ABOUT PRESBYTERIANS
Presbyterians belong to the Reformed tradition of Christianity, which has its origins in the Protestant Reformation of the early sixteenth century. Reformers such as John Calvin and others sought to simplify Christian worship and theology by returning to the foundation of the Bible and by removing beliefs, rituals, and practices not found in Scripture.
You see this emphasis on simplicity played out in many aspects of the Presbyterian Church.
In worship, we focus on the Word of God read and preached.
In theology, we emphasize what God has done for us in Jesus Christ rather than what we must do to earn God’s favor.
In church governance, rather than a top-down hierarchy, the church is governed by elected councils at the national, regional, and local level. The local church is governed by a session of elders who are elected by the congregation to a limited term. The word “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word for “elder.”
An unofficial motto of the Presbyterian Church is the Latin phrase Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda, which means “the reformed church always being reformed.” This indicates our belief that the Holy Spirit continually speaks to and through the church in new ways.
Central Presbyterian Church belongs to the PC(USA), the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States.
