Part One: Reformed Faith
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) expresses the faith of the Reformed tradition. Central to this tradition is the affirmation of the majesty, holiness, and providence of God who creates, sustains, rules and redeems the world in sovereign love; the election of the people of God for service as well as for salvation is God's doing. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe in One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The eternal God was incarnate in Jesus Christ. In the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ there is assurance of God's victory over sin, Satan and death. Christ's activity in the world continues through the Holy Spirit. We at Trinity believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; there is no other name in heaven or on earth by which we can be saved.
We believe the Church, which Jesus Christ is the head, is called to be a sign in and for the world of the new reality where sin is forgiven, reconciliation is accomplished. There is one Church of which the PCUSA is only one denomination and Trinity Presbyterian is only one congregation.
We believe the Bible to be the God-breathed Word written through the hands of His servants and our ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe an inseparable connection exists between faith and practice. We believe there is no superior race or gender but all are created in the image of God. In gratitude to God, we seek to live holy and joyful lives even while we watch for the new heaven and new earth, praying "Come Lord Jesus."
Part Two: Form of Government
Presbyterian comes from a New Testament word meaning "elder." Presbyterian refers to a particular type of church government whereby elders, elected by the people in a particular church body, are responsible for the mission and government of that church body. The governing body of a local congregation is called the Session. Our Session is composed of 9 Elders and the Pastor, who serves as Moderator. We are neither "congregational" nor "hierarchical"; we are "representative" in organization. We believe our form of government is biblical–but not the only biblical–form of government.
Church Officers
We believe God calls men and women to ministry through the voice of the people of God. The offices of our church are Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (Pastors), Elders (who strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge) and Deacons (who minister to those in need such as the sick, the friendless and anyone who may be in distress.
The "Three C's" of the Presbyterian Church
We are Connectional. The church's unity expresses itself in our connection to higher governing bodies. Our connected-ness allows us to do more in our mission that we could do on our own.
We are Confessional. We identify our creeds as a way of communicating to the world who and what we are, what we believe, and what we resolve to do.
We are Constitutional. We believe in order. Just as our country decides matters of government, we also administer ourselves according to a constitution. |
