The Spirit of Community: the Power of the Sacraments in The Christian Community

Modern society places great emphasis on the individual as a dynamic, creative force, free to pursue their own goals and ambitions. Despite this, people still long to be part of a community and form meaningful relationships with other human beings. One of the places this deeper connection can be found is in common worship. In this thoughtful book, Ulrich Meier shows how each of the seven sacraments of The Christian Community contributes to community building. For instance, he explores how, through baptism, the community welcomes a new life on earth, aware of the life that was lived in spirit before birth; confirmation marks the transition from the close ties of parents and teachers to a wider community; and in sacramental consultation, individuals explore the relationship of their past actions to their future intentions. This book is for people who wish to deepen their understanding of the sacraments, and help to build a more vibrant church community.