Our Denomination
Westminster is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
How do Presbyterians decide what to believe?
Presbyterians believe that each person is called to work out his or her beliefs based on two primary sources of authority. First, our highest and only infallible authority as a Church is the Holy Bible, which we believe to be God-breathed. Second, we use the historic creeds and confessions of the church, which are not meant to replace Scripture, but to reinforce it and clarify what we believe as it is found in Scripture.
Presbyterians emphasize education and study of Scripture and creeds, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit in their interpretation. While we believe in the truth of our own doctrines, we affirm churches and members of other Christian denominations as full members of Christ’s body.
Scripture
From the earliest times, Presbyterians have affirmed that the Bible is the highest authoritative source for faith and practice, and teaches us of the creative and redemptive power of God. We believe the Bible is the Word of God written by people who were inspired by Him for the purpose of revealing His love and truth.
Confessions and Creeds
The PC(USA) is a confessional church, which means that our basic beliefs are embodied in creeds and confessions produced by great councils of the church. The creeds and confessions are tools meant to help us understand Scripture. Presbyterians have always affirmed that these declarations of belief must reflect the truths found in the Bible.
What do Presbyterians believe?
Presbyterians are a lot like other Christians in the essentials of our beliefs, but there are certain things that set us apart from the other churches in town. We focus on the sovereignty of the Almighty God in all things from creation to salvation. We place a high value on studying and relying upon the Holy Scriptures to guide us, as we believe they are our highest and only infallible authority. Presbyterians also emphasize that salvation is a free gift from God and is obtained by grace through faith, not something any one of us can earn, but we believe that good works are a necessary response to faith because a faith without works is dead. We believe that after being justified (made right before God by the washing away of our sins on the cross), we must be sanctified (the process of becoming more like Jesus throughout our lives).
In worship, Presbyterians focus primarily on two things: the preaching of the Word and the right administration of the sacraments, which include baptism and Holy Communion. We believe that baptism is a rite established by God to demonstrate the washing away of sins. It is given to both believers and the children of believers because it conveys the promises God has made to His covenant people, the Church, and is a means of salvation for those who trust in Christ (1 Peter 3:21). We believe that in Holy Communion, we partake in the body and blood of Jesus Christ spiritually through the Holy Spirit and receive spiritual nourishment that unites us with Christ and helps us grow in faith in Christ.
Presbyterian churches are led by a session of elders elected by the congregation so that no one person can get too powerful. We trust our leaders to faithfully guide us according to the Scriptures, and the Presbyterian system of Church government helps hold them accountable to this.
Do Presbyterians Believe in Predestination?
There are subtleties that set Presbyterians apart, and one of them is the belief in predestination. But it may not be what you think! Predestination is not the belief that everything we do in life has been pre-ordained, nor does it mean that some are chosen for heaven and others for hell. That’s called predeterminism. Predestination is the belief that God has given us salvation even before we are born. There is nothing we can do to gain it or to lose it. Like our birth, it is simply a gift. It’s a pretty good belief, don’t you think?
You do not need to be a Presbyterian to attend WPC or even to become a member! Anyone is welcome to attend our church regardless of beliefs and we will welcome you with open arms whether you are a Christian or not! To become a member, you must be a Christian but you do not have to affirm any Presbyterian-specific doctrines. You only need to believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior to be a member of WPC!
Do I have to be Presbyterian to attend or join?
How do Presbyterian Beliefs Play Out at WPC?
At Westminster, we believe that we are all on a journey toward the heart of God. We study the Scriptures together in worship, Sunday School, and Bible studies, and we participate in the Sacraments together regularly. We build each other up in faith and fellowship and pray for one another.
We also believe that Church is not just for us, but for God. Just as Christ came not to be served but to serve, we at WPC exist to serve. We serve each other, we serve our community, and we serve the world.
We want to help you grow as a follower of Christ and nurture your faith. We do this together through worship, education, mission, and fellowship. We are all disciples of Christ, helping each other live in response to God choosing us, loving us, and blessing us with His amazing grace.