What We Believe
As Presbyterians, we believe in the Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the divine inspiration and authority of the Bible, the power of prayer, the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, that all Christians are called to ministry, and that the purpose of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
“In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth praying, ‘Come Lord Jesus.’” —From a Brief Statement of Faith Presbuteros, the Greek word meaning elder, is used 72 times in the New Testament. It provided the name for the Presbyterian family of churches, which includes the Reformed churches of the world. Both Presbyterian and Reformed are synonymous with churches of the Calvinist tradition.
We Are Believers and Doers
Presbyterians Are LOOKING TOWARD The 21ST CENTURY
Presbyterians are facing the 21st century with a vision of ministry that is vibrant and inviting and reflects the love and justice of Jesus Christ.
The denomination has set four mission priorities for the next phase of our life as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
Evangelism — We are called to invite all people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, by working for growth and renewal of individuals and congregational families of faith.
Justice — We are called to redress wrongs in every aspect of life and the whole of creation, working with the poor and the powerless, whom Jesus loves, even at risk to our corporate and personal lives.
Spiritual Formation — We are called to study and reflect on Holy Scripture, praying with one another for insight and clarity, so that the Holy Spirit might mold our lives more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ, the living word.
Partnership — We are called to forge a vital partnership with one another, marked by mutual respect, openness, daily repentance, and forgiveness. With the knowledge that in life and death we belong to God, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continues the journey with hope and confidence as we move toward a third century of witness and service to a world in need of love.
Reformed Theology
Presbyterian Worship
The order of a Sunday worship service in a Presbyterian church is determined by the pastor and the session, the church’s governing body. It generally includes prayer, music, Bible reading and a sermon based upon scripture. The Sacraments, a time of personal response/offering, and a sharing of community concerns are also parts of worship.
The constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) suggests that worship be ordered in terms of five major actions centered in the word of God (gathering around the word, proclaiming the word, responding to the word, the sealing of the word, and bearing and following the word into the world), but recognizes that “other orders of worship may also serve the needs of a particular church and be orderly, faithful to Scripture, and true to historic principles.” (Book of Order, W-3.3202)