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PROCLAIM the WORD! Training Lay Ministers of the Word An Overview The objective of the Minister of the Word (lector) is not merely to be an interesting oral reader of the Bible; it is to provide effective proclamation of God’s Word in Scripture. Almost any level of an individual’s public speaking skills is acceptable as a starting point. Effective proclamation of the Scriptures depends on the quality of how the lector prepares to minister to his or her fellow disciples in the Assembly. This preparation includes three areas: a. Sensitivity to the personal meaning and significance of the specific Scriptural passage being In most church communities training for Ministers of the Word seldom means more than “orientation.” It is assumed that providing time for “new” lectors to learn the mechanics of microphone usage, protocols to be observed when approaching or around the altar area, as well as some type of preparation materials (i.e., Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers [LTP]) is adequate “training.” It may also include some type of annual session consisting of attempts to combine spiritual development with useful or insightful commentary from a guest speaker. Rarely do parishes provide a consistent, intentional, specific effort of ongoing training for lectors that reflects the skill and attitudinal sets to be developed and sustained by the lay people involved in the ministry. Further, there is almost no recognition of the differences in training needs that can exist between “new” lectors and veteran, “seasoned” lectors. No doubt one reason for all of this is due to the busy schedules the clergy have. Another involves the availability of volunteer lay persons willing to be responsible for leading such ministries. A third reason is the assumption that existing lectors can train themselves as needed. But an overwhelming reason seems to be the absence of easy-to-use, documented training materials designed as a complete program for the leader of the ministry to use with lectors as a group. This last reason has now been addressed! It is this area of easy-to-use training materials for groups of lectors that we have been focusing on and that LECTORSPROCLAIM.ORG intends to concentrate on. The approach to lector training we describe was developed and refined in several parishes in Georgia and Texas. The author, Gene Hayes, is a former public school teacher and administrator, software applications consultant and user trainer, and commercial educational software business executive and owner. He has been a lector since the late 1970’s, including experience as a director and trainer of parish Ministers of the Word in several widely separated parts of the country. A description of two documented training programs is presented on the following pages A printed copy of each program, along with a CD of all files used in the manuals, Contact us: |