Presbyterianism

====Worship====
{{Main|Presbyterian worship}}
Presbyterian denominations that trace their heritage to the British Isles usually organise their church services inspired by the principles in the [[Directory of Public Worship]], developed by the [[Westminster Assembly]] in the 1640s. This directory documented [[Reformed worship]] practices and theology adopted and developed over the preceding century by British [[Puritan]]s, initially guided by John Calvin and John Knox. It was enacted as law by the [[Scottish Parliament]], and became one of the foundational documents of Presbyterian church legislation elsewhere.

[[File:Presbyterian Catechising.jpg|thumb|Presbyterian [[Catechesis|catechising]], 19th century|upright=1.2]]
Historically, the driving principle in the development of the standards of Presbyterian worship is the [[Regulative principle of worship]], which specifies that (in worship), what is not commanded is forbidden.<ref>[[Westminster Confession of Faith]], Chapter XXI, paragraph I</ref>

Over subsequent centuries, many Presbyterian churches modified these prescriptions by introducing hymnody, instrumental accompaniment, and ceremonial [[vestment]]s into worship. However, there is not one fixed "Presbyterian" worship style. Although there are set services for the [[Lord's Day]] in keeping with [[first-day Sabbatarianism]],<ref name="Wigley1980">{{cite book|last=Wigley|first=John|title=The Rise and Fall of the Victorian Sunday|year=1980|publisher=Manchester University Press|language=en|isbn=978-0-7190-0794-1|page=800|quote=Following the formulation of the Westminster Confession, fully fledged Sabbatarianism quickly took root too, being embodied in an Act of 1661, then spreading northwards and westwards as the Highlands were opened up after the '45, during which time the doctrine lost its original force and vigour in the Lowlands.|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofvictor0000wigl}}</ref> one can find a service to be evangelical and even revivalist in tone (especially in some conservative denominations), or strongly liturgical, approximating the practices of [[Lutheranism]] or more of [[Anglicanism]] (especially where Scottish tradition is esteemed),{{Clarify|date=January 2010}} or semi-formal, allowing for a balance of hymns, preaching, and congregational participation (favored by many American Presbyterians). Most Presbyterian churches follow the traditional liturgical year and observe the traditional holidays, holy seasons, such as Advent, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, etc. They also make use of the appropriate seasonal liturgical colors, etc. Many incorporate ancient liturgical prayers and responses into the communion services and follow a daily, seasonal, and festival lectionary. Other Presbyterians, however, such as the [[Reformed Presbyterian churches|Reformed Presbyterians]], would practice [[a cappella]] [[exclusive psalmody]], as well as eschew the celebration of holy days.

Among the [[Paleo-orthodoxy|paleo-orthodox]] and [[emerging church]] movements in Protestant and evangelical churches, in which some Presbyterians are involved, clergy are moving away from the traditional black [[Geneva gown]] to such vestments as the [[alb]] and [[chasuble]], but also [[cassock]] and [[surplice]] (typically a full-length Old English style surplice which resembles the [[Celts|Celtic]] alb, an ungirdled liturgical tunic of the old [[Gallican Rite]]), which some, particularly those identifying with the Liturgical Renewal Movement, hold to be more ancient and representative of a more ecumenical past.[[File:A Scottish Sacrament.jpg|thumb|''A Scottish Sacrament'', by Henry John Dobson|upright=1.2]]