Worship That Cares: An Introduction to Pastoral Liturgy

Worship That Cares: An Introduction to Pastoral Liturgy

by Mark Earey (Author)

Synopsis

Worship that Cares is in introduction to the principles and skills of `pastoral liturgy'. It offers an overview of the ways that worship can be a means of pastoral care, such as ways that Sunday worship can extend care to those who attend, but is focused on those acts of worship which begin with a particular pastoral need. It goes on to consider how the principles which underlie these `standard' rites can also be applied to what might be considered `new' pastoral contexts or needs (such as rites to mark retirement etc.) and those situations which are not acknowledged in church circles (such as divorce etc.). A final chapter discusses ways that the church can move out into the community, offering `apt liturgy' to help community groups to mark crises and joys with non-churchy rituals which nonetheless help people to connect with a world beyond themselves, with the divine and with the Christian story. Mark Earey provides a toolkit of principles and skills which can be applied across different denominations and Christian traditions, in both formal and informal contexts, and to meet traditional and non-traditional pastoral needs

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 224
Publisher: SCM Press
Published: 29 Apr 2013

ISBN 10: 0334044111
ISBN 13: 9780334044116
Book Overview: Worship that Cares reveals Mark Earey as a skilful and generous teacher. He has produced a splendid guide to the Church's pastoral rites, musing on how they enable people to experience God's love and the church's pastoral care. Drawing from his own considerable pastoral experience as well as his years of teaching people how to use the church's liturgy, he sets out a whole range of pastoral possibilities from Birth rituals though Marriage, Wholeness and Healing to Death, charting their theological and anthropological background as well as their sociological and implications. He explains in clear terms how the rites 'work', and then like the good teacher that he is, allows the reader to weigh up the possibilities and make informed choices about how they will balance the church's provision with their pastoral responsibilities and opportunities. It is a model of how to approach these questions in an increasingly demanding yet frequently ill-informed society, which longs to find meaning in life and the best for their nearest and dearest. David Stancliffe Formerly Bishop of Salisbury and Chairman of The Liturgical Commission of the Church of England

Media Reviews
Worship that Cares reveals Mark Earey as a skilful and generous teacher. He has produced a splendid guide to the Church's pastoral rites, musing on how they enable people to experience God's love and the church's pastoral care. Drawing from his own considerable pastoral experience as well as his years of teaching people how to use the church's liturgy, he sets out a whole range of pastoral possibilities from Birth rituals though Marriage, Wholeness and Healing to Death, charting their theological and anthropological background as well as their sociological and implications. He explains in clear terms how the rites `work', and then like the good teacher that he is, allows the reader to weigh up the possibilities and make informed choices about how they will balance the church's provision with their pastoral responsibilities and opportunities. It is a model of how to approach these questions in an increasingly demanding yet frequently ill-informed society, which longs to find meaning in life and the best for their nearest and dearest. David Stancliffe Formerly Bishop of Salisbury and Chairman of The Liturgical Commission of the Church of England
'Worship that cares', presents a challenge to the church in being true to God's mission in the world to pay careful attention to the value of 'pastoral liturgies'. Mark Earey sets out an easily accessible and well developed case, both from a thorough understand of other sources and his practical experience as a parish minister. We are reminded of the basics of liturgy in our Sunday worship: then offered a `toolkit' to work with. Clearly an aid to all who wrestle to connect pastoral moments and mission.' -- Bill Anderson
Drawing upon pastoral experience and with an educator's eye for clarity and theoretical rigour, Earey's discussion of the pastoral dimensions of public worship is a tour de force in practical theology. Those concerned for the spiritual welfare of their church and neighbourhood will find in this book a map to organise their reflection on liturgical practice and a stimulating vision of the transformative wisdom of ritual. -- James Steven
If Earey's book were to be placed into the hands of authorised ministers who then read, marked, learned and inwardly digested it, there could be a mini revolution in the way in which pastoral care is offered in these islands. It is that good. -- David Deboys
This is a fascinating, practical book, marinated in good sense and pastoral wisdom. It is very accessible, though that is in no way to imply that it is not well-researched and bursting with insights into what it is like to be a minister in the modem world. If mission is increasingly about hospitality, particularly in a worshipping context, then this is a most timely contribution in helping us all to understand the context in which liturgy must set out its stall today. -- John Beer
Author Bio
Revd Mark Earey is a former parish priest and Praxis National Education Officer. He is now Director of Anglican Formation and tutor in Liturgy and Worship at the Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham. He is a member of the Church of England Liturgical Commission, and Chair of the Group for Renewal of Worship (GROW, the group behind Grove Worship Booklets).