It happens a lot. I use a tree to illustrate the wood (forest), and people focus on the particular tree. Sometimes the particular tree is actually worth focusing on. This tree, I think, is worth its own look. The question that I am now interested in is: where and in what contexts are clergy wearing
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, (Matthew 2:1) Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας, ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρώδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, From a liturgical point of view, we are now in a
The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation by Rod Dreher I have possibly come late to The Benedict Option conversation. I am not sure that I’ve been missing as much as some might have implied. Rod Dreher calls for a “strategic withdrawal” from mainstream society, and terms this “the Benedict Option”.
In the first post in this series, I proposed thinking of the rules of liturgy (the rubrics) more as being descriptive than prescriptive. I am following a model that sees liturgy (its actions, signs, gestures, and words) as being akin to language. Good language follows certain rules so that we are intelligible and communicate with
I recently watched a sermon on a video. The video has had over five thousand views. On the video, you see quite a small congregation in a largish church building. I got in touch with the preacher and asked how many were present. 65. There is a parable in those numbers. If you want to
“Do you use a projector?” she asked. Some will remember the days when Anglicans could get a good idea of a person’s worship style by whether he (yes in those days it was a “he”) wore a chasuble. Now, for many people, contemporary worship is determined by the use of a projector screen. No screen
Someone recently sent me an article with the title “One in six young people are Christian as visits to church buildings inspire them to convert” about a study that indicates that for young people a visit to a cathedral or church building has been more significant in their decision to become a Christian than, say,
Let us pray (in silence) [that we praise, reverence, and serve God] pause Lord, may we always love and revere your Holy Name, for you never fail to help and guide those you establish firmly in your love; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
