In recent decades there has a growing trend, particularly in Charismatic Anglican churches, towards abandoning formal liturgical worship. Influenced by Vineyard churches and a feeling that liturgical worship is unhelpful for mission, these churches have substituted this with a worship song-focused style and 'spontaneous' informal liturgy. John Leach investigates this approach and examines its underlying assumptions. What can we learn from attitudes to formal liturgy, what is the resulting praxis, and where does this leave us?
Based on the author’s doctoral research on two Anglican networks, New Wine and Holy Trinity Brompton, this study explores, through participant observation and interviews, why church leaders believe that this is a positive development, and evaluates the wisdom of this position, its relationship with postmodern culture and the spirit of the age, and its effectiveness in long-term formation for discipleship. This volume offers some practical suggestions about the combining of Anglican liturgy and contemporary Christian praise and worship music towards more effective evangelism and discipleship.