High and Low Churches

Yes. I have been a member of both styles of Baptist churches.

I have no doubt about it.

What makes you wonder?

 

Yes and Yes.

Aside from personally knowing Christians involved in both, I would caution against labeling one form "true" over another...as much of the giants on whoms shoulders we stand come from both.

 

Yes, I have been in both.

I love to worship in High church, as well as Low church.
God has used both in my growth.

 

I prefer high-church worship (as long as it doesn't become inflexible) but presently participate in lower-church worship because my wife plays acoustic/electric guitar in the worship band.

It is personal preference. Both high and low church can be done very poorly (and often are) or done in a way where true worship and spiritual growth is nurtured. Neither style is inherently superior to the other.

 

I was youth pastor at a high church and now pastor at a low church.
Both are great churches...

I was able to introduce elements of low church to the youth at my previous church, and am now introducing elements of High church into my current church...

Like doing Maundy Thursday.

But I would not change either church. They each have their place.

 

Our church has historically been high church, but a few years ago we began a contemporary worship service held late Sunday evening and have added a "blended" worship service at 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning where we take the best of high church and low church and put them together in ways most appropriate to our theme for each Sunday. Our 8:30 a.m. Sunday service remains high church.

 

Never heard of a "high" or "low" Baptist church in my lifetime. The only place I heard it was in Anglican circles, and it related to performing the "mass" during service and having a service akin to the RC service...genuflecting, crossing one's self. It also reflected the position of the communion table,,out front or back against the wall. The low church was more evangelical and open in its service.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I'm with Jim, I've never heard of these.

What are they? I would have thought it would have something to do with sea level or something.

 

Have never heard of either.

 

I've heard of them, but primarily in Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches only.

 

I never thought I'd see the day when we were talking about High Baptist churches. :laugh:

My preference is Low church.

Couldn't have said it any better.

 

And the converse is true. Neither is necessarily inferior to the other.

 

Can somene supply the definition of both?

 

When I am talking about High church (in the Baptist denomination)
I am talking about very formal.. almost liturgical.
We did hanging of the Greens at Christmas, of course Advent...
Maundy Thursday, Pentecost, and other liturgical days.

It was a very organized worship, and programmed... but not so much that it programmed the Holy Spirit out.
The service was very reverent..and formal

As opposed to low baptist in which the service is very informal.
Instead of only one person praying everyone prays outloud, and it sounds like a mad house.
Testimonies are allowed at anytime before the preacher preaches..and in some churches, each member is expected to stand and testify.
There is no printed bulletin, and you never know what to expect.
Most have no idea about what a liturgy is, or any special times of the year except Easter and Christmas.

Anyone can sing a special at anytime.
The Preacher usually is the jumping, spitting, yelling type.
And just very disorganized.... But of course this type usually relies on the Holy Spirit to organize the service. Some preachers even refuse to prepare a sermon.. they refuse to study for a sermon. They believe God will give them the words in the pulpit.

Of course in WV even high Baptist churches would be considered low church by RCs.

 

Thanks for the explanation Tim.

Sounds like what we call Traditional and Non-Traditional.
"I call it Tomato...you call it Tomato." :laugh:

 

I've been to both High Church and Low Church worship styles. In fact I know of at least one Baptist church that is High Church.

Of course there are believers in both circumstances. Worship style is preference, not a biblical mandate. We are only mandated to worship.

At times I value High Church over Low Church, and vice versa. There is something truly special about both. Of course legitimately worshipping God is always the pinnacle of any worship gathering.

 

Of course I may be way off course...
But this is how I define it for Baptist churches...