History of Christian Worship

Corporate worship among early Christians was grounded in the Jewish practice of synagogue Sabbath worship and Temple sacrifices on Holy Days. Its centerpiece was the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper, which Jesus instituted before his crucifixion. Following the separation of Christianity from Judaism, and the increased inclusion of Gentile converts, various additional practices emerged in different communities. Greater uniformity emerged after the end of persecutions in the early fourth century with the Eucharist being clearly established as the central act of Christian worship. A variety of rites for the Eucharist prevailed up to the Reformation. In sixteenth century England the Reformers gathered resources from a variety of rites and practices and reworked them in the production of a Book of Common Prayer. This resource provided a comprehensive tool for corporate worship for all English Christians in their own language.

Areas of Liturgics

1. History of Christian Worship
2. Content and use of The Book of Common Prayer
3. Daily Office
4. Corporate and Personal Prayer
5. Sacramental Theology
6. The Holy Eucharist
7. Christian Initiation: Baptism and Confirmation
8. Marriage and Children
9. Rites of Healing
10. Death and Burial
11. Sanctification of Time
12. Sanctification of Space
13. Liturgy and Music
14. Liturgy and Mission