How did Pentecostal worship differ from formal Protestant worship in the early 20th century?

In the early 20th century, Pentecostal worship emerged as a distinct, emotionally charged alternative to the increasingly formal and structured services of mainstream Protestant denominations. While many traditional Protestant churches had transitioned toward ordered worship led by trained ministers and influenced by academic biblical criticism, Pentecostals sought a return to a "heart religion" characterized by direct, spontaneous experiences with the Holy Spirit.1

Key differences in worship included:

• Spontaneity vs. Formality: Pentecostal services favored enthusiastic congregational singing, spontaneous testimonies, and extemporaneous sermons, contrasting with the formal, lecture-style services of established churches.1
• Direct Experience: Pentecostalism subordinated traditional liturgy to the immediate, felt presence of the Holy Spirit. This included practices such as speaking in tongues (glossolalia), prophecy, and faith healing, which were viewed as supernatural gifts restored from the early church.2341
• Setting: While formal Protestantism moved into elegant sanctuaries, early Pentecostal worship often took place in informal settings like camp meetings, storefront missions, and wood-frame tabernacles.1

These practices were intended to revive what adherents perceived as a complacent and cold religious establishment.1