If you go to almost any parish church, one will discover lay readers, extraordinary ministers of various stripes, and even, sorry to say, liturgical dancerettes. And now, in the new, new world, "female acolytes" (actually, female altar servers).
But have you ever met an actual, instituted acolyte or lector? How about abolishing everything else and admitting only two lay liturgical ministries (reserved for men over the age of eighteen).
- Acolyte = (straw) Subdeacon
- Lector = Parish Clerk/MC
Both would wear amice, alb, and cincture (with no maniple) -- tunics even, in non-penitential seasons. These could be of a very simple design, if desired.
This would bring both contemporary theory and primitive practice into line (and abolish eccentricities).
As a craven Anglican, I would also allow one lay pastoral ministry for women -- Deaconess -- so long as it would keep them out of the sanctuary. But, of course, fat chance of this or any other improvements being actually forthcoming, as we descend, instead, into anarchy.
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