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Another item worth noting is that from a church perspective Reformed is generally associated with conservative Presbyterianism, as in the NAPARC churches. These Presbyterians are not to be confused with the Presbyterian Church USA [PC(USA], a liberal group that has long since abandoned its confessional basis.
To get a sense of the environment out there, see:
http://www.tateville.com/churches.html
Another distinctive among the Reformed is the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW).
Briefly stated, the RPW is a positive command, approved example, and deduced by good and necessary consequence. There are elements and circumstances. Circumstances must be ordered by Christian prudence and the light of nature, according to the general rules of the Word.
From the RPW we can only institute those elements in worship which God has explicitly laid down in Scripture. Within the RPW, there is an important distinction between elements and circumstances of worship: elements have to do with that which is directly concerned with the worship of God (Word and prayer), while circumstances are, well, circumstances (e.g., where you worship, when you worship, whether you use pews or not, etc.).
The elements of Worship are listed in the Westminster Confession of Faith itself. They are the following (WCF 21.5):
You will not find any of the usual happy-clappy instances of worship—e.g., Finneyism's lachrymose altar calls while "Just As I Am" is being played on an organ, rock bands, images of the Persons of the Trinity—and other grievous aromas reaching God's nostrils within a conservative Reformed (Presbyterian) church. The normative worship principle is, if Scripture does not forbid it then it is permissible. On the other hand the regulative principle is, if Scripture does not command it then it is forbidden. The normative principle is for all of life whereas the regulative principle is for faith and worship.
AMR
To get a sense of the environment out there, see:
http://www.tateville.com/churches.html
Another distinctive among the Reformed is the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW).
Briefly stated, the RPW is a positive command, approved example, and deduced by good and necessary consequence. There are elements and circumstances. Circumstances must be ordered by Christian prudence and the light of nature, according to the general rules of the Word.
From the RPW we can only institute those elements in worship which God has explicitly laid down in Scripture. Within the RPW, there is an important distinction between elements and circumstances of worship: elements have to do with that which is directly concerned with the worship of God (Word and prayer), while circumstances are, well, circumstances (e.g., where you worship, when you worship, whether you use pews or not, etc.).
The elements of Worship are listed in the Westminster Confession of Faith itself. They are the following (WCF 21.5):
5. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear, (Acts 15:21, Rev. 1:3) the sound preaching (2 Tim. 4:2) and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith and reverence, (James 1:22, Acts 10:33, Matt. 13:19, Heb. 4:2, Isa. 66:2) singing of psalms with grace in the heart; (Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19, 13, James 5:13) as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: (Matt. 28:19, 1 Cor. 11:23-29, Acts 2:42) beside religious oaths, (Deut. 6:13, Neh. 10:29) vows, (Isa. 19:21, Eccl. 5:4-5) solemn fastings, (Joel 2:12, Esth. 4:16, Matt. 9:15, 1 Cor. 7:5) and thanksgivings upon special occasions, (Ps. 107, Esth. 9:22) which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner. (Heb. 12:28).
You will not find any of the usual happy-clappy instances of worship—e.g., Finneyism's lachrymose altar calls while "Just As I Am" is being played on an organ, rock bands, images of the Persons of the Trinity—and other grievous aromas reaching God's nostrils within a conservative Reformed (Presbyterian) church. The normative worship principle is, if Scripture does not forbid it then it is permissible. On the other hand the regulative principle is, if Scripture does not command it then it is forbidden. The normative principle is for all of life whereas the regulative principle is for faith and worship.
AMR