Our view of ministry is the same as that given by the Lord Jesus who taught his followers saying, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This mandate not only provides a motivation for worldwide missions, it also shapes and directs the ministry of the local church in its goal of making lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Here at Christ Presbyterian Church, we believe that true and lasting discipleship comes through the careful exposition of God’s holy word, and the reception of his holy sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s supper). We also hold that worship is not merely a once-a-week activity, but also a life of love and service. Out of gratitude for God’s grace in Christ, we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:1-2).
Christ’s commissioned his church to “make disciples.” This is at the heart of the life and ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church. Our Christian Education Committee oversees the disciple-making ministry of the church. Through ministries like our Sunday School, Bible studies, small group ministries, and Friday Night Forums, we are engaged in making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Deacons of Christ Presbyterian Church oversee the care of the members of the church and to others whom the Lord brings our way. Our deacons not only care for the physical property of the church and the other “hands on” aspects of ministry, they are primarily tasked with caring for the physical needs of all our church members.
Helping individuals during times of crisis, visiting the sick, assisting families through difficult situations, working “behind the scenes” in so many vital areas are some of the ways that our deacons serve and care for the physical and material needs of our church body.
We believe that the visible church includes both believers and their children. During his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter instructed the people of Israel to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and he went on to say that “the promise is for you and for your children” (Acts 2:38-29). Similarly, Paul told the Corinthians that a home with merely one believing parent was enough to set apart the children as holy unto God (1Cor 7:14).
Therefore, we believe that children are the proper recipients of baptism, just as male infants were included among the people of God through the sign of circumcision in the old covenant. In Luke 18:16 Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God,” therefore we should not withhold from them sign and seal of their inclusion and incorporation to God’s kingdom.
We prepare the children at Christ Presbyterian Church to participate in corporate worship with all the members of the church and they are taught God’s word both at Sunday School and in their homes. We do this in anticipation of their public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as they grow up into maturity, becoming communicant members who participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
The Friday Night Forum is a semi-regular event led by Shane Rosenthal, host of The Humble Skeptic podcast. A graduate of Westminster Seminary California, Shane was one of the founders of White Horse Inn, which he hosted from 2019-2022, and has written numerous essays and articles for Modern Reformation, Tabletalk, Logia, and other publications. Topics covered at this forum include Theology, Apologetics, Culture, Science, Ethics, Religion and Worldview.
Christ has called his Church to make disciples of all nations. Christ Presbyterian Church seeks to be faithful to this commission by engaging in and supporting various world-wide and local mission works.
Through denominational mission agencies, we are involved in Christ’s work around the world. We also support a number of individual missionaries. Our Missions/Outreach Committee also works to advance the gospel through local and regional ministries.