Liturgical, non-liturgical and informal, including the use of the Bible

The idea

Liturgical worship follows a set structure or ritual, often found in Catholic or Anglican services, where the Bible is read from a lectionary and Holy Communion is central. Non-liturgical worship, common in Methodist or Baptist churches, lacks a rigid set order, focusing heavily on the sermon and thematic Bible readings chosen by the minister. Informal worship may be spontaneous, such as Quaker silent meetings or charismatic Evangelical services featuring contemporary music and impromptu prayers. In all forms, the Bible remains central; it is used for liturgical readings, as the foundation for sermons in non-liturgical settings, and for personal inspiration during informal worship, guiding believers in their faith and daily lives.

What earns the marks

• Identify liturgical worship as having a set structure, often using a service book and a set cycle of Bible readings.
• Describe non-liturgical worship as having a flexible structure, usually centred around a sermon and specific Bible passages chosen by the preacher.
• Explain informal worship as spontaneous or unstructured, such as Quaker meetings or charismatic services.
• Analyse the role of the Bible across all forms, noting its use in readings, sermons, and as a source of spiritual authority.
• Contrast the predictable nature of liturgical worship with the spontaneous expression found in informal worship.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Claiming that non-liturgical worship does not use the Bible.

  Put it right: Clarify that the Bible is central to non-liturgical worship, often forming the basis of a lengthy sermon.

• Confusing non-liturgical with informal worship.

  Put it right: Distinguish between non-liturgical, which still has a planned order but no set ritual, and informal, which is highly spontaneous or unstructured.

• Stating that only Catholics use liturgical worship.

  Put it right: Note that Anglicans and Orthodox Christians also use highly structured liturgical worship.

Exam tips

• Provide a specific denominational example for each type of worship, such as Catholic for liturgical, Baptist for non-liturgical, and Quaker for informal.
• Explicitly mention how the Bible is used differently in each style, such as set lectionary readings versus spontaneous scripture sharing.
• Use the terms 'structured', 'unstructured', and 'spontaneous' to clearly differentiate between the three forms of worship.