A practical, pastoral guide equipping new Episcopal clergy to lead, worship, and serve with confidence through the lens of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

The Priest and the Prayer Book offers a clear and compassionate guide for those stepping into the early years of Episcopal ministry, especially at a time when traditional curacies have largely disappeared and new clergy often begin their work in parishes of their own. Drawing on more than three decades of liturgical and pastoral practice, the author provides steady, practical wisdom for leading worship, caring for congregations, and finding one’s footing in the rhythm of parish life.

At the heart of this work is an accessible exploration of how the baptismal theology of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer shapes the church’s worship and its pastoral mission today. By connecting core principles of liturgical theology with the everyday demands of ministry, the book equips ordinands and newly ordained clergy to interpret the Prayer Book faithfully and embody its vision through thoughtful, meaningful liturgy.