Steel Angels, by Magdalen Smith
Based on the criteria used to help select clergy in the Church of England (very similar to the ones we use here in the SEC), this book examines the role of a priest today, the challenges they face and the expectations laid on them in modern society. It’s aimed at clergy, but it makes a very interesting read for the lay person, particularly in a charge where we are starting to think about what kind of clergy we want at St. Mary’s and what they might be expected to do. It’s also a very helpful insight for lay people who might be considering their own vocation, or who work with ordinands or the ordained, or who simply see a dog collar and wonder what goes on in the person wearing it. Smith draws on images from art and films to illustrate her account, and adds a useful bibliography for anyone interested in the role of the church today.
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