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A guide to communicating the power and significance of baptism.
List of contents
Introduction: Why This Book and Why Baptism?
Baptism Is a Lifelong Journey
Baptismal Preaching: Themes from the Catechumenate, Confirmation, and the Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Vows Baptismal Vows
A Quick Guide for Ordinary Sundays with Baptismal Themes as Found in Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary
Seasonal Preaching and Preaching for Special Occasions
The Service of Holy Baptism
Architecture and Accoutrements
Preaching and Teaching Moments
The History of Baptism
Conclusion
Appendix A: The Question of Open Commmunion
Appendix B: Sample Baptismal Sermons
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
About the author
James Bradley Shumard is an Episcopal priest who has served congregations in Georgia and Wyoming for over twenty-five years. He has led a variety of seminars on baptism and has served on church-wide and diocesan committees on Christian education. Shumard holds degrees from Rhodes College, the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Episcopal Divinity School, and Sewanee School of Theology. He lives in Casper, Wyoming.
Summary
A guide to communicating the power and significance of baptism.
Although the sacrament of baptism is central to Christian experience, it is usually only discussed in many churches when a baptism happens to be occurring. In Preaching Baptism, priest and noted preacher James Bradley Shumard identifies ways to reinforce baptismal values in the weekly liturgy, from the pulpit in sermons, as well as from other teaching moments in the liturgy. Including chapters on preaching about baptism across the church year, connecting the lectionary to baptism, baptismal vows, and more, this volume offers guidance to clergy in keeping baptismal vocation at the core in every Sunday's sermon.
