Published on
December 6, 2012
This guide is structured to help you become more aware of the multiple levels of meaning in a worship service and to stimulate reflection on the relationship between theology, culture, and worship practices.

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with a series of questions to consider when you visit a church. These questions are structured to help you become more aware of the multiple levels of meaning in a worship service and to stimulate reflection on the relationship between theology, culture, and worship practices. As you visit a church, you are both a worshiper (participant) and an amateur cultural anthropologist (observer)! The goal is to have each role contribute to the other.

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is dedicated to learning about worship from Christians in all places and from all traditions, deepening the awareness of the breadth of the body of Christ, and promoting the unity of the Church worldwide.

Many churches are identified within a tradition or a denomination, and while the booklet does ask questions related to theology, you may find it help to research a churches particular denominational association.

The handbook is available in English, French, German, Korean and Spanish.