Opening the Prayer Book (New Church's Teaching Series) [Paperback]

Jeffrey Lee (Author)

Book Description

Series: New Church's Teaching Series | Publication Date: January 25, 1999

What Roger Ferlo did for the Bible in Opening the Bible, volume 2 of The New Church’s Teaching Series, Jeffrey Lee now does for the prayer book in volume 7 of the series. Opening the Prayer Book introduces us to the history and liturgies of The Book of Common Prayer, and helps us understand why the prayer book is such an important aspect of Anglican self-understanding. Lee begins with the fundamental question, “What is common prayer?” He explores some of the ways in which our worship according to The Book of Common Prayer affects who we are as a church, and the way it shapes our lives of faith. In chapter 2 Lee turns to the development of patterns of liturgy from the time of Jesus to the Reformation, tracing changes in the primary liturgies of baptism, eucharist, and daily prayer. The American prayer book is the focus of chapter 3, from the earliest revisions in the new nation through the liturgical scholarship that led to the substantial theological and liturgical changes in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Chapter 4 begins a survey of the pages of the prayer book itself. Lee examines in particular the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter, baptism and eucharist, and the daily office, with a view to understanding the way the parts of the services are rooted in the historical prayers of the church and at the same time reflect the living tradition of Christians today. This theme is further developed in chapter 5, which focuses on the prayer book and our common life. Here Lee discusses questions of how a common prayer book can be responsive to a growing variety of pastoral situations and diverse cultures in a fast-changing world. The final chapter addresses the future of the prayer book within the Anglican Communion, in light of demands for further revision and for greater freedom to adapt the prayer book to local needs and beliefs. As with each book in The New Church’s Teaching Series, recommended resources for further reading and questions for discussion are included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

There is much good in the newest volume of the New Church’s Teaching Series. . . . Fr. Lee writes a readable history of the genesis of the prayer book. We follow the development of Christian liturgy from its beginnings through the Reformation, with a good summary of American revisions to the prayer book. Readers find insightful pictures of the author’s pastoral ministry and experiences with the BCP. (The Living Church )

There is much good in the newest volume of the New Church’s Teaching Series. . . . Fr. Lee writes a readable history of the genesis of the prayer book. We follow the development of Christian liturgy from its beginnings through the Reformation, with a good summary of American revisions to the prayer book. Readers find insightful pictures of the author’s pastoral ministry and experiences with the BCP. (The Living Church )

Anticipating a diverse readership, not one composed of ‘cradle Episcopalians,’ this series intends to address those ‘who want to know what Anglicanism has to offer’ (General Editor’s Introduction, p. xii). This being so, one is gratified to find in Jeffrey Lee’s volume a readable and easily paced exposition of matters both complex and dear—complex because of the times we live in and dear because common prayer is heartwork for most Anglicans, ‘cradle’ or otherwise. . . . I expect that this book will prove useful to parish study groups as well as to individual readers. The conversations set loose in these groups will serve well the liturgical education of the congregations where this book is considered, and where these ‘students’ pray in common. (William Seth Adams )

About the Author

Jeffrey Lee is an Episcopal priest who has served parishes in Wisconsin and Indiana. A speaker, retreat and conference leader with a particular interest in liturgy, he is also active in the renewal of the diaconate, publishing articles and serving on the board of the North American Association for the Diaconate.

Jeffrey Lee is an Episcopal priest who has served parishes in Wisconsin and Indiana. A speaker, retreat and conference leader with a particular interest in liturgy, he is also active in the renewal of the diaconate, publishing articles and serving on the board of the North American Association for the Diaconate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Cowley Publications (January 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561011665
• ISBN-13: 978-1561011667
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Episcopalian > Book of Common Prayer
  • #85 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Anglican

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for any Episcopalian!, March 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Opening the Prayer Book (New Church's Teaching Series) (Paperback)

This is a very reader friendly book concerning one of the most essential parts of the Episcopal Church, and that is the Book of Common Prayer. As an Episcopalian, this book has refreshed my knowledge on the prayer book and has taught me things I either forgot or didn't know. Common prayer is something we cherish as Episcopalians. It is something that unites us all and at the same time, it shows our commitment as followers of Christ by actively participaing in prayer and the liturgies. We have studied this book in our adult Sunday school class and I have enjoyed every minute of it. A must read for any Episcopalian or anyone interested in the prayer book and the Episcopal Church.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A celebration of ordered freedom, March 9, 2002

By 

Charles S. Houser (Binghamton, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opening the Prayer Book (New Church's Teaching Series) (Paperback)

Much of this book seems to be a set-up for the last chapter in which Lee predicts that the 1979 Book of Common Prayer will most likely be the LAST revision of this classic of the Anglican worship tradition. He assures us that the influence of the BCP will continue to mold that tradition, but that the tradition will continue to expand, embracing multicultural influences, new views on sexuality, and the evolving dominance of nonprint media. Lee refutes charges that Epicopalians' reliance on their Book limits their expression of faith and spends several chapters helpfully explicating its various liturgies. Along the way, he provides a brief (too brief, by my accounting) history of how the BCP/1979 came to be, including discussion of the influence of the Scottish prayer books of 1637 and 1764, early efforts to reintroduce ancient forms of worship based on scholarly research on the liturgy. In the end, Lee eloquently affirms, "We ask the liturgy to bear an enormous weight of meaning. Good ritual that is capable of bearing such weight depends on a certain familiarity so that the forms, actions, and texts can become vehicles for the meaning they embody. If members of the assembly have to wonder what is going to happen THIS Sunday morning, it can lessen their ability to worship. If they have to worry about getting the words right...they may be less free to encounter the Mystery of Christ in those words" (p. 164).

This book is just one of thirteen titles in The New Church's Teaching Series, a series that sets out to explain key Episcopalian positions on the practices, beliefs, and role of the church. Intended primarily for Episcopalians, I think Lutherans and Catholics will relate to many of the opinions expressed in these books. I strongly recommend the ones on the Bible: Opening the Bible by Roger Ferlo and Engaging the Word by Michael Johnston.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very user friendly book!, October 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Opening the Prayer Book (New Church's Teaching Series) (Paperback)

This is a very user friendly book. Mr. Lee's writing is very clear for the average lay person. As a cradled Episcopalian (born and raised in the Episcopal Church) I learned so much about the book I use every week. It is a wonderful resource and great teaching tool. Thanks for clarifying and expanding upon our church's prayer book!