I realize that I am generalizing here, but I believe my generalization of the situation is valid as to a trend in worship. In a general way, with some minor differences, most metropolitan evangelical churches in the U.S. are worshiping the same way. I call it the “new evangelical liturgy.”

Over the years I have had the blessing and curse of visiting numerous (very broadly defined) evangelicalChristian churches in the United States. I have spoken in many and simply visited many unnoticed. They were of many different denominations spanning the entire spectrum of historic, classical evangelicalism: Pentecostal, fundamentalist, “Third Wave,” conservative Presbyterian, Reformed, Adventist, Lutheran, Wesleyan, independent, etc.

One thing I have noticed especially in recent years is a convergence of worship styles. No matter what the denominations, evangelical churches tend to worship in almost exactly the same way—especially in larger cities.

In recent years I have had the joy and curse of visiting about ten or twelve evangelical churches in a particular major American city. They are of very different denominations and traditions.

I realize that I am generalizing here, but I believe my generalization of the situation is valid as to a trend in worship. In a general way, with some minor differences, most metropolitan evangelical churches in the U.S. are worshiping the same way. I call it the “new evangelical liturgy.”

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

Now, please, please don’t post a comment here saying “Well my church doesn’t worship like that.” I know there are exceptions. I’m talking here about a noticeable trend. And my belief in it is not based solely on my experiences visiting churches. I have consulted scholars who have written books about worship and who teach about worship and who have their “finger on the pulse” of American worship trends. They confirm what I am saying here.

In a matter of one year recently (very recently) I visited about ten or twelve broadly defined evangelical churches in a large portion of a large American metroplex (city with numerous suburbs). I also examined at least twenty-five web sites of broadly defined evangelical churches in the same metroplex in order to confirm or disconfirm what I experienced in the approximately twelve I visited on Sunday mornings.

Here is the new evangelical liturgy: The worship service begins with loud music either recorded or sung by a “worship team” led by a “music minister.” Then there is a “welcome” and sometimes encouragement to greet each other (in the congregation). Then there follows a long series of contemporary Christian songs with no discernable tunes sung mostly by the worship team. The words are projected onto one or more large screens. There are no hymnbooks in sight or, if they are there, they are not touched. The songs tend to be repetitious and have little or no theological content or biblical imagery. One could not be blamed for assuming they were written for performance, not congregational singing. About a third of the congregation attempts to sing the songs with the worship team. Hardly anyone over fifty even attempts to sing them.

Then (somewhere in the order of worship) comes the seemingly obligatory “old hymn” but often sung to a different tune than found in any hymn book. By “obligatory” I mean—sung only so that people over fifty will feel like there was “something for them” in the worship service. This is the new “blended worship.” The obligatory hymn (usually something like Great Is They Faithfulness or Amazing Grace or On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand) is sung with “gusto” by the older folks (everyone over fifty) and sometimes with some enthusiasm by the younger folks. The level of congregational participation ramps up very much during the singing of the hymn. Then back to a vocalist (usually one of the worship team) steps forward and sings a song not in any hymnbook and the worship leader “invites” the congregation to join in on part of it. Often the “vibe” of the music portion of the service is that of a rock concert.

Then, following the music, which lasts about thirty minutes during which everyone stands (except the old people who can’t stand that long and I am one of them), the congregation sits down and listens to a twenty-to-thirty minute “talk” by a minister-pastor. Rarely is it expository; it is almost always topical and thematic and sounds like good advice. The content is aimed at people who know very little about the Bible or Christianity. Words like “regeneration” or “justification” or “atonement” are rarely heard in such popular preaching anymore.

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