What is a Presbyterian?

Presbyterians are a group of Protestants whose church is founded on a democratic rule under the Word of God. The Presbyterian denomination is a form of Christianity democratically organized to embrace the faith common to all Christians. Anyone who can be a Christian can be a Presbyterian. All that is required to be a Presbyterian is to:

• Confess Christ as Lord
• Trust in Christ as our forgiving Savior
• Promise to follow Christ and Christ's example for living
• Commit oneself to attend church and to become involved in its work

Grace Covenant is a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which is the largest Presbyterian denomination.

What do Presbyterians Believe?

There is no strict set of beliefs which unites Presbyterians or separates them from other followers of Christ. Like other Christians Presbyterians believe in:

• God the Creator of the universe
• Christ the incarnation of God on earth
• Holy Spirit the presence of God in the world and in the believer
• The Church a universal company of Christ's followers
• Forgiveness of Sin made possible by the crucifixion of Jesus
• Life Everlasting shown by the resurrection of Jesus
• The Bible the inspired word of God

At Grace Covenant we have identified the following 12 principles and Scripture references as characteristic ideals in our life of faith together.

Guiding Principles

1. God's grace as revealed in Jesus Christ prevails over all else.
   John 1:16: Romans 8:31-39
2. Faith - not fear - motivates and defines our lives.
   Isaiah 42:1-3a: John 14:27
3. Worship is central to our personal and congregational life, is shaped around the celebration of Jesus' resurrection, and is expressed in part through an emphasis on music.
   Exodus 20:81-11: John 4:20-26: Psalm 98
4. We practice hospitality towards all people, welcoming strangers in the belief that God comes to us through one another.
   Genesis 18:1-15: Hebrews 13:2
5. Service is an essential expression of our faith.
   Matthew 25:31-46: John 13:1-20
6. Spreading the good news of Jesus Christ through both our words and deeds defines our daily life.
   Matthew 28:18-20: I John 3:18
7. God desires our pursuit of knowledge and truth so that Jesus' teachings will influence all aspects of our lives.
   John 8:31-32: Colossians 1:9-14
8. We offer our God-given gifts of time, talents and treasures toward the building of God's kingdom in response to God's call that we be stewards of all we have received.
   Genesis 2:15: John 14:8-14: I Corinthians 12:4-11
9. In all our choices we strive to seek first the kingdom of God.
   Matthew 6:19-21: I John 2:15-17
10. We are sinners who are to forgive as we have been forgiven by God.
    Matthew 6:12: Romans 3:23
11. Miracles happen!
    Matthew 19:26: Hebrews 11:1
12. These guiding principles, like the life of faith, are ideals we pursue rather than an ideology we possess.
    Ephesians 4:11-16: Phillippians 3:12-16