PCA Worship

[Martin]

Hello. I am curious about what to expect when attending a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) service on Sunday mornings. Is there a set standard? I am mainly curious to know if they would be labeled contemporary or traditional and such. Thanks.

 

[Philip]

The PCA runs the gamut from extremely traditional to very contemporary---often in the same presbytery. Mississippi tends toward the traditional side of things, but it really depends on the church.

 

[Marrow Man]

If possible/available, visit the church website. You may be able to tell that way. If that fails, contact the pastor and ask him.

 

[Pilgrim]

If possible/available, visit the church website. You may be able to tell that way. If that fails, contact the pastor and ask him.

Some of dem country Missipi PCA churches ain't gonna have no website an mebbe no pastor neither.

But I think Eric is not too far out in the sticks.

 

[Edward]

Faith Brookhaven

Worship Style
Traditional, but we've been known to mix in a guitar or two from time to time. We sing hymns with rich lyrics that help us better see Jesus and his love. We pray because we know we need God's help. We turn to God's Word to hear from him.
Faith Presbyterian Church / Faith / Home

That being said, by looking at their website, I'm guessing they may be trending toward blended.

New Covenant McComb

* To that end, we affirm that:

We are to worship God as He commands, not as we propose
God desires the obedient praise of His people

* We seek for our worship to be:

Biblical
Characterized by both reverence and joy
Structured but not stuffy
Honoring of biblical tradition while not being bound by traditionalism
Focused on that which brings pleasure to God, rather than being consumer-driven
Our Values

I couldn't find anything specific for Meadville Meadville Presbyterian Church
but my guess would be traditional in a rural sense.

 

[Scott1]

Likely, very focused on clear teaching of God's Word, and careful handling of the sacraments, within a reformed theology framework for faith and practice.

The size of the congregation, as in any denomination, makes a big difference in determining the character of the particular church.

Many congregations will have Sunday School or Family Bible School in times adjacent to the service, make a point to attend one of those as well to get a better perspective to answer your question.

Very likely, you will be struck by the high quality of biblical exposition, and the way covenant theology brings together people of every age, soli deo gloria.

 

[Gage Browning]

Having been in the PCA now for 18 years, I've seen "styles" that reminded me of High Church Anglicanism, some that looked and sounded, "Southern Baptist", and some very traditional. For instance I've seen Pastor's in Suites, a button down shirt, a black robe, and some with various colors of robes and a clerical collar.

 

[Berean]

I've seen Pastor's in Suites

Hopefully each with their wives and children.

 

[JBaldwin]

Likely, very focused on clear teaching of God's Word, and careful handling of the sacraments, within a reformed theology framework for faith and practice.

The size of the congregation, as in any denomination, makes a big difference in determining the character of the particular church.

Many congregations will have Sunday School or Family Bible School in times adjacent to the service, make a point to attend one of those as well to get a better perspective to answer your question.

Very likely, you will be struck by the high quality of biblical exposition, and the way covenant theology brings together people of every age, soli deo gloria.

I, too, have been in the PCA a long time and have seen the full spectrum, and this about sums it up, though I have a been in a few PCA churches that left me scratching my head.

 

[jwithnell]

In the south, you can find PCA churches that started with the determination to be reformed, and you can find churches that couldn't stand to be in the PCUS. The latter often (but not always!) gives a generalized warm-fuzzy southern Christianity with worship justified by: "well, if it brings them in," or we've always done it this way" or any other of a dozen reasons that have nothing to do with the RPW.

 

[Martin]

Thanks for the replies. I was researching local PCA churches, two of them being New Covenant and the other one being Faith. To me, glancing over the websites New Covenant seemed traditional while Faith seemed a little less. It made me curious to how worship is in the PCA. Personally, I prefer somewhere between traditional and high churchish.

 

[Scott1]

I was researching local PCA churches, two of them being New Covenant and the other one being Faith.

Do you mean the church names?