Liturgists

Liturgists are individuals who design, study, and oversee liturgy, the publicly enacted rituals and prayers of religious communities. The term encompasses clergy, lay leaders, and scholars who work together to shape worship services, rites, and sacramental practices across traditions.

In practical terms, liturgists plan the order of worship, select or compose prayers, readings, and responses, and coordinate music, incense, vestments, and spatial arrangement. They oversee liturgical calendars and seasons such as Advent, Lent, and Easter, and guide rites of passage such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. In congregations, they collaborate with clergy, musicians, catechists, and volunteers to align ritual practice with doctrinal beliefs, pastoral aims, and cultural context. They may also be responsible for liturgical translations, rubrics, and the adaptation of rites for local needs while maintaining continuity with tradition.

Historically, liturgy developed from early Jewish and Christian worship and evolved through medieval rites, Reformation reforms, and modern ecumenical movements. In the 20th and 21st centuries, liturgists have emphasized liturgical renewal, participatory worship, vernacular language, inclusive language, and ecumenical cooperation, as well as the incorporation of new musical styles and multimedia elements.

In academic and ecclesial settings, liturgists study the historical origins of rites, the theology of worship, and the social impact of ritual, publishing scholarly work and advising congregations and church bodies on best practices and reform efforts.