Methodist worship: with reference to historic practice, the Methodist worship book, and current patterns in the Newcastle Methodist district

Methodism, as a hybrid denomination, being neither Anglican nor Free Church, was endowed by the Wesley brothers, John and Charles, with worship characterised by a twofold practice, the liturgy of The Book of Common Prayer on the one hand and the free form preaching service on the other. The thesis traces the history and the development of this pattern on through the use of the different service books, the latest of which is The Methodist Worship Book published in 1999. How this book came about is explored and the response to its publication by Methodist ministers, churches and members is researched by the use of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Developments in the shape of the preaching service are also considered. Greater variety in Methodist worship in general is then reviewed. Some pointers for the future are explored, as indeed whether or not today’s alternative patterns of worship may be regarded as essentially Methodist