A Rite on the Edge
The Language of Baptism and Christening in the Church of England
Published on 30. October 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-334-05850-2 (ISBN)
Description
When it comes to baptism there is a profound disconnect between what churches and clergy understand it to mean and the understanding of those non-churchgoing families seeking the rite for their children. Clergy and regular churchgoers feel that the church is being used and abused by families seeking a baptism, when they perceive them to be looking for 'just an excuse for a party'. On the other hand, families seeking a christening in their local churches are baffled by the lack of enthusiasm and encouragement they find when they approach their local church.
Using a new interdisciplinary approach to practical theology, A Rite on the Edge reflects theologically on the findings of research conducted by Sarah Lawrence into baptism in the Church of England and in English culture more widely, using insights and research methods from corpus linguistics.
It offers a profound challenge for those struggling to comprehend how 'outsiders' understand baptism. More fundamentally, it asks how the Church of England can remain 'present and available for all' at a time of heightened tensions and confused expectations about who the church is 'for'.
Using a new interdisciplinary approach to practical theology, A Rite on the Edge reflects theologically on the findings of research conducted by Sarah Lawrence into baptism in the Church of England and in English culture more widely, using insights and research methods from corpus linguistics.
It offers a profound challenge for those struggling to comprehend how 'outsiders' understand baptism. More fundamentally, it asks how the Church of England can remain 'present and available for all' at a time of heightened tensions and confused expectations about who the church is 'for'.
Reviews / Votes
"This collection of stimulating and disturbing chapters should provoke vitally important exchanges and conversations between every person responsible for taking a lead in liturgy and those who think they know what 'ecclesiology' is all about." -- Ann Loades, Honorary Professorial Fellow of St. Chad's College and Professor Emerita in Divinity at the University of Durham, UK "An invaluable book. Scholarly, yet hugely accessible, theological, yet rooted I practice, it helps us think about the language we use in church and how that language is heard by those who want to be in touch, but don't yet have the words. It challenges presuppositions and raises important questions. The Church of England still meets thousands of families who choose to ask for a christening, and this book will help churches make positive responses as these families begin their faith journey. Sarah's work reinforces all that the Life Events team have discovered in the past 5 years - that if we want to make connections with a new generation of families, we will need to re-think language and let that re-thinking inform welcome and worship." -- Canon Sandra Miller, Head of Life Events, Church of EnglandMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
278 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-334-05850-2 (9780334058502)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2013
1st Edition
SCM Press
€21.99
Available for download
Person
Revd Dr Sarah Lawrence is a Priest in the Church of England, having served parishes in Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Anglesey over the past ten years.
Content
Foreword
List of figures vi
Introduction vii
1. The problem of 'baptism' and 'christening' 1
2. What's in a word? 6
3. The history of 'baptism' and 'christening' in the English language 17
4. Christening, baptism and the giving of a name 41
5. Marriage-like vows 59
6. Godparents 72
7. 'Just an excuse for a party': Joy and celebration in baptism 83
8. Yes, but is it really Christian baptism? 88
9. Whose Church is it anyway? 101
10. Reintroducing 'christening' to Christian approaches to baptism 120
Appendix 1: A note on methodology 130
Appendix 2: Corpora consulted 133
Bibliography 143
List of figures vi
Introduction vii
1. The problem of 'baptism' and 'christening' 1
2. What's in a word? 6
3. The history of 'baptism' and 'christening' in the English language 17
4. Christening, baptism and the giving of a name 41
5. Marriage-like vows 59
6. Godparents 72
7. 'Just an excuse for a party': Joy and celebration in baptism 83
8. Yes, but is it really Christian baptism? 88
9. Whose Church is it anyway? 101
10. Reintroducing 'christening' to Christian approaches to baptism 120
Appendix 1: A note on methodology 130
Appendix 2: Corpora consulted 133
Bibliography 143