High Church

Protestantism

What is High Church Protestantism?

In the context of the CREC, it refers to a form of Protestant faith and practice that emphasizes the visible, structured, and liturgical aspects of the Church—such as formal worship, creeds and confessions, the sacraments, and historic ecclesiology—while remaining thoroughly Reformed in doctrine. It values the continuity of the Church through time, respects tradition without subordinating Scripture to it, and seeks to recover a Reformed catholic vision that honors both the spiritual and institutional dimensions of Christ’s body.

Covenant Renewal Service

We practice a weekly Covenant Renewal Service in which we have a focus on repentance and recommitment of ourselves to God and his covenant. A CREC Covenant Renewal Service follows a liturgical pattern that reflects the biblical structure of worship as covenantal encounter. This service is shaped around a fivefold covenant sequence, rooted in Scripture (e.g., Deuteronomy, Leviticus), and is often described as Call, Confession, Consecration, Communion, and Commission

  • God initiates the service by calling His people into His presence. The congregation responds with praise, recognizing God as the Lord of the covenant.

  • We acknowledge our sins before a holy God, and He responds with mercy and forgiveness, renewing our relationship with Him.

  • God consecrates His people through the reading and preaching of His Word; we respond with faith, prayer, song, and offerings.

  • At the Lord’s Table, we renew fellowship with God and one another by partaking of Christ's body and blood in faith.

  • God sends His renewed people into the world with His blessing, to live as faithful servants in His kingdom.

“Worship is the central political act of the Church. It forms us into a new polis, a heavenly city come to earth.”

Peter Leithart

What To Expect

Our worship service follows a historic, covenant renewal liturgy rooted in Reformed theology and shaped by Scripture. Though we are a small church plant meeting in a rented space, we approach worship with reverence, joy, and order, reflecting our belief that the Lord's Day is a holy gathering of God’s people before His throne. You can expect Scripture readings, creeds, psalms and hymns, confession of sin, preaching of the Word, weekly communion, and a sending benediction. Many of us dress more formally out of respect for the occasion, but all are welcome—whether in a suit or jeans. Children remain with us throughout the service, and the whole family is invited to worship together as we seek to honor Christ in all things.