_edited.png)
What Is A Presbyterian?
Presbyterians are part of the worldwide Christian Church, grounded in the Bible and shaped by historic confessions like the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed. Our roots trace back to the Protestant Reformation of the 1500s and the Scottish Presbyterians who later immigrated to America.
At the heart of our faith is this truth: though human sin separates us from God, His grace through Jesus Christ restores us. Presbyterians emphasize a balance between head, heart, and hands; we seek to think deeply, believe passionately, and live faithfully.
​
What Does “Presbyterian” Mean?
The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word presbuteros, meaning “elder.” A Presbyterian church is led by spiritually mature leaders, elected by the congregation, who guide the church in prayer and service.
OUR REFORMATION ROOTS:
The Presbyterian story begins with the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. Leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin called the Church back to the essentials of the gospel, summarized in four phrases:
GRACE ALONE
Salvation is God’s gift of mercy, not something we earn.
CHRIST ALONE
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection reconcile us to God and promise eternal life.
FAITH ALONE
We receive this gift through trusting in Christ, not by works.
SCRIPTURE ALONE
The Bible is God’s inspired Word and our ultimate authority.
Presbyterianism in America
Presbyterianism took root in America through Scottish reformer John Knox and those influenced by John Calvin. Presbyterians were active in the early colonies, played a role in the Great Awakening of the 1700s, and influenced the democratic form of U.S. government. Their emphasis on shared leadership and representative decision-making shaped both church life and civic life.
How We Are Governed
Presbyterian churches are guided by elders, elected by the congregation. This representative form of leadership means decisions are made prayerfully by a group of leaders rather than by one individual.
​
It reflects the practice of the early church in Acts, where believers discerned God’s will together.
​
We belong to the Presbyterian Church (USA), and since 2016, St. John’s has also been affiliated with The Fellowship Community, a renewal movement within the denomination.
_edited.jpg)