There is a growing (if not urgent) need for those being trained for ordained (and lay) ministry to be provided with a more solid grounding in liturgical principles, and Simon Reynolds seeks to address this by demonstrating how good liturgical leadership can be the foundation from which all other theological, historical, pastoral and missiological issues arise.

Simon Reynolds

Table Manners

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Does it Matter?

Challenges and Opportunities

1 Enchantment or Entertainment? The Challenge and Potential of the Contemporary Liturgical Culture

A Culture of Competence?

Ecumenical Perspectives

Anglican Reticence

A Culture of 'Liturgiophobia'?

Confidence or Crisis?

Patterns of Ministry Training

Public Significance

The 'Social Capital' of Liturgy

Ritual Embarrassment: The Influence of Modernity on Western Culture

Recovering a Suppressed Dimension

Do You See?

Technology and Anonymity

What Does it Mean?

Inclinations

More than 'Here and Now'

More than 'Me'

Entertainment Transfigured by Enchantment?

2 Temple or Home, Table or Altar, Supper or Sacrifice? Tradition in Transition

Perceptions of Tradition

Supper at the Table?

No Last Supper on Maundy Thursday?

Chicken and Egg: Dual Origins?

Weekly or Annually?

Sacrifice in the Temple?

Formal or Improvised? Fixed or Fluid?

Temple Altar or Kitchen Table?

Temple and Church in Early Christian Consciousness

Re-Imagining Presidency in the Light of Historical Discovery

3 Speech and Silence: The Possibilities and Limits of Language

Physical and Cultural

Unconventional Poetry

The Compulsion to 'Explain'

Insecurity and Textual 'Tweaking'

Infantile Explanation?

Imposition?

Improvisation

The Weight of Words

Relational Language

The Limiting Impact of Technology

Words and their Context

Words in a Pictorial World

Silence

4 Hearts and Hands and Voices: When Words are Never Enough

Language and Gesture

Gesture as Authentic Expression

Two Basic Movements

Shared Basics

Making Welcome

Prayer

Invoking

Together

From the Beginning

Sitting Target

Footwork

Blessing

Crossing Predispositions

Voicing Creation's Praise and Humanity's Lament

And Also With You

Discernment

Stewards of the Mysteries

5 Poetic Space: Inhabiting the Liturgical Environment

Complexity and Accessibility

Examples of Contrasting Shapes and Purpose

Vertical and Horizontal

Church as 'Synagogue'

Church as 'Temple'

Furnishing Essentials

A Sedentary Calling: The Presidential Chair

The Word Made Flesh: The Lectern, Ambo or Pulpit

'The Brittle Miracle of the Bread':10 The Sacrificial Table

Restated Refreshment: The Font

Colour

A Place of Epiphany

Empty Potential

6 Practising the Scales of Rejoicing: Shaping a Liturgical and Presidential Instinct

Worship

Cultivating Attentive Silence

Embodying Paradox

A Singing Voice

Again and Again . . .

Forming the Heart: Choosing our Companions

Hospitality and Feasting

Thankfulness

Bibliography

There is a growing (if not urgent) need for those being trained for ordained (and lay) ministry to be provided with a more solid grounding in liturgical principles, and Simon Reynolds seeks to address this by demonstrating how good liturgical leadership can be the foundation from which all other theological, historical, pastoral and missiological issues arise. Table Manners attempts to avoid being a 'party' book and will consciously avoid issues of churchmanship (except in pointing to what is positive in the various Christian traditions). Rather, it is written from the conviction that (i) a proper understanding of the Eucharist, and a theologically-informed approach to celebrating it (even if this manifests itself in many different styles), should mean that worshippers can go to churches of an unfamiliar tradition and yet still be caught up in the action, because what is essential and enlarging about good liturgical celebration would be recognisable; and (ii) that the success of presidency also demands the liturgical education of the whole people of God, because until they know what to ask for, their expectations will remain constrained.

Table Manners offers a unique contribution to liturgical theory of practice. Simon begins with historical origins and tradition and then moves us on to the present day. He shows how words, symbols and actions, combined with a poetic understanding of the liturgy, can lead us and all with whom we work and pray into the heart of God. His subtle understanding of gestures and the use of silence, and his perceptive comments on the use of liturgical space, make this book indispensable for all who preside at the eucharist. -- Stephen Platten Table Manners challenges us to attend more seriously and imaginatively to the quality of worship. In issuing the challenge, Simon Reynolds asks questions that cover the spectrum of theological viewpoint and social context. Our response should be carefully considered, if we are to be serious about the authenticity of our witness and mission, and our individual life in Christ. Reynolds has a passion for the elements that any liturgy draws upon; words, music, movement, relationship, participation, environment. As a persistent asker of questions, Simon Reynolds prompts us into the recognition of ordinary human experience as the vehicle of revelation. Here are questions that should should regularly be on the agenda of every institution training people for ordained and lay ministry, every PCC and diocesan Synod. -- Martin Warner This is a fascinating, lucid, passionately argued exploration of why our church worship is so poorly done. Should be compulsory for all who lead worship and all who complain about it. -- Angela Tilby

Simon Reynolds is a parish priest in Farnham in Surrey.

• No other similar publication, from an English Anglican perspective, exists. • Meets a perceived growing need in the formation of Anglican ordinands and lay ministers. • Written from the author's experience of parish and cathedral ministry. • A contribution to the Fresh Expressions/Mission-Shaped debate by demonstrating how well–ordered liturgical worship (and the quality of liturgical presidency) is foundational to mission in 'Parish-Shaped' contexts.

Table Manners offers a unique contribution to liturgical theory of practice. Simon begins with historical origins and tradition and then moves us on to the present day. He shows how words, symbols and actions, combined with a poetic understanding of the liturgy, can lead us and all with whom we work and pray into the heart of God. His subtle understanding of gestures and the use of silence, and his perceptive comments on the use of liturgical space, make this book indispensable for all who preside at the eucharist.

This is a fascinating, lucid, passionately argued exploration of why our church worship is so poorly done. Should be compulsory for all who lead worship and all who complain about it.

Table Manners challenges us to attend more seriously and imaginatively to the quality of worship. In issuing the challenge, Simon Reynolds asks questions that cover the spectrum of theological viewpoint and social context. Our response should be carefully considered, if we are to be serious about the authenticity of our witness and mission, and our individual life in Christ. Reynolds has a passion for the elements that any liturgy draws upon; words, music, movement, relationship, participation, environment. As a persistent asker of questions, Simon Reynolds prompts us into the recognition of ordinary human experience as the vehicle of revelation. Here are questions that should should regularly be on the agenda of every institution training people for ordained and lay ministry, every PCC and diocesan Synod.

There is a growing need for those being trained for ordained (and lay) ministry to be provided with a more solid grounding in liturgical principles, and Simon Reynolds seeks to address this by demonstrating how good liturgical leadership can be the foundation from which all other theological, historical, pastoral and missiological issues arise.

1\. Enchantment or Entertainment? The Challenge and Potential of the Contemporary Liturgical Culture 2. Temple or Home, Table or Altar, Supper or Sacrifice? Tradition in Transition 3. Speech and Silence: The Possibilities of Limits of Language 4. Hearts and Hands and Voices: When Words are Never Enough 5. Poetic Space: Inhabiting the Liturgical Environment 6. Practising the Scales of Rejoicing: Shaping a Liturgical and Presidential Instinct

"Table Manners" by Simon Reynolds explores liturgical leadership for ordained and lay ministry. It emphasises Eucharistic understanding and educates worshippers for diverse traditions.

\["For those training in ordained or lay ministry", "Addresses the need for solid liturgical understanding", "You will enhance your church's worship experience"\]

This book equips leaders with essential liturgical principles for the Church.

Liturgical Leadership for the Mission of the Church

Navigation Bar

Header Default

Download the Christian360 App to read eBooks and listen to Audiobooks bought at Christian360

Download the App

Table Manners

Description

Need support?

Customer reviews

Download the App

Download the App