The name “Presbyterian” comes from the Bible. In the Greek Bible, the word presbyteros occurs about sixty times in the New Testament. This word, when pronounced in Greek, sounds very much like the word “Presbyterian.” It means an elder. Literally speaking, a Presbyterian church is a church governed by elders.
Studies of the primitive church make it clear that the exact type of government then in use varied from place to place. It is impossible to claim that any present form of church government is in harmony with that set forth in The Acts of the Apostles and in the New Testament letters. Having said this, however, most acknowledge that the greatest church is not the one that has the most scriptural form of government but the one that holds in purest form the gospel of Christ, the one that is the most obedient to the Spirit, and the one that is doing most to advance God’s reign on earth.
Presbyterian Calling
A faithful member accepts Christ’s call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of the church. Such involvement includes:
- proclaiming the good news,
- taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church,
- praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian church,
- supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents,
- participating in the governing responsibilities of the church,
- demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church,
- responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others,
- living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life,
- working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.
We invite you to join us on our journey of faith!