This book traces the office of Reader from 1561 in the reign of Elizabeth I to the present day throughout the Commonwealth, and is in particular a celebration of the 125 years since the revival of the ministry. Rhoda Hiscox brings his judgement to bear on the various issues involved and challenges the Church to face them: questions of selection and training of Readers, non-stipendary ordained ministry and the ecumenical dimension and the need for change. This makes a critical study of Readers and of the attitudes of laity and clergy to Reader ministry, reflecting the reluctance of the institutional Church to take seriously the "priesthood of all believers".