Mission Services or Third Services

” Simplified forms of the Daily Offices of the BCP. These simplified forms, also known as “Third Services,” began to be used in the mid-nineteenth century in pastoral contexts that were not considered appropriate for the BCP forms of the Daily Offices. For example, the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Evangelical Knowledge was organized in 1847 and subsequently published The Mission Service. It was used in the Army, the Navy, prisons, and new settlements. Bishops were authorized by the 1856 General Convention to provide simplified services for congregations that could not use the Daily Offices of the Prayer Book. The 1892 BCP permitted a third daily service drawn from the Prayer Book and used at the discretion of the diocesan bishop. Similarly, the directions “Concerning the Service of the Church” in the 1928 BCP allowed the use of “other devotions” taken from the Prayer Book, or set forth by lawful authority in the church, or from scripture. These services could take the place of the Prayer Book forms for Morning or Evening Prayer “when the edification of the Congregation so requires.” This substitution was to be done under the direction of the diocesan bishop in the case of mission churches or chapels, and with the express authorization of the bishop in cathedral or parish churches and other places. Use of these simplified services reflected a desire to encourage wider participation in the worship of the church, including those who might have struggled with some of the liturgical forms of the Prayer Book.