The Lay Reader is the member of the laity. They are licensed by the Bishop to read the lessons and to conduct certain services in the absent of the Deacon or Priest. They can also administer the Chalice at Holy Communion when licensed.
In Christianity, a lay person who is authorized to conduct portions of worship services not requiring an ordained member of the clergy.
A nonordained person who reads part of a church service, who reads the prayers and who also may administer the chalice at the Eucharist.
Any non-ordained person who participates in reading part of a church service. In some churches Lay Readers are officially recognized as a special group assisting in church services; A person licensed by the Bishop to read the lessons at the Eucharist or at the Daily Offices and who may assist the celebrant or officiant in other ways; if specifically licensed by the Bishop, may administer the chalice at Communion.
(DOD) A volunteer ("lay leader" in Army and Air Force; "lay reader" in Navy and Marine Corps) appointed by the commanding officer and supervised and trained by the command chaplain to serve for a period of time to meet the needs of a particular religious faith group when their military chaplains are not available. The lay leader or lay reader may conduct services, but may not exercise any other activities usually reserved for the ordained clergy.
A Lay Reader (or sometimes simply Reader) is a layperson authorized by a bishop of the Anglican church to read some parts of a service of worship. Anglican lay readers are licensed by the bishop to a particular parish or to the diocese at large. In the former case, in some areas, their tenure expires with the resignation of the parish priest.