A Rite on the Edge: The Language of Baptism and Christening in the Church of England

by Sarah Lawrence

Overview

• Addresses the commonly felt, but little addressed, pastoral problem of the mismatch in understandings of the nature of the rite of baptism between churchgoers and non-churchgoers. • Based on extensive research into attitudes to the rite of baptism present in the language of churchgoers and non-churchgoers in English culture. • Introducing a new methodological framework for theological reflection in practical theology. Linguistic research enables access to attitudes to the rite of baptism which are often unexamined and unstated, which exist in the background of English culture. • Findings of empirical research into language are reflected upon theologically and sociologically from the perspective of a practitioner of parish ministry. • The findings of this research are anticipated by many in the world of practical theology, due to the presentations delivered by the author during the course of her doctoral studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780334058502
Publisher:	Hymns Ancient & Modern
Publication date:	10/30/2019
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

"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

"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