Ordinarily, the last day of synod can be fairly routine. However, as someone tweeted, ‘like the last session of a test match, the pitch is a little unpredictable [in the dying hours of synod’ Having spent most of our time discussing matters of a Diocese wide and national nature, the discussion about  liturgy – a matter to do with our local churches – was very welcome.

There were two matters – one was the recently developed ‘Common Prayer’ resources, which all are now invited to give feedback about. The other was an ordinance (ie church legislation) listing what services are authorised.

The elephant in the room was the place of liturgy. It was around 40 years ago now that we learnt that liturgically based church services were having little impact, and probably not the way to reach new generations with the Gospel of Jesus. Since that time, there have been various attempts to update the language and content of liturgy. While I would have liked to have heard from more on the final day of synod, I am also thankful that this discussion has now been opened up.

Is the central issue the content or form of the liturgy, or is issue the liturgical nature itself? It was a passionate discussion, but one driven by anecdotes of people’s own preferences and experiences. For me, I am someone who became a Christian as a teenager via the work of a non-Anglican Protestant church. I vividly remember walking past an Anglican church in my teenage years and feeling alienated by the liturgical focus. And yet, should this, or any other anecdote, dictate policy and practice?

Do not misunderstand me. I am all for preserving good theology. I am all for teaching via our practices, and the repetition of them. Yes, I run prayer book services in my church (and use Creeds, Confessions and Thanksgiving prayers regularly).

However, I only run highly liturgical services for congregations that are targeted at those from a generation who appreciate that form. Others are free to come, and do. But I have heard so many in other generations associate the liturgical form with an ‘out of touch’ church.

We have inherited our liturgical history from the Reformation, at a time when the issue was breaking away from Roman Catholicism and distinguishing practice in order to educate people about theology. With the majority of the population today not at any church, I would argue that today’s issues are different and need a different approach, not just updating the old ways.

It is sometimes said that those from other denominations can get caught up on matters like baptism, which the Bible does not speak clearly about. Maybe our issue is particular liturgy forms.