Holy Hospitality

Worship and the Baptismal Covenant

Clayton L. Morris

• Publisher: Church Publishing
• Year: 2005
• Print ISBN: 9780898693591
• eBook ISBN: 9780898697292
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Rituals & Practice

What does it really mean to "proclaim the good news of God in Christ" and to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?" These promises from the baptismal rite of the Book of Common Prayer have become very familiar to most Episcopalians, but they have yet to be fully lived out in most congregations. In this lively and accessible guide, Clayton Morris argues that everyone present on Sunday mornings has a ministry of hospitality, coming together in a proclamation of welcome to all.

Part One

The Church and Its Ministry

Restoring the Wholeness of God’s Creation

The feeding of the five thousand

A STORY ABOUT HOSPITALITY

All four gospels tell the story of the miraculous feeding of a huge crowd. Jesus and his friends wanted to get away for a while. They walked into the countryside, and a crowd followed them. As the story goes, five thousand men, with an undisclosed number of women and children, followed Jesus and the disciples, hoping to hear Jesus teach. As the day wore on, it was time for something to eat. There was nothing at hand: no caterer, no fast-food stands. “What do we have?” Jesus asked. “Five loaves and two fish,” one of the disciples answered. Jesus took a loaf, broke it, and passed the pieces to people nearby. He made the same gesture with the fish. When the meal was over, baskets of leftovers remained.

What happened? What does it mean?

The simplest exegesis is probably the best. Of course, there were no restaurants in the countryside. But there was lots of food in the city. It would have been almost second nature for folks intending to be in the countryside for the day to grab a little something to take along. One imagines that everyone — at least the adults — would have planned for the inevitability of midday hunger. And so, when Jesus made the initial gesture of hospitality, passing to those nearby the food he had in hand, others reached into their satchels to dig out what they had brought along. It’s not hard to imagine why there was so much left over. We humans like to eat. If we’re going to err, we’re likely to grab too much, not too little.

The feeding of the five thousand is a story about holy hospitality. Jesus does what he always does. He uses the occasion to make a point about the way life is supposed to be. People are to be fed. Life is like a great banquet. Even in the wilderness, with no visible food supply in sight, the crowd is satisfied and there is an abundance of food left over. Alleluia!

The image of abundant food is essential to an understanding of Christian ministry. It’s all about feeding and being fed. At any moment in the day, some of us can feed. Some of us need food. The church is about making connections between those who have food and those who need it. The story of the five thousand is a reminder that it isn’t all that complicated.

The baptismal promises

THE CHURCH’S COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIAN SERVICE

The 1979 Book of Common Prayer distinguishes itself from its predecessor largely in its insistence on a baptismal ecclesiology. That is, the book assumes that the ministry of the church is carried out in the world by its baptized members. Clergy are set apart to facilitate the ministry of the baptized. They are not set apart to minister on behalf of the congregation, nor are they set apart to provide the members of a congregation with a sense of spiritual wellbeing. This is not to say that clergy have no responsibility for pastoral care, but simply to state as clearly as possible that the church’s commitment to service is the work of the people.

Notice these details from the Prayer Book:

From the Catechism …

The Church

Q. What is the mission of the Church?

A. The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.

Q. How does the Church pursue its mission?

A. The Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.

Q. Through whom does the Church carry out its mission?

A. The Church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.

The Ministry

Q. Who are the ministers of the Church?

A. The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.

Q. What is the ministry of the laity?

A. The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.

Q. What is the ministry of a bishop?

A. The ministry of a bishop is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.

Q. What is the ministry of a priest or presbyter?

A. The ministry of a priest is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to share with the bishop in the overseeing of the Church; to proclaim the Gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.

Q. What is the ministry of a deacon?

A. The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.

Q. What is the duty of all Christians?

A. The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God.1

From the Baptismal Liturgy …

The Presentation and Examination

Question	Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer	I renounce them.
Question	Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer	I renounce them.
Question	Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer	I renounce them.
Question	Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Answer	I do.
Question	Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer	I do.
Question	Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
Answer	I do.

The Baptismal Covenant

Celebrant	Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People	I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant	Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People	I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant	Will you proclaim by word and example the Good New of God in Christ?
People	I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant	Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People	I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant	Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People	I will, with God’s help.2

Thanksgiving over the Water

The Celebrant blesses the water, first saying

	The Lord be with you.
People	And also with you.
Celebrant	Let us give thanks to the Lord.
People	It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

At the following words, the Celebrant touches the water

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Am...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• An Introductory Word
• Acknowledgments
• Preface
• Part One: The Church and Its Ministry
• Part Two: Liturgical Hospitality
• Part Three: Liturgical Ministries
• Part Four: Programmatic Strategies
• A Workshop Model
• A Workshop Strategy