Common Worship

Common Worship. It is the contemporary liturgical resource of the Church of England, authorized as an alternative to the Book of Common Prayer. Developed in the late 20th century, it provides a diverse collection of services and prayers reflecting modern language and theological breadth. Its publication marked a significant evolution in Anglican worship, offering flexibility alongside traditional forms.

Overview

The collection provides a comprehensive framework for the church's sacramental and daily prayer life, encompassing services from Holy Communion to Morning and Evening Prayer. It was developed by the Liturgical Commission under the authority of the General Synod of the Church of England. Its introduction followed decades of liturgical revision and experimentation, including the influential Alternative Service Book 1980. The resource is designed to be used alongside other authorized texts, such as the Book of Common Prayer and the Authorized King James Version.

Development and Authorization

The development process was a major project of the Church of England's Liturgical Commission, initiated in the aftermath of the Alternative Service Book 1980. Extensive drafting and consultation involved theologians, clergy, and the House of Bishops. Final authorization was granted by the General Synod of the Church of England in the 1990s, with the main volumes published in the year 2000. This process was influenced by the wider Ecumenical movement and dialogues with churches like the Roman Catholic Church and the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

Structure and Contents

The material is organized into several printed volumes and digital resources, beginning with the core Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England. It contains multiple orders for Holy Communion, including those influenced by the Liturgical Movement and the Second Vatican Council. The resource includes daily offices, Pastoral Services such as Marriage and Funeral rites, and a substantial Lectionary based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Additional volumes provide material for Holy Week, Festivals, and Times and Seasons throughout the Christian year.

Usage and Reception

Adoption across the Church of England has been widespread, with many parishes using its forms for principal Sunday Eucharistic worship. Reception has varied, with praise for its accessible language and creative options, and criticism from some quarters for perceived departure from the theological precision of the Book of Common Prayer. Its flexibility has supported diverse worship styles, from traditional choral evensong at Westminster Abbey to contemporary services in Holy Trinity Brompton. The resources have also influenced liturgical revision in other provinces of the Anglican Communion, such as the Episcopal Church.

Relation to Other Liturgical Resources

It exists in a family of authorized texts, with the Book of Common Prayer retaining its historic and legal primacy. It explicitly supplements rather than replaces the prayer book, as established by the Church of England (Worship and Doctrine) Measure 1974. Its development was consciously informed by international resources like the Lima Liturgy from the World Council of Churches and the Roman Missal. The collection maintains a direct relationship with the Alternative Service Book 1980, revising and expanding upon many of its rites.

Category:Anglican liturgy Category:Church of England Category:Christian prayer books