Thinking About the Book of Alternative Services: A Discussion Primer

A.J. Pell is the rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Diocese of New
Westminster, British Columbia.

As the subtitle indicates, this is a discussion primer, not a discussion
guide. It is intended to point out issues so that informed theological
discussion and debate may take place. Thus, the four members of the
Theological Sub-Group of the Book of Alternative Services Education
Commission (Eric Bayes, Patricia Johnston, Terry Penelhum, and John
Webster) have given this volume a very specific structure. The first
third of the book consists of the committee’s interim report, based on
the findings of the questionnaire it distributed in July 1991. This is
followed by three papers about the theology of the Book of Alternative
Services.

The interim report identifies the major themes and concerns raised by
the questionnaire. The study papers represent three approaches to the
issues raised by the BAS. Stephen Reynold’s paper is an item-by-item
response to the questions raised by the committee. Desmond Scotchmer
also writes in response to the questionnaire, but his paper deals only
with issues of concern to the Prayer Book Society rather than with the
committee’s queries. John Webster delineates the issues that divide
the Book of Alternative Services from the Book of Common Prayer, and
calls for courteous debate within the church. If his call is answered,
this book will have served a very useful purpose.