What do we believe at Park Presbyterian Church?

Some of our beliefs are shared by all Christians, while other beliefs are in keeping with other Protestants. Finally, some of our beliefs are more unique to us, growing out of our Presbyterian heritage.

 

Here is a snapshot:

What We Believe with All Christians

 

We believe in the mystery of a triune God. Like other Protestants, Romans Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians, we believe that there is one God who has been revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and who is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

We believe that God became one of us, in Jesus Christ. This belief, again shared with all Christians, is the supreme demonstration of God’s desire to be with us. We are not alone. God comes to us.

 

What We Believe with Other Protestants

 

We believe that we are justified by grace through faith. God’s law calls us to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We fail to do this completely—we sin. Our sin means that we are not able to approach God in and of ourselves. The decision of Jesus Christ—the Son of God—to die upon the cross enables us to be justified and drawn back to God. We do not deserve this supreme act of love by Jesus; it is an act of unmerited grace. We are saved from everlasting condemnation by trusting in this reality.

We believe in the authority of Scripture. The Bible lies at the center of the Christian faith. We believe it is the lens through which we know God, know who we are, and know how we must live. As such, we place a primacy upon the teachings of Scripture. We also believe that Scripture merits our life-long study.

 

What We Believe as Presbyterians

 

We believe in the sovereignty of God. God—and God alone—is the source and power of all that exists.

We believe God chooses human beings for salvation and for ministry. The grace given to us through the death of Jesus Christ leads us to respond with lives of filled with gratitude, and service to others.

We believe that God ministers through all believers in Christ. Scripture shows us—repeatedly—that God enlists every follower of Christ to follow God’s guidance and to spread the news of God’s amazing love in Jesus Christ.   

We believe in faithful stewardship. As we read Scripture, we see the desire of God that human beings care for each other, as well as for the rest of Creation, through simple and sustainable living practices.

We believe we easily worship things other than God. As we read Scripture—and we also examine our own lives—we admit that we often worship things other than the Lord God. We believe this same worship has a dangerous, trickle-down, effect upon our life together.

We believe God calls us to advance God’s Kingdom by transforming society. Even though we remain sinful by nature, we believe God enlists—and empowers—us to change the world for the better. This is achieved by seeking God’s justice and by leading lives obedient to the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. To this end, we believe God gives gifts to everyone to be used for the common good of all.