A Summary of a ByFaith Magazine Article on Reformed Worship

Have you ever wondered why our worship service begins with a “call to worship”? It might seem like just a nice way to get everyone settled and focused—but according to a thoughtful article in ByFaith magazine (the official publication of the Presbyterian Church in America), there’s a lot more going on.

This post is part of an ongoing series exploring the elements of liturgy in our church—why we do what we do each Sunday, and how each part of the service shapes our worship and deepens our faith. Our goal is to help every member, regardless of background or experience, better understand the biblical and theological meaning behind our worship practices.

Written by a seminary professor who has taught worship courses in the Reformed tradition, the article reflects on how students evaluate real PCA worship services as part of their coursework. One key element that stands out, for better or worse, is how the “call to worship” is handled. The professor notes that while most PCA churches include a call to worship, it’s often misunderstood or misused—sometimes turning into a poetic reflection or a general statement about God, rather than what it historically and biblically is: a command from God, spoken through the minister, inviting His people into His presence to give Him praise.

Historically, the idea of a call to worship evolved over time. In early Anglican worship, the focus at the start of the service was on confession and assurance, rather than an actual summons to worship. It was during the time of the Westminster Assembly in the 1600s—where many of our Presbyterian practices were shaped—that a clear “call to worship” was introduced as the very beginning of the service. The idea was simple but powerful: once the congregation gathered, the minister would begin by calling the people, in God’s name, to worship—usually using direct quotations from Scripture.

So what makes a call to worship a true “call”? It needs to include an imperative—a divine command like “Come, let us sing to the Lord” (Psalm 95), not just a personal prayer or an inspiring thought. That’s because worship is a sacred conversation between God and His people, and it begins with God speaking first. Through the minister, God invites His children to respond with praise, thanksgiving, and reverence. This pattern—God speaks, and we respond—is foundational to how we structure the rest of the service.

The article also cautions that when ministers skip or misapply the call to worship, something gets lost. The congregation may miss that this isn’t just a religious gathering or a spiritual pep talk—it’s an encounter with the living God. Worship is primarily vertical—between us and God—not just about fellowship, education, or outreach. When we understand the call to worship rightly, it resets our focus: we’re not just here to feel better or learn something new, we’re here because God Himself has invited us.

In the end, the call to worship isn’t about tradition for tradition’s sake. It’s about starting worship the way Scripture shows us—by recognizing that God initiates, and we respond. As you hear the call to worship next Sunday, don’t let it be background noise. Hear it for what it is: a gracious summons from your Creator, Redeemer, and King to enter His presence with joyful praise.