Lively liturgy has brought about rise in baptisms (8)
I believe the answer is:
spirited
'lively' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
'liturgy has brought about rise in baptisms' is the wordplay.
'liturgy' becomes 'rite' (I've seen this before).
'has brought about' is an insertion indicator (some letters brought about or around others).
'rise in' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'baptisms' becomes 'dips' (a baptism involves dipping someone in water).
'dips' backwards is 'spid'.
'rite' going within 'spid' is 'SPIRITED'.
(Other definitions for spirited that I've seen before include "Full of beans" , "Full of energy and enthusiasm" , "Secretly transported" , "Vivacious" , "Lively, in upbeat mood" .)