Lay people are Christians who are baptized, but not ordained. In the Anglican Church, the laity is sometimes colloquially called a "fourth order" of ministry. According to the Catechism found in the American Book of Common Prayer: The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church. --BCP p. 855