Reformed names a theological tradition with roots in the Swiss and French Reformation. Presbyterian describes government by elders, from the Greek word presbyteros. The terms overlap: Presbyterian churches are usually Reformed, but not every Reformed church has the same governing structure.
Where it came from
Sixteenth-century reformers including Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin sought to reshape church teaching and worship around Scripture. Their ideas spread through Europe, taking distinctive forms in places such as Scotland and the Netherlands. Migration, mission, and local Christian communities later made this a worldwide family.
Reformed churches produced confessions and catechisms, public statements and teaching summaries of their beliefs. These documents give churches a shared language, but their authority and interpretation differ among denominations.
What it emphasizes
God's sovereignty means God's ultimate authority and initiative. Salvation is understood as a gift of grace through Christ, rather than something people achieve for themselves. Scripture guides faith, teaching, and church life. Gratitude for grace should shape everyday work, care for neighbors, and the pursuit of justice.
Election and predestination concern God's choosing and purpose in salvation. These are significant themes, but they do not exhaust Reformed Christianity. Churches differ in how they explain divine choice, human freedom, and the scope of salvation. Compare Election and perseverance and Salvation and works.
Most churches in this family recognize baptism and Communion as sacraments. Infant baptism expresses God's initiative and the child's place within the covenant community: a community bound by God's promises. Adults are also baptized. Reformed Christians regard Communion as a meaningful part of life with Christ. Explanations and practice vary among churches. See Baptism and Communion.
Worship and organization
Scripture reading and preaching usually have a prominent place, alongside prayer, song, and Communion. Worship can be restrained or contemporary. Presbyterian congregations share leadership between ministers and elders, with regional and wider assemblies providing accountability. This spreads responsibility beyond one leader.
Differences within the family
The family includes churches with strict commitments to historic confessions and others that give those documents a more flexible role. Churches disagree about biblical interpretation, women's ordination, sexuality, and approaches to public life. These differences sometimes produce separate denominations.
A Presbyterian label therefore does not tell you every belief or policy of a particular church. The World Communion of Reformed Churches connects many bodies, while others belong to different networks. Explore Biblical authority and Women and ministry for fuller arguments.
Sources & further reading
A question in the margin is a good place to begin.