Christian practices

Christian beliefs are lived out in practices — public worship, sacraments, prayer, pilgrimage, festivals and Christian witness in the world.

Worship

Worship is showing reverence and devotion to God. Christians worship in three broad ways:

1. Liturgical — formal, structured, following a set order ('liturgy'). Common in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches. Includes scripted prayers, the Creed, hymns, the Eucharist and a sermon. Strengths: connects worshippers globally to a shared tradition; appropriate seriousness for praising God.

2. Non-liturgical — informal, flexible, varies week to week. Common in Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal and other Protestant churches. Often led by a single preacher; emphasis on Bible-based preaching, congregational singing, sometimes spontaneous prayer. Strengths: feels more personal; emphasises the Bible.

3. Private/individual — at home, alone or in small groups: prayer, Bible reading, devotions. Jesus said: "Go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father" (Matthew 6:6).

Sacraments

A sacrament is "an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace" — a physical act through which Christians believe God's grace is given.

Catholics and Orthodox recognise seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony.

Most Protestants recognise only two sacraments — Baptism and Eucharist (Lord's Supper) — because only these were directly instituted by Jesus.

Baptism

• Infant baptism (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist) — babies are baptised by sprinkling water, removing original sin and welcoming them into the church family. Parents and godparents make promises on the child's behalf.
• Believers' baptism (Baptist, Pentecostal) — only conscious adults choose to be baptised, by full immersion. Symbolises death to old life and resurrection in Christ (Romans 6:4).

Eucharist (Holy Communion, Mass, Lord's Supper)

• Bread and wine are blessed and shared, recalling Jesus' Last Supper.
• Catholic — transubstantiation: bread and wine become Christ's body and blood.
• Protestant — symbolic remembrance OR spiritual real presence (depending on denomination).
• The most commonly performed Christian rite worldwide.

Prayer

Prayer = communicating with God. Christians pray:

• Set prayers — the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13), the Hail Mary (Catholic), the Anglican collects.
• Informal prayer — personal, in own words.
• Contemplative prayer — silent, listening for God.
• Intercessory prayer — for others' needs.

Prayer is encouraged "without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place, undertaken as an act of religious devotion. Major Christian sites:

• Jerusalem — where Jesus was crucified and rose. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is reached by visitors from all denominations.
• Rome — burial place of St Peter (St Peter's Basilica). Catholics visit the Vatican to be near the Pope.
• Lourdes (France) — where Bernadette Soubirous reported visions of Mary in 1858. Famous for healing waters; ~6 million visitors a year, many seeking physical or spiritual healing.
• Iona (Scotland) — small island where St Columba founded a monastery in 563 CE. Today an ecumenical Christian community.
• Walsingham (England) — Marian shrine, site of an Anglo-Saxon vision of Mary.
• Camino de Santiago — pilgrimage walk to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Why pilgrimage matters: deepens faith, provides community, offers physical/spiritual healing, supports local economies.

Festivals

• Christmas — celebrates Jesus' birth; 25 December (Western), 7 January (Orthodox). Marked by carol services, gift-giving, family meals.
• Easter — celebrates Jesus' resurrection; the most important Christian festival. Preceded by Lent (40 days of self-denial, recalling Jesus' time in the desert) and Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday).
• Pentecost (Whitsun) — celebrates the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles 50 days after Easter (Acts 2). The "birthday of the Church".

The role of the Church

The Church is both:

• A community — local congregations meeting to worship and support each other.
• A worldwide body — over 2 billion Christians of many denominations.

Practical roles:

• Mission and evangelism — spreading the gospel; CMS (Church Mission Society), missionaries worldwide.
• Charity — Christian Aid, CAFOD (Catholic), Tearfund, the Salvation Army; respond to global poverty and disasters.
• Pastoral care — supporting members in birth, marriage, sickness, death.
• Social justice — advocating against poverty, racism, injustice (Liberation theology in Latin America; Archbishop Tutu in apartheid South Africa).
• Persecution support — many Christians face persecution today (China, North Korea, Middle East); Open Doors and Aid to the Church in Need provide solidarity.

Examiner tips

When asked to evaluate worship styles, give Christian responses on both sides (e.g. liturgical Catholic perspective vs non-liturgical Pentecostal perspective). Be specific: name a denomination, a place, a quote.