Baptising the English: Navigating Liturgical and Ecclesial Tensions in Belonging to an Established Church in a Post-Christian Culture
Baptism Practices in the Church of England Are Under Pressure
The number of families having their children baptized in the Church of England is declining sharply. Theologian Matthew Swires-Hennessy’s study on the meaning of baptism and church membership suggests that the number of infant baptisms could drop to zero as early as 2038 if current trends continue.
Swires-Hennessy examined how the Church of England is addressing the changing relationship between the church and society. In doing so, he studied, among other things, liturgical texts, statistics, guidelines for clergy, and theological publications.
According to the study, tension arises because, on the one hand, the church wants to fulfill a broad social role, while on the other hand, it must provide clarity about what baptism means. Communication and new projects sometimes make the meaning and expectations surrounding the liturgy less clear.
Swires-Hennessy therefore advocates for a fundamental reorientation of the church: less emphasis on national or institutional status and more attention to faith communities, faith, and discipleship. In this context, baptism should be presented more clearly as a meaningful and radical step within the Christian faith, combined with a strong emphasis on hospitality and community building.
The social significance extends beyond the practice of baptism itself. The decline in the number of baptism requests demonstrates how significantly the position of Christianity in everyday life in England is changing. The Church of England is thus faced with the question of how it can shape its public role and identity in a society where Christian engagement is no longer a given.
Swires-Hennessy explicitly argues against linking England’s national identity too closely to Christian baptism. Instead, she proposes a vision of the church in which faith communities and their shared Christian practice take center stage.
More information about the dissertation.