What Is Covenanters Reformed Presbyterian (ARP)?

Covenanters Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) refers to a congregation in the Reformed Presbyterian tradition that is affiliated with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church. The name "Covenanters" points to the Scottish Covenanting movement, while "ARP" identifies the denomination. If you are trying to identify this church, understand its worship practices, or tell it apart from other Presbyterian groups, the key is to look at both parts of the name: the historical Covenanter identity and the modern ARP affiliation.

Where the Name Comes From

The term Covenanter originally described Scottish Presbyterians in the 17th century who signed national covenants binding themselves to Reformed doctrine and church government. They resisted state interference in the church and are remembered for their commitment to the Westminster Standards.

When a congregation today calls itself "Covenanters Reformed Presbyterian," it is signaling continuity with that heritage: a Reformed, Presbyterian, historically covenant-conscious identity.

Covenanters and the ARP Connection

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) is a separate Presbyterian denomination with its own history, rooted in Scottish and Irish Presbyterian immigration to North America. A congregation can carry the "Covenanters" name while belonging to the ARP denomination.

So the label works in two layers:

This is why the name can look confusing: "Covenanters" and "ARP" come from different historical streams, but a local church may use both to describe its identity and denominational home.

Beliefs and Worship Practices

Reformed Presbyterian and ARP congregations typically share:

• The Westminster Standards — the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, and Shorter Catechism as doctrinal summaries.
• The regulative principle of worship — the conviction that worship should be ordered by what Scripture commands rather than by human invention.
• Presbyterian government — leadership by elders (session), with broader courts above the local congregation.
• Reformed theology — salvation by grace through faith, the sovereignty of God, and covenant theology.

A congregation's own statement of faith may quote the Westminster Standards directly. For example, one ARP congregation's site cites Chapter XXI, Section II, on religious worship:

"Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creature: and, since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone."

That quotation illustrates the regulative principle in practice: worship is directed to God alone, through Christ alone.

A Concrete Example

The Covenanters ARP congregation in Cambridge, Nova Scotia, illustrates how this tradition looks on the ground. According to its website:

• Location: 6185 Hwy#1, Cambridge, NS B0P 1G0
• Services: Sundays at 10:00 am and 4:30 pm
• Nursery: Provided for both services

If you are looking for a church in this tradition, checking a congregation's service times, location, and stated standards is the practical way to confirm whether it fits what you are seeking.

How It Differs from Other Presbyterian Groups

Presbyterian churches in North America are not one body. To avoid confusion:

• ARP (Associate Reformed Presbyterian): a distinct denomination; a "Covenanters ARP" church belongs here.
• RPCNA (Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America): another denomination with Covenanter roots, but a different body from the ARP.
• PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) and OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church): other Reformed Presbyterian denominations with their own histories and standards.

The practical takeaway: "Reformed Presbyterian" describes a theological and governmental tradition, while the acronym after it (ARP, RPCNA, PCA, OPC) tells you which denomination a specific congregation belongs to.

What to Check If You Are Considering a Visit

• Confirm the denomination the church is affiliated with, not just the word "Presbyterian" in its name.
• Look for a statement of faith or confession on its website to see which standards it holds.
• Check service times and location, since these vary by congregation.
• Note whether nursery or other provisions are offered if you are bringing children.

For the Cambridge, Nova Scotia congregation, those details are Sundays at 10:00 am and 4:30 pm at 6185 Hwy#1, with nursery provided at both services.