I am reading an article called Worship Diversity Among Presbyterians by Dr. Jack Kinneer.
In the article, he lists 6 Presbyterian worship "styles":
1. Neo-Puritan
It rejects all prepared or set prayers (including the recitation in unison of the Lord´s Prayer).
It advocates the exclusive use of the Psalter without accompaniment.
It limits all public prayers to the Pastor who alone speaks individually in the service.
It has almost no ceremony except the raising of the minister´s hands for the benediction.
It rejects the Church festivals entirely.
2. Traditional American
Introduction of non-inspired hymnody and musical accompaniment,
Re-introduction of the corporate recitation of the Lord´s Prayer and the Apostle´s Creed,
A minimal notice of the Church festivals (at least Christmas and Easter),
Introduction of choirs, solos, and some of the ceremony associated with them, such as processionals and recessionals,
The substitution of Ruling Elders for some of the Pastor´s liturgical functions: call to worship, invocation, responsive Psalmody.
3. Neo-Reformational
Written prayers to be used for the service
Re-introduction of prayer of confession of sins with absolution at the beginning of the service.
Re-adoption of the Genevan gown (an unadorned black robe) for the garbing of the Pastor. This is not to be confused with priestly garbing. The black gown was used by Reformed Churches precisely because it was not Roman Catholic.
4. Anglican/Lutheran
Anglican/Lutheran derived liturgies usually have a lectionary structure to the Bible lessons that is coordinated with the Church year. Likewise, the variable prayers are tied thematically to the Church year.
Anglican/Lutheran derived liturgies usually have more ceremony including recessionals, processionals, lighting of candles, and traditional medieval style of garbing.
5. Semi-Charismatic
Use of contemporary Scripture songs and choruses (though these have become popular throughout Presbyterianism) with non-traditional instrumental accompaniment (guitars, drums, etc.),
Singing in mass (a number songs sung back to back, often chosen at the moment),
The conceptualization of the service as divided into two aspects: worship (songs, prayers, sharing) and sermon,
Use of a lay worship leader to conduct the worship portion of the service,
Allowance for vocal free prayer by members of the congregation during the service,
Concern for emotional expression: sharing, raising hands, clapping and sometimes liturgical dance,
Dislike of a set order and a planned service, that is, a preference for spontaneity.
6. Seeker-friendly
The Seeker-friendly service is an event conducted during the customary hours of congregational worship. It is called worship but in fact is really an evangelistic event. Such an event is more of a concert of religious music with a sermon. Normally there are only one or two very brief prayers, no extended intercessions and no celebration of the sacraments. These are reserved for another meeting held on a weekday that more closely resembles a worship service. This mid-week meeting is where intercessory prayer takes place and the sacraments are administered.
For a fuller description of each, see the article referenced above.
Which does your church practice?
In the article, he lists 6 Presbyterian worship "styles":
1. Neo-Puritan
It rejects all prepared or set prayers (including the recitation in unison of the Lord´s Prayer).
It advocates the exclusive use of the Psalter without accompaniment.
It limits all public prayers to the Pastor who alone speaks individually in the service.
It has almost no ceremony except the raising of the minister´s hands for the benediction.
It rejects the Church festivals entirely.
2. Traditional American
Introduction of non-inspired hymnody and musical accompaniment,
Re-introduction of the corporate recitation of the Lord´s Prayer and the Apostle´s Creed,
A minimal notice of the Church festivals (at least Christmas and Easter),
Introduction of choirs, solos, and some of the ceremony associated with them, such as processionals and recessionals,
The substitution of Ruling Elders for some of the Pastor´s liturgical functions: call to worship, invocation, responsive Psalmody.
3. Neo-Reformational
Written prayers to be used for the service
Re-introduction of prayer of confession of sins with absolution at the beginning of the service.
Re-adoption of the Genevan gown (an unadorned black robe) for the garbing of the Pastor. This is not to be confused with priestly garbing. The black gown was used by Reformed Churches precisely because it was not Roman Catholic.
4. Anglican/Lutheran
Anglican/Lutheran derived liturgies usually have a lectionary structure to the Bible lessons that is coordinated with the Church year. Likewise, the variable prayers are tied thematically to the Church year.
Anglican/Lutheran derived liturgies usually have more ceremony including recessionals, processionals, lighting of candles, and traditional medieval style of garbing.
5. Semi-Charismatic
Use of contemporary Scripture songs and choruses (though these have become popular throughout Presbyterianism) with non-traditional instrumental accompaniment (guitars, drums, etc.),
Singing in mass (a number songs sung back to back, often chosen at the moment),
The conceptualization of the service as divided into two aspects: worship (songs, prayers, sharing) and sermon,
Use of a lay worship leader to conduct the worship portion of the service,
Allowance for vocal free prayer by members of the congregation during the service,
Concern for emotional expression: sharing, raising hands, clapping and sometimes liturgical dance,
Dislike of a set order and a planned service, that is, a preference for spontaneity.
6. Seeker-friendly
The Seeker-friendly service is an event conducted during the customary hours of congregational worship. It is called worship but in fact is really an evangelistic event. Such an event is more of a concert of religious music with a sermon. Normally there are only one or two very brief prayers, no extended intercessions and no celebration of the sacraments. These are reserved for another meeting held on a weekday that more closely resembles a worship service. This mid-week meeting is where intercessory prayer takes place and the sacraments are administered.
For a fuller description of each, see the article referenced above.
Which does your church practice?