First
Presbyterian
What Presbyterians Believe
What does the Presbyterian Church believe about mission and ministry?
The Presbyterian Church believes the mission and ministry of the church
today is a continuation of God's work through history. Presbyterians believe
the church is called to present the claims of Jesus Christ, leading persons to
repentance, acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord, and to a new life as his
disciples. We affirm we are called to participate in God's activity in the
world through its life for others by healing and reconciling and binding up
wounds; ministering to the needs of the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the
powerless; engaging in the struggle to free people from sin, fear, oppression,
hunger, and injustice; giving itself and its substance to the service of those
who suffer; and sharing with Christ in the establishing of his just, peaceable,
and loving rule in the world. [Book of Order G-3.0300b-c(3)]
Furthermore, the Church is called to
undertake this mission even at the risk of losing its life, trusting in God
alone as the author and giver of life, sharing the gospel, and doing those
deeds in the world that point beyond themselves to the new reality in Christ.
[Book of Order G-3.0400]