Ministry in the Highland Countries: Lay Readership and Ordained Ministry in the Swiss Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland.

This article examines the diverse understandings and practices of lay readership and ordained ministry within the Swiss Reformed Church, highlighting regional variations in training, duties, and recognition of non-stipendiary lay readers. It compares the Swiss approach with that of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which distinguishes clearly between commissioned lay readers and ordained local ministers, both with defined roles and standardized training. The article argues that broadening the Swiss concept of ordained ministry to include non-stipendiary ordained roles, similar to Scotland’s model, could clarify ministry profiles, better address local needs, and align with ecumenical recommendations that ordination be linked to the proclamation of word and sacraments. It concludes by identifying key questions for the Swiss church regarding ministry nomenclature, education, and the relationship between stipendiary and non-stipendiary ministries, proposing that a more unified and theologically grounded framework would strengthen the church’s future mission.