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CHAPTER 2
Leading Worship
Presiding
Presiding is an art. The presider's relationship with God,
with the other ministers, and with the community are
crucial. In tone of voice, posture, gesture, and vesture
the presider can enhance the atmosphere of worship. An
occasional video recording can help presiders see
themselves as others do. Even taperecordings or a mirror
helps, as can a sensitive friend or spouse.
The art of presiding has changed considerably. It requires
an intimate knowledge of the liturgy. The presider
coordinates the ministries of ushers, those leading music,
reading the scriptures, leading the Prayers of the People,
serving, preparing the holy table, bringing forward the
bread, wine, and offerings, and assisting with
administering communion. Some of these tasks were formerly
assigned to the presider. They are now rightly shared with
others, and it is important that the presider does not
repossess them. Presiders also need to take care not to
usurp the people's part (including the Amens).
On the other hand communities may need to reflect on their
understanding of presiding if the presider is only there to
say the Absolution, and Great Thanksgiving (and a
blessing), while another (or others) is the real focus of
leadership in the service. This can give an impression of
magic associated with priesthood rather than the sharing of
ministry that such a community actually seeks.
"For the community to celebrate as a unity there needs to
be a person who focuses and coordinates the community's
action" (page 515). This is the role of the presider:
focusing and coordinating. In order to help this sense of
focus, there are certain elements which the presider will
not usually delegate. These are that the presider greets
the people, declares the Absolution, says the Collect of
the Day, ordinarily preaches the Sermon, may say the
sentence introducing the Prayers of the People ("Let us
pray for ... goodness" page 411), and may say a collect to
conclude these Prayers, introduces the Peace, proclaims the
Great Thanksgiving, breaks the bread, says the Invitation
to communion, is one of the people who administers the
Sacrament, leads the Prayer After Communion, and gives a
blessing if there is to be one. In the absence of a deacon
the presider could maintain this focus by saying the
bidding to confession, and the Dismissal. Some tasks
normally part of presiding (such as preaching) may be
delegated to another.
The bishop at a Eucharist
"Bishops are ... to preside over [the Church's] worshipping
life" (page 913). Modern Anglican eucharistic rites in
their rubrics or notes agree that it is the bishop's
prerogative to preside at the Eucharist. The priest
presides in the absence of the bishop. The bishop is
responsible for the liturgical formation of clergy and
laity in the diocese. The bishop's presiding, then, is to
be a model, encouraging the active participation of the
people.
The
deacon at a Eucharist
A pattern of leadership within the Eucharist which
complements that of the presider is provided by the roles
traditionally assigned to the deacon. These roles include
introducing the confession, proclaiming the Gospel and
sometimes preaching, providing leadership for the Prayers
of the People, inviting the congregation to exchange the
Peace, preparing the holy table and setting the bread and
wine upon it, assisting at the elevation at the end of the
Great Thanksgiving, helping distribute the bread and wine,
and dismissing the congregation.
This book is advocating that many of these tasks be done by
lay people. In a community in which there is a deacon, this
deacon should not take back all these ministries from the
laity but s/he can appropriately be seen as the leader of
these diaconal tasks. Deacons can, for example, train and
roster people in leading the Prayers of the People, and
lead the Prayers themselves on occasion. This leadership of
these ministries can be expressed in the service by the
deacon sitting (and standing) immediately to the right of
the presider. If there are concelebrating presbyters
(priests), they should not usurp the deacon's place. It is
preferable to conceive of concelebrating presbyters as
being more a part of the assembly rather than giving the
impression that they are presiding as a committee.
With the growing renewal and restoration of the diaconate,
it is worth reflecting on the integrity of that order.
Priests damage this integrity when they dress as deacons
rather than as presbyters in the liturgy.
Some
Questions
There are some clear views presented here about the
changing nature of presiding and the role of the ordained
in worship leadership. In what ways are these the same as
yours and in what ways different? How important are the
differences? Can you identify a list of five points where
you would strongly differ as well as five where you would
strongly agree with material here and can you think through
the arguments for these points of view as if you were
talking with the author?
