There are many meanings of and misunderstandings about this word.  “Reformed” refers to our general doctrinal (or teaching and belief) position, and refers back to the most important movement in Christianity since the foundation of the church in the first centuries.  The Protestant Reformation began in Europe almost 500 years ago, and should be the defining moment for all forms of Christianity outside the Roman Catholic church.  What was meant to “reform” the universal Roman church ended up becoming a revolution and a whole new branch of the faith called Protestantism.  The “protest” was against the church adding things to the gospel and Word of God, and came from a strong belief in the absolute sovereignty of God above and in all things.  The Holy Scriptures in the Bible alone were recommitted to as the sole authority for the church and believers.  Christ and His work alone was acknowledged as the only basis for justification and reconciliation with God.  Similar positions were taken on “grace alone,” “faith alone,” and for “God’s glory alone.”  These five slogans became known as the “sola” (from the Latin term for “alone”) statements, which were the creeds of the Reformation.  We feel that all problems within Christianity today can be identified as relating to one of these foundation pillars, and that the church is still in need of a modern “reformation.”  In other words, we try to not “add to” nor “take away from” the gospel and the Word of God.  How that works itself out in teaching, worship, living and application is the key to being really “reformed” in the love of Christ.

RADICAL:

Again, this is a popular “buzz” word today in churches, so it is important to understand what we mean by this word also.  Radical often implies a rebellious or un-submissive nature, but that is the opposite of what we mean here. With all the false gospels, erosion of Biblical authority, easy believism, cheap grace, and the focus on getting emotional “decisions” instead of truly born again disciples, it is no wonder the church in America is seen as blended into the mainstream of the culture and its worldview.  Any believer or church that really proclaims the gospel, believes the Bible to be the Word of God, follows Christ in both good and bad times, makes disciples and is devoted more to a depth of life rather than a superficial “add on” to worldly living and our own desires, will inevitably be seen as “radical.”  Our relationship with God through Christ is a new life altogether (“born again”) and should transform all other aspects of our lives, not the other way around.  As the one true “faith” (God reaching man) in the world, Christianity should be much more “radical” than any “religion” (man trying to reach God)!