Worship and Sacred Actions Throughout the Year in Independent Fundamentalist and Evangelical Churches

Many independent churches and other evangelical churches with roots in revivalism have been most suspicious of any observance of liturgy in whatever form, especially observance of the church year. An anti-intellectual, anti-formal, and anti-liturgical mindset is part of the heritage of these churches. At the beginning of the twentieth century, many pastors had little seminary training and many had received their only education in a Bible school. Thus, they had little basis for appreciating liturgy. Hence clerical robes, use of candles, liturgical colors, and so forth were left for certain “formalist denominations” (Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and of course, the Roman Catholics). The independent church was not the choicest of soils for germination of worship renewal. Nevertheless, it has occurred and continues to grow.

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The Arts in Independent Fundamentalist and Evangelical Churches

Churches of the Independent Fundamentalist and Evangelical denomination use a wide variety of elements in worship renewal, reflecting the differing backgrounds of the individuals who make up its congregations. Music continues to be an important contribution to worship, and environmental art, dance, and drama are used increasingly. Leadership is often assigned to a minister of fine arts.

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