This is an example
of the real strength of the Alcuin Club, it provides a truly
comprehensive guide to the current liturgical provision for Baptism,
and other rites of initiation, within the Church of England. It
provides a mix of theological reflection and practical guidance.
There are a lot of
“how to” guides written, but they generally look to innovate
without providing the baseline practice. This guide helps us
understand what the ordinary practice of Baptism should be like, what
it should be like when it is at its best. In many cases I tend to
feel that we feel the need to innovate more because we do the
ordinary badly rather than because the ordinary can not provide for
the community or people we wish to engage.
Also I would suggest
that we mostly find things within the liturgy cold or clunky because
we have failed to understand their purpose – and if we (those
engaged in preparing and leading the liturgy) haven't understood why
we are doing things, what chance do those coming to receive the
liturgy have. I don't think that an encounter with the liturgy
depends on any prior theological knowledge or understanding – if
liturgy has integrity it should be self-explanatory (and by that I
definitely do not mean that each liturgical action should be
explained – meaning should be communicated through the action not
separate from it – much like jokes, liturgy you “have” to
explain has essentially failed).
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