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
- History of Christian worship
- Content and use of The Book of Common Prayer
- Sanctification of time: the church year and calendar of saints
- Sacramental theology
- Christian initiation: Baptism and confirmation
- Shape of the Holy Eucharist
- Other sacraments and pastoral services
- Daily Office
- Liturgy and mission
- Music in worship: history and theology
- Hymnal tradition and music selection in corporate worship
- Sanctification of space: vestments, furnishings, and architecture
