Gottesdienst und Gemeindeaufbau. Eine empirischtheologische Analyse der Gottesdienstpraxis in kleinen freikirchlichen Gemeinden in der Schweiz

Using the ‘Grounded Theory’ methodology, the article examines which liturgical forms and content hinder or further the positive development of a church from the perspective of the congregation. The result indicates that the worship services of small churches represent an activated production which contributes positively to the development of the church. The most important elements of the service turn out to be the sermon, the worship and the fellowship. Because these three key elements are diversely evaluated according to the congregation’s individual needs, it is difficult to reach a conclusive answer to the initial question. This can, however, be obtained by means of a SWOT analysis which makes clear that it is a matter less of individual features and more of the interplay of the factors congregation, liturgical forms and interaction.