Book of Common Prayer
What can we learn from early Christian imagery about the theological meaning of baptism? Robin Jensen, a leading scholar of early Christian art and worship, examines multiple dimensions of the early Christian baptismal rite. She explores five models for understanding baptism--as cleansing from sin, sickness, and Satan; as incorporation into the community; as sanctifying and illuminative; as death and regeneration; and as the beginning of the new creation--showing how visual images, poetic langua...
Prayer seems like it should be so simple. Yet, when it comes to actually praying, so often it feels awkward and complicated. The truth is, prayer is simple. It's like talking. Talking with a good friend. Down-to-earth pastor Adam Weber offers an accessible, hopeful approach to one of life's greatest mysteries: talking with God. Now with a brand new bonus chapter and in paperback. This is a book on prayer for the person who longs to connect with God, but doesn't really know how. It's a book for...
Michael Perham was an influential liturgist and priest who shaped the worship of the Church of England as we know it today. This collection brings together the very best of his unpublished writings to offer inspiring reflections on the seasons of the Christian year. From Advent to Christ the King, Michael Perham shares his passion for the worship and its ability to draw us into God's presence. He explores how celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus opens us to growth and to change...
Public worship is core to the Church's identity: public worship nurtures and shapes the faithful; public worship plays a central role in forming new disciples; public worship is the shop window through which those on the outside may see the Church at work; public worship, in the form of baptisms, weddings, and funerals, may reach out into the wider community in acts of service and mission. Everyday Public Worship has been designed to engage with the ordinary experience and ordinary theology o...
Doorways to the Sacred (Ancient Faith, Future Mission)
by Ian Mobsby and Phil Potter
Fresh Expressions of Church are key aspect of mission strategy for many denominations in the UK and beyond. Here, a stellar line-up of writers explores the central question of how Fresh Expressions turn from mission projects into authentic forms of church, developing a sacramental life of their own. Chapters include: * Lucy Moore on Messy Church and Holy Communion * Graham Cray on the sacraments for the unchurched * Jonathan Clark on baptism and mission * John Drane on seeing the world as s...
How would the history of Roman Catholic worship look if it were viewed first from the perspective of the "people in the pews" rather than through the deliberations of popes and church councils or the writings of theologians? How did the "common people" down through the ages understand what they were doing when they came together in worship-and was this understanding always the same as the "official" interpretation of the church authorities? In Local Worship, Global Church, Mark Francis explores...
Shared ritual practices, multi-faith celebrations, and interreligious prayers are becoming increasingly common in the USA and Europe as more people experience religious diversity first hand. While ritual participation can be seen as a powerful expression of interreligious solidarity, it also carries with it challenges of a particularly sensitive nature. Though celebrating and worshiping together can enhance interreligious relations, cross-riting may also lead some believers to question whether i...