Reformed Churches

Reformed churches follow the theological tradition of the Protestant Reformation, particularly the teachings of John Calvin. They emphasize God's sovereignty, the doctrines of grace, covenant theology, and confessional standards.

Founded: 1520s-1530s in Switzerland through Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin; spread throughout Europe

Governance: Presbyterian or congregational (varies by tradition) — Reformed churches use either presbyterian governance (rule by elders in a multi-level court system) or modified congregational governance. Confessional standards guide theology and practice.

• The five solas: Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, glory to God alone
• Doctrines of grace (often summarized as TULIP or Calvinism)
• Covenant theology uniting the Old and New Testaments
• God's absolute sovereignty over salvation and all creation
• Adherence to historic Reformed confessions (Westminster, Heidelberg, Belgic, etc.)

Word-centered worship emphasizing Scripture reading, psalm singing, expository preaching, and prayer. Varies from formal and traditional (with psalms only) to contemporary. The sermon is typically the centerpiece of the service.