Christian Worship

Página 1

Living the Christian life is a decision on the part of an individual to live as a follower of Jesus. Worship is when religious believers express their love and respect for and devotion to God. It is a time when Christians can thank God, ask his forgiveness and pray for themselves, other people and the world at large. It helps them to feel closer to God.

Liturgical and non-liturgical worship

Christians can worship in different ways:

liturgical worship - usually following an agreed form of words (often the congregation follow the words in a service book or on an overhead screen)

non-liturgical worship - although the service will have a clear structure there will be no, or very few, set words other than the words to songs

individual worship - quiet worship alone in a person's own home

The Anglican Church has both liturgical and non liturgical services. An Anglican service from the Book of Common Prayer or the more recent service book Common Worship will contain set services.

Página 2

The Book of Common Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the oldest Anglican service book. It was written in the sixteenth century by Thomas Crammer, and modified in 1662. Many of its prayers and services are still used today. The BCP also contains the special services for ordaining priests and bishops, baptism, wedding and funeral services, the creeds, the 39 Articles, and special prayers for each week of the year.

Divergent Christian attitudes

Liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship occur in various different denominations, and most Christians will worship using both forms. However, some Christians will prefer one over the other. For example, Christians who value liturgical worship find comfort in using words that may well have been said for decades, or, in the case of the Book of Common Prayer, for centuries. There is also some security in knowing exactly the pattern the service will follow, the length of time it will take, and usually that the form of words used have been authorised by a particular denominational hierarchy.

The non-liturgical service pattern is far more common in Charismatic Churches, such as Pentecostal Churches and an increasing number of Anglican Churches, and in these churches, the emphasis is placed on 'following the Spirit'; in other words, listening to God and following his lead in worship. Christians who value non-liturgical worship tend to appreciate the fact that they have more freedom to express their worship - this might involve lifting hands or even dancing. Typically the sung worship may be of any length, the service may or may not have structured prayers, the service leader has far more control of the service and is able to weave in different aspects, for example a video clip or group discussion. Elements of the service can change during the service, extra songs can be added or an extended prayer time can be introduced.

Believers often worship God on their own. They may want to praise God for who he is, or so that they can feel closer to him, or they may have a particular problem that they want to talk to God about. Individual worship can include prayer, meditation, Bible reading, singing and quiet thinking.