What is an Evangelical
and Reformed Presbyterian Church?
The Presbyterian Church
in America ("PCA") was formed to be a denomination that is "Faithful
to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the
Great Commission."
The PCA is an Evangelical and Reformed Presbyterian
denomination.
By Evangelical, we mean that we emphasize
the gospel (good news of salvation) through faith in Jesus Christ,
as well as affirming other orthodox christian doctrines holding to
the inerrancy of Scripture.
By Reformed, we mean that we
are connected to the teaching of the historic church and the doctrinal
beliefs recovered by the Reformation. These doctrinal beliefs are
expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith with the Larger and
Shorter Cetechisms. All officers of the Presbyterian Church in America
must personally subscribe to and uphold the teachings of the Westminster
Confession of Faith.
By Presbyterian, we describe our representative
form of church government. Local churches are goverened by a "Session"
or "presbyters", elected by the members of the congregation. Representatives
of local churches within a geographical area composed a "presbytery".
Representatives of presbyteries meet annually at "General Assembly".
Thus, through the combined efforts and resources of all the churches,
we are enabled to advance God's Kingdom much more effectively. The
Committees and Agencies of the PCA help lead this Kingdom work.