Our Statement of Faith
For the last 150 years, First Presbyterian has been a strong presence in the Mississippi Delta. Through epidemics, wars, floods, changing economic times and social upheaval, our church has taken what Jesus said about those in need and turned it into a statement of faith:
We Welcome One Another.
We Are Friends With One Another.
We Serve One Another.
We Do This All In The Name Of Jesus Christ.
First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, MS is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Presbytery of St. Andrew serves as our middle governing body. The Session, appoints an elder to serve as a commissioner – along with the pastor – to the Stated Meetings of St Andrew Presbytery. In addition, elders serve on various committees and program units when elected or appointed.
The Session is the primary decision-making body of the church. Those who serve on Session are called “Elders” and they are elected by our church family members. Session is responsible for working in partnership with the pastor and staff to embody what it means to be First Presbyterian Church of Greenville now and into the future.
The Board of Deacons is a ministry of compassion, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Deacons are also elected by our church family members. They have a special calling to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond our church family.
Our Theology
Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike - to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
- Paragraph taken from www.pcusa.org
To read more about the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), go to
http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-theology.htm
For general information and/or history about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), visit http://www.pcusa.org/101/