There are many ways to define a church including doctrine (what we believe and don't believe), associations (who we like and don't like), and even styles (contemporary vs. traditional). We think all of these are important but most of all we want you to meet and know Jesus Christ. The best way to find out who we are is to spend some time with us building relationships.
So, what is a Presbyterian Church? We are an evangelical Reformed protestant church sharing many of the same beliefs as other evangelical denominations. You could say that we are a connectional, covenantal, and confessional denomination. A good concise creed of an evangelical church can be found in the Apostle's Creed.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
We want to emphasize the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as well as holding to the inerrancy of Scripture. By Reformed, we mean that we are connected to the historic church and the doctrinal beliefs recovered by the Reformation. These doctrinal beliefs are expressed in the Westminster Standards (Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger & Shorter Catechisms). One other distinction worth noting is that we are covenantal. We believe that God relates to his creation through two primary covenant promises than run throughout Scripture: the covenant of works (made with Adam) and the covenant of grace (made with Jesus).
By Presbyterian, we describe our representative form of government. We are connected to other churches locally called a Presbytery and we are connected internationally through our General Assembly that meets once a year. These "higher courts" may not "act for" a lower court so we are not hierarchical in our government and neither are we Congregationalists.
Our church is a member of the Presbyterian Church of America whose vision is to be faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
PCA Facts
- Bible-believing Presbyterians began the Presbyterian Church in America (”PCA”) in 1973, with 260 congregations and 41,000 members.
- We now have over 1,500 churches and more than 340,000 members in the United States and Canada with at least 76 Presbyteries.
- The PCA is one of the fastest-growing Presbyterian denominations in North America, and is among the fastest growing of all Christian denominations.
- The PCA has over 610 long-term missionaries, 6,642 short-term workers serving worldwide.
- The PCA has over 164 chaplains in all branches of the armed services.
- The PCA has placed campus ministers on more than 80 college and university campuses all across America.
- The PCA maintains a 902-acre camp and conference center in the mountains of North Carolina.
- The PCA provides college and seminary educations through its college and theological seminary.
- The Presbyterian Church in America (”PCA”) was formed to be a denomination that is “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.”
- The PCA is an Evangelical and Reformed Presbyterian denomination. By Evangelical, we mean that we emphasize the gospel (good news of salvation) through faith in Jesus Christ, as well as affirming other orthodox Christian doctrines and holding to the inerrancy of scripture.
- By Reformed, we mean that we are connected to the teachings of the historic church and the doctrinal beliefs recovered by the Reformation. These doctrinal beliefs are expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. All officers of the PCA must personally subscribe to and uphold the teachings of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
- By Presbyterian, we describe our representative form of church government. Local churches are governed by a “Session” of “presbyters” (elders), elected by the members of the congregation. Representatives of local churches within a geographical area compose a “presbytery”. Representatives of presbyteries meet annually at “General Assembly”. Thus, through the combined efforts and resources of all the churches, we are enabled to advance God’s Kingdom much more effectively. The Committees and Agencies of the PCA help lead this Kingdom work.
- We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
- We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
- We believe that salvation is by God alone, as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based upon His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
- We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrifical death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
- We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
- We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
- We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people unto Himself.
- We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
- We desire to take the message of Jesus Christ’s atoning love on the cross to every nation so that all people will trust in Him alone for their salvation from sin.
- We want to show compassion and render mercy, to love and to serve people from every ethnic group, nation and socio-economic level.
- The mission of the PCA is to glorify and enjoy God by equipping and enabling the churches of the PCA to work together to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations, so that people will mature as servants of the triune God, will worship God in spirit and truth, and will have a reforming impact on culture.
