PC(USA)
Foundational Statements
Foundational Statements
In Christ, the Church participates in ___ ____ for the transformation of creation and humanity by proclaiming to all people the good news of God’s love, offering to all people the grace of God at font and table, and calling all people to discipleship in Christ. Human beings have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever, living in covenant fellowship with God and participating in___ ____ .
What is God's mission?
The word “Presbyterian” comes from this Greek term.
What is presbuteros?
The ministry of deacons is described by these three words.
What is compassion, witness, and service?
These three books help Presbyterians interpret their faith and order their lives together.
What are the Bible, the Book of Confessions, and the Book of Order?
The confessions are subordinate to this, the primary source of our faith.
What is Scripture?
The Church is the ___ of Christ. Christ gives to the Church all the gifts necessary to be his ___. The Church strives to demonstrate these gifts in its life as a community in the world (1 Cor. 12:27–28).
What is his "body"?
Ruling elders are chosen not to rule over people, but to do this.
What is discern God’s will and nurture the church’s faith?
This early church conflict led to the choosing of deacons.
What is the neglect of widows in daily food distribution?
In the power of the Spirit, the Church is faithful to the mission of Christ when it does these three things.
What is:
Proclaims and hears the Word of God
Administers and receives the Sacraments, and
Nurtures a covenant community of disciples of Christ.
The first official doctrinal statement of the whole Christian church. It seeks to clarify the relationship of Jesus Christ to God and to humanity.
What is the Nicene Creed?
These six phrases, known as "The ___ ___ of the Church," summarize what the Church is for.
What are "The Great Ends of the Church"?
This governing body is responsible for worship, sacraments, and nurture.
What is the session?
This Greek word that helps define the ministry of deacons. It can also be translated as "servant" or "administrator."
What is diakonos?
Essential tenets are best understood as a _____, not a checklist.
What is a conversation?
This is the most widely used confessional statement in the Western Church, and is closely tied to the Sacrament of Baptism.
What is the Apostles' Creed?
This ministry belongs to the whole people of God, not just officers.
What is the ministry of the whole church?
Ruling elders are called to be this kind of leader.
What is a spiritual leader?
According to the Book of Order, deacons share the redeeming love of Jesus Christ with these people.
Who are the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress?
These two doctrines are central to the Christian faith, regardless of denomination.
What are the Doctrine of the Trinity and the Doctrine of the Incarnation?
This confession and accompanying catechisms are the most well-known of the Reformation era creeds among Presbyterians. Many Presbyterian churches also use this name.
What is Westminster?
These are the three ordered ministries recognized by the PC(USA).
What are deacon, ruling elder, and teaching elder?
A Ruling Elder should strive for these Biblical traits found in Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-5.
What is
should not be: stubborn, irritable, addicted to alcohol, bullies, greedy.
should: show hospitality, love what is good, be reasonable, ethical, godly, and self-controlled, encouraging.
like shepherds who watch over the flock voluntarily and eagerly by being examples.
According to 1 Timothy 3:8-13, these are the characteristics of a deacon.
What is dignified, not two-faced (double-tongued), not heavy drinkers, not greedy, faithful, sober (self-controlled)?
According to the Reformed Tradition, these are the only two sacraments.
What are Baptism and the Lord's Supper?
This confession, adopted in 1991, was a result of the 1983 reunion of the United Presbyterian Church, USA and the Presbyterian Church in the United States, leading to the formation of the PC(USA).
What is A Brief Statement of Faith-Presbyterian Church (USA)?