Abstract:
The worship service in the Reformed Churches in South Africa has of late come under pressure. On the one hand it is experienced as too rigid and “traditional”. On the other hand superficial forms of renewal create tension. In this article the worship service and the meaning of the liturgical actions in the worship service of the Afrikaans Reformed Churches are discussed, and related to world-wide ecumenical tendencies. It is argued that certain liturgical actions are a necessary part of the ritual of the worship service. The structure needs inner logic, although there should also be some degree of flexibility. Hymns and music offer the means for a more creative presentation of liturgical actions and traditional forms. Suggestions to enrich the liturgy through the use of hymns and liturgical forms in the Liedboek van die Kerk (2001) are offered.
