Aspects of Christian Rituals

Roman Catholic Mass

• Ritual structured as a sacrifice; divided into two equal parts (liturgy and word)
• Congregation has clearly defined roles during which members speak, stand, and sing (recital of creed, responsive chants, petitionary prayers
• Priest has responsibility for leading the service, which is a script that is followed; formal but not rigid
• Priest and servers wear special clothing (vestments)
• Church in the shape of a cross, with altar, ambo, priest's chair at the front and audience in two equal parts divided by an aisle
• Priest and congregation space on the same level
• Spaces ritually marked off at the beginning by censing
• Decoration of altar space with flowers and candles
• Some members of the congregation enter and leave the altar space (cantor, readers, presenters)
• Priest uses chanting and ritualized body movements
• Congregation also has ritualized motions during which they interact: turning, kiss of peace
• Because the service stresses both word and liturgy, the sermon (homily) is short compared to Protestant sermons

Baptist Temple (fundamentalist)

• Space structured like an auditorium
• Very plain with no ornamentation; church is "just a space"
• Divided into two parts: front half elevated with pulpit (pastor) and choir area and back half for congregation
• Baptistry in the back divided by curtain and with the only ornamentation; the only space where one member of the congregation stands alone and is the focal point (and only once)
• Audience sits quietly during sermon, stands for songs (more sitting than in the Mass or Baptist chapel)
• Music very important; separate choir
• Sermon and pulpit are the focal point; no altar

Methodist Church

• Very ornate, much architectural ornamentation and stained glass
• Greater separation between pastor space and congregation; pulpit centered
• This space is bridged when choir enters singing with audience; pastor also sings
• Emphasis on community service and weekly education and meeting groups as well (social gospel) which is less structured and formal than the Sunday service; everyone on the same level

Mt Vernon Baptist Chapel (sanctified church)

• Small and crowded; most integrated space; all boundaries crowd into each other
• Preacher is at a pulpit but moves through audience
• Congregation adds to preacher's words; very interactive
• Use of nurses who remain disengaged to help others
• Music stressed; two choirs; no hymn books
• Preacher uses sermon-style, blends into a chant
• Service elements integrated: prayers blend into hymns
• Congregation interacts with each other; joining of hands