Orthodox? Presbyterian?

The name of my church is Covenant Family Church and our denomination is the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. But what does it mean to be orthodox and Presbyterian?

What does it mean to be orthodox? 

While we do not claim to be the only orthodox church, we do use the word to describe ourselves. The word “orthodox” refers to “right doctrine” or “correct beliefs.” That is rather unfashionable language today. Who is to say what is orthodox? We would be rather arrogant to make it up ourselves. Orthodoxy is defined by the word of God. We believe the Bible is the word of God, given by him to be the rule of faith and life. We profess and love the truth of God’s word, which has been embraced and defended through the centuries. It is our aim to keep the faith, to contend for it, to walk according to it, and to hold it forth to the world.

“God's Word is our great heritage,
And shall be ours forever;
To spread its light from age to age
Shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way;
In death it is our stay.
Lord, grant, while worlds endure,
We keep its teachings pure,
Throughout all generations.”
N.F.S. Grundtvig

What does it mean to be Presbyterian? 

Presbyterianism holds many doctrines in common with other churches. Presbyterians hold to the early creeds and the doctrines of the Trinity and Christ’s incarnation articulated by the early church. It also holds to the doctrines of justification by faith alone and the supremacy of biblical authority championed by the Protestant Reformation.

Some of the more distinctive doctrines of Presbyterianism are God’s sovereignty in history and salvation, the covenantal unity of Old and New Testaments, the present growth of Christ’s Kingdom, church government by councils of “presbyters” (elders), and the practice of worship that is regulated by Scripture.

Our Presbyterianism is best defined by the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, which have summarized the Presbyterian understanding of Scripture for centuries. Our ministers, elders, and deacons receive and adopt these statements as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures. You can find them at this link. 

To learn more, send us a message, see our website, or join us this Sunday. We meet at 968 Meyer Road, Wentzville 63385 at 10:00 am for Sunday school and 11:00 am for worship.