Page 4 - Where shall wisdom be found? Festival Service Book

Pastoral Introduction
In an age of uncertainty, marked by profound and widespread changes in the political, environmental and economic landscape of our world, the cry for wisdom is close to hand in the intense debates that frame our consciousness. Scratch the surface of arguments in Parliament, the blogs of activists or the columns of our newspapers and we encounter the urgent question, ‘Where shall wisdom be found?’
Christianity, like other world religions, draws upon a rich heritage of practice in seeking wisdom. The book of Proverbs is the most celebrated example of such in the Old Testament. We read of the incalculable value of seeking wisdom:
‘She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her’ Proverbs 8:11, NRSV
Even more startlingly, wisdom herself seeks out lovers of wisdom:
‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.’
Proverbs 9:5-6, NRSV
In the coming of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit, the search for wisdom reaches an intensity that is unrivalled: the world is offered the wisdom of God in the crucified Christ and those who recognize and embrace this live their lives according to the Spirit of wisdom.
This Festival Service gives liturgical form to the search for wisdom, for it is through prayer that our search finds its most eloquent expression. Unlike previous Restival Service Books, this has a wider reach. It could be used at any time but it lends itself to accompany an important decision-making moment in the church community or alternatively a means by which the church could pray for a national or global situation.
James Steven Academic Dean and Coordinator of the Centre for Liturgy and Worship Sarum College
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