There are many discussions and debates in what we call in the reformed world, the "worship wars." There are strong opinions and arguments for traditional, "historic" worship (with attention to traditional liturgies, prayers, use of the church calendar, etc.),
and for contemporary, "relevant" or "blended" worship (with attention to contemporary music styles, tastes, and culture).
Equally important is the Reformed argument for the so-called Puritan "Regulative Principle of Worship," that is that the Scripture alone should be our sufficient guide for worship and where it speaks to worship, we should definitely say "Amen!" and where it is silent, should we likewise be.
This approach to the elements of Christian worship is typical of Mennonite,
Congregational and historic Baptist churches. This is in contrast to the Anglican and Lutheran position on worship that what is not forbidden in Scripture is allowable for worship.
The Covenantal Principle of Worship
Rock Presbyterian Church takes a moderating position between the Puritans and Anglicans. Our philosophy of worship is called the "Covenantal Principle of Worship." This approach recognizes the sufficiency of Holy Scripture to guide our worship and inform our worship, but it does not view Holy Scripture as a legal text with which to deduce the form of new covenant worship. For example, the Puritans eschewed observing the church calendar precisely because there is no command to observe it. However, Paul commends those who observe special days "unto the Lord" (Rom. 14). Equally, the Lord Jesus observed a Jewish day of remembrance--Hanukkah-- a day neither mentioned in the Law of God, nor anywhere commanded to be observed (See John 10:22ff).
The Worship Renewal Movement
In recent days there has been interest in a recovery of the Christian tradition of liturgical worship among Presbyterians. The Scottish church has always maintained a moderate position between Anglicanism and Puritanism. John Knox's liturgy of worship,
what has now become the Book of Common Order in the Church of Scotland, would never have been acceptable to the English Puritans or the dissenting Presbyterian Covenanters or Seceders of the 1700's in the Church of Scotland.
In the 1960's, there was a renewed interest in the mainline churches for "high-church worship." Efforts were made at a common collection of texts for a revised common lectionary in the mainline churches, based upon the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. There was equally renewed interest away from the "business suit" look for ministers, who were returning to the European wearing of clerical collars and in non-reformed traditions, the use of vestments for priests and ministers.
The Reformed churches had always preferred the use of the Geneva or "Academic" gown to identify the ordained Teaching Elder,
who had received training (particularly in Biblical languages and theology). The Geneva gown, accompanied by a stole matching the liturgical season, was worn over the common "cassock," (the parish "house-coat")
which is still worn by ministers in the Church of Scotland and by Anglican and some Lutheran clergy.
For two good discussions on the use of clericals and the Geneva Robe:
Renewal at Rock Presbyterian Church
In the mid-1960's, the re-
organizing ministers such as the Rev. Dr. Eichelberger and the Rev. Irvin Gates wore clericals and the traditional Geneva gown. So too, at Rock
Church, Rev. Johnson preaches in the traditional apparel of the reformed churches. In essence, the leadership of Rock Church desired to return to the traditions of Scottish Presbyterianism in their worship and identity as a Presbyterian and Reformed church.
