What can I say I’m proud to be a Presbyterian, and a second generation Presbyterian at that for my parents were raised in the Presbyterian church, married in the Presbyterian church, and continue to attend the church. Not to mention that I also come from a strong Scottish heritage too.
I was baptized into the Presbyterian Church when I was 2 months old, and was confirmed as a member of my church at the age of 14. So you might say that The First Presbyterian Church of Northville has been like a 2nd home to me growing up. and has indeed set a firm faith foundation for me all throughout my life.
But What exactly are Presbyterians?
Presbyterian Are:
Protestant: We came from the protestant reformation that began in the 1500s with the theological thought of Martin Luther & John Calvin.
Reformed & always reforming: We try to always reform our life and practice, both individually and corporately according to the teachings of scriptures.
Elected by God’s Grace: We believe we have been chosen by God’s grace. However, this election is not primarily for privilege, but rather for service. It leads us to gratitude and assurance in our faith, and is best recognized in retrospect.
Saved to share the good news with the world around us: Missions have always been a strong emphasis of our denomination.
Bible Centered: The scriptures of the Old & New Testament are our only authoritative guide for faith and life.
Yielded to God for God’s Work in the World: This means being good stewards of God’s creation. It means working for peace and justice. We seek to change unjust social structures where they exist.
Thinkers of our faith: We believe that God has given us minds to use for his service. We believe that the life of the mind is a service to God. Therefore, we study our faith in order to love God with our mind as well as our heart and soul.
Encouraged by what we believe God can do: Presbyterians tend to balance an undue pessimism about the world with a sense that with God all things are possible. We pray for and work for the kingdom of God in the world knowing that all good things ultimately come from God.
Relaying on God’s grace by faith for our Salvation: It is not our works, nor our righteousness that saves us. Our salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. No matter how much good we do, we always sinners saved by grace.
Inspired to worship God in all we do: Worship is our #1 priority Our primary reason for existence is to “glorify God and enjoy him forever.” We make personal prayer a priority & regular gather to worship with God’s people.
Attached to one another by bonds of Love: Every person matters to God. Every person’s gift is needed in the church. Everyone is of value and worth in God’s sight. We believe that the church is built up by the exercise of God’s peoples’ spiritual gifts therefore we encourage everyone to find a place to serve.
Never afraid to adjust our organizational practices in order to share the gospel more effectively: We are slow to change our theology, but quick to change our practices when it helps us to take the unchanging gospel into a rapidly changing world.
So there you have it a little taste of what being Presbyterian means, and while some may call us the black sheep of the protestant faith in the end we are all God’s people.
I LOVE BEING A PRESBYTERIAN!!!!!!!
Til next time your fellow sister in Christ,
Bonnie
P Squad
Psalms 18:2
YOLO
#Blogitlikeitshot
