There are approximately 10,000 Readers in the Church of England, many serving in parishes, taking services and preaching as well as doing pastoral work, while others engage in a variety of other roles. In recent years many dioceses have put a strong emphasis on accredited lay ministry alongside the ministry of clergy.

2016 is the 150th anniversary of Reader Ministry in the Church of England, and there will be celebrations around this. Instruments of Christ's Love, written by two experienced teachers working with Readers and supporting Reader ministry, offers a fresh look at Reader ministry and thus a resource for Readers to consider their own specific ministry as well as for those exploring Reader ministry as a possible vocation.