Charismatic Anglicans Negotiating Liturgy:

An Ethnographic Study of worship in two
non-liturgical Anglican networks

Abstract

This study concerns the phenomenon of what will be called ‘non-liturgical Anglicanism’. The practice in Anglican churches of completely or largely replacing the formal and legally prescribed liturgy of the Church with a series ‘worship songs’ is something which has grown in Britain since the 1960s. Whilst there are some studies reporting this phenomenon and commenting upon it, this present thesis enquires more deeply into the reasons underlying this shift. It explores in particular two networks within the Church of England which lead the way in this trend, plants or grafts from Holy Trinity, Brompton in Kensington, and the New Wine Network, which originated at St Andrew’s Chorleywood. It demonstrates the link between both these networks and the Vineyard Churches which originated in Southern California and which have influenced and radically transformed the theology and praxis of worship in many Anglican congregations. A review of the literature which traces the evolution of this change is followed by case study research into several churches which have made this shift, explaining the policies and the reasons behind them. Fieldwork consisted of Participant Observation at public worship in churches from both these networks, and interviews with leaders, as well as a Focus Group. There is also an examination of the legal issues involved, and how leaders attempt to negotiate them. The data are reported and then analysed, and two final chapters critique this non-liturgical policy. The oft-expressed view that ‘worship songs are the new liturgy’ is examined in detail and found wanting, and the study reaches the conclusion that in adopting a non-liturgical policy, churches are in fact in danger of accommodating to the secular culture. Through their non-liturgical policies many churches are deliberately ignoring the riches of Church tradition, and these omissions are, it is suggested, detrimental to the formation of life-long disciples and the development of a ‘spirituality for the long haul’. The study closes by proposing a different and more helpful way forward, which takes seriously the benefits both of a liturgical approach and charismatic sung worship.