The grounds of West Malling campus, St Augustine's College of Theology. A large old building surrounded by grass.

Lead worship, teach, and preach in your parish

Have you always wanted to lead worship or share the word of God with the people in your community? If so, Reader training might be exactly the path you’ve been looking for.

At St Augustine’s College of Theology, we offer Licensed Lay Ministry Training in partnership with the dioceses of Canterbury and Southwark. In this blog post, you’ll learn what a lay reader is and if it’s right for you.

What is a Reader?

A Reader (also known as a Licensed Lay Minister) is an authorised, trained lay person within the Church of England who can lead worship, preach, teach, and carry out pastoral work within their parish. It’s a meaningful calling, and one that sits at the heart of local Church life.

They’re the people who support local vicars and priests, and make Scripture relevant to those around them. It’s a role that demands both theological grounding and a love of people.

A group of five people, four women and one man. They are indoors sitting down and listening to a talk.

What does Licensed Lay Ministry Training involve?

Reader training at St Augustine’s College of Theology leads to a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Theology, Ministry and Mission – a Level 4 qualification validated by Durham University. Your diocese fully funds the course, so you pay no fees.

The programme runs part-time over two years and is designed to fit around your everyday life. You don’t need any previous academic experience to apply – just a passion for ministry and approval from your diocese.

You can study at our West Malling campus in Kent, our Central London campus near London Bridge, or entirely online via Zoom – making the course accessible wherever you are.

Over two years, you’ll explore a varied range of subjects, including:

  • Biblical Studies
  • Church History
  • Spirituality and Discipleship
  • Christian Worship and Doctrine
  • Preaching and Pastoral Care
  • How to read and apply the Bible to – among much more. 

You’ll also attend four study days every academic year, building a diverse community with fellow students on the same journey.

  • Hear from Thomas Sharp, Lay Ministry Lead at St Augustine’s College of Theology. He talks about his role in developing teaching for lay ministry and independent students – including chaplains, pastors, pioneers, readers, and worship leaders.

What our students say

The warmth of the St Augustine’s learning community is something students return to again and again. Graham, a Reader, said:

“Over the course of my Lay Reader training at St Augustine’s, there was not one single day when I woke up thinking ‘I really don’t want to be going into college this morning.'”

Another student said: “For anyone called by God, I would thoroughly recommend Lay Reader Training at St Augustine’s. You meet and learn from the most amazing people.” 

Want to learn more about becoming a Reader?

If you’re exploring whether Reader training is right for you, come along to a free Taster Day at St Augustine’s. They run every few weeks in West Malling and London, and you can book your place here or via the button below.

Not quite ready to commit? A 12-week Taster Term is a great way to get a feel for study at St Augustine’s before you decide. But if you’re ready to enrol, you can find the Licensed Lay Ministry application here.

We look forward to welcoming you to St Augustine’s College of Theology.