According to the Christian Research Institute:
| “ | "Low Church" is a neutral term that simply describes a type of worship that does not follow a prescribed order of service, that does not follow certain liturgical patterns, and does not make use of developed ritual, ceremony, or worship accouterments like vestments. From Webster's Dictionary: "Low Church (1710) tending esp. in Anglican worship to minimize emphasis on the priesthood, sacraments, and the ceremonial in worship and often to emphasize evangelical principles." By contrast: "High Church (1687) tending esp. in Anglican worship to stress the sacerdotal [priestly], liturgical, ceremonial, traditional, and Catholic elements in worship."[1] | ” |
Churches which generally are considered "low church" are those with Congregationalist ties such as Baptists and Churches of Christ. These churches often have a standard order of service, but rarely with the formalities seen in high church services.
The Church of England and other Anglican churches originated the term low church and meant for the term to be pejorative. In modern times, however, it is no longer seen as a pejorative term.
In the UK the Church of England is shrinking while "low church" evangelicalism grows
In the UK, partly due to immigration, evangelicalism (which is low church) is growing and shaking up the Church of England.[2]