What is Reformed?
Reformed means we have a heritage. We have come from somewhere, which means it is also likely that we are headed somewhere.

Reformed churches claim their identity from the Reformation. Of course our story begins earlier. We come out of the Apostolic church, and the church of the Middle Ages as well, but in the modern era we identify with the Reformers interested in seeing an uncluttered and apostolic church present in their time. So we would agree with the three-angled reform instituted: that the church be reformed in government, theology and worship according to Scripture.

While we have affinity with Martin Luther (1483-1546) the German monk who touched off the movement, and John Calvin (1509-1564) the great organizer and systematizer, as well as with other reformers, our tradition comes most directly out of the English Reformation. We are the theological/ecclesiastical descendants of the Westminster Assembly (1643-1648), which authored the 33 chapter Westminster Confession of Faith as a summary of biblical doctrine for the churches in England. In 1648, the Presbyterians, and some Congregationalists, in America also adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith for their own use.

The Reformed movement, while being well defined theologically was not intended to be a static movement, but dynamic. The great inheritance of the Reformation is a willingness to apply sound gospel doctrine to the deep brokenness of persons, circumstances, and systems. The Reformation genius was an ability to be innovative without falling prey to trends and fads, which come on quickly and die off just as fast. Reformed churches in our time continue to strive to proclaim the gospel in ways both current and timeless.