Title: The Rite Stuff – Ritual in contemporary Christian worship and mission
Author / Editor: Pete Ward (editor)

Ritual is having something of a revival in church, as some Christians start to explore ways of prayer and worship from more ancient traditions. In the past ritual has sometimes been derided as ‘empty”, but in fact it focuses meaning. It can help our worship be ecstatic but also rooted in daily life. It can help us express our feelings for fellow believers and at the same time lift us into the presence of our God.

The book contains an introduction by Pete Ward and seven chapters:

1. Jeremy Fletcher, Text, authority and ritual in the Church of England
2. Maggi Dawn, The Art of Liturgy
3. Pete Ward, Personalised Ritual
4. Anthony Reddie, Black styles, rituals and mission for the 21st Century
5. Ana Draper, How insights from psychology and spirituality operate in Christian worship
6. Mike Riddell, Deep Currents of the Heart
7. Jonny Baker, Ritual as strategic practice

This book is a follow up to Mass Culture (BRF 1999), which looked at the Communion service and its continued significance for worship and mission in today’s culture. In The Rite Stuff each chapter explores a different aspect of ritual and faith. The range of these discussions is quite wide, but the unifying factor is the growing appreciation of the significance of ritual for worship and spirituality in postmodernity.

Pete Ward is Lecturer in Youth Ministry and Theological Education at King’s College, London. His books include Liquid Church (Paternoster 2002), Growing up Evangelical (SPCK 1996) and Youthwork and the Mission of God (SPCK 1997).

Paperback
Bible Reading Fellowship 21/05/2004
ISBN: 1841012270

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars