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:

• Jeremy Fletcher - Text, authority and ritual in the Church of England
• Maggi Dawn - The Art of Liturgy
• Pete Ward - Personalised Ritual
• Anthony Reddie - Black styles, rituals and mission for the 21st Century
• Ana Draper - How insights from psychology and spirituality operate in Christian worship
• Mike Riddell - Deep Currents of the Heart
• 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.