lay reader

English

Noun

lay reader (plural lay readers)

(religion) A person who is not ordained but is appointed to lead Church services.
- 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 80:
  The Sabbath with us was literally a day of rest. The doctor, who was a licensed lay reader, read the service, and we managed to form a choir, composed of my sister and those of the staff who cared to join it.

Usage notes

This term is used by Episcopal Churches whilst the Anglican Church uses just "Reader".

See also

Lay preacher
Lay speaker in the United Methodist Church (USA).
Local preacher in the UK Methodist Church and the Uniting Church in Australia.

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