Liturgiese handelinge stel nie vanself ‘n erediens as ontmoeting met God (godsdiens) daar nie

Abstract

The Afrikaans reformed churches overwhelmingly uphold the concept worship service (erediens) and do not merely use the concept worship in their liturgy. This article challenges this concept inherited from the Aufkläring. It is argued that the concept worship service gives rise to the impression that a particular order of liturgical acts automatically establishes or equalises what is called a worship service while in reality only a real encounter between worshipper(s) and God by means of liturgy qualifies to be called worship. It is maintained that the Afrikaans tradition inherited too much of the Zwinglian emphasis placed on the edifying value of the sermon, and in this respect has deviated from the liturgy in the early churches. People therefore today do not experience worship but participate in the devotional attendance of a sermon. It is argued that this perception ought to be changed.