Thank you for logging on to this site. Questions are being raised by some about beliefs and practices of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbytery of Philadelphia.
On this page you will find:
· Resources that will help you know what we believe and what our practices are
· Educational Resources
· Voices from the pulpits and pews
We will be updating and adding to this page on a regular basis. Please keep checking for additional information.
What We Believe Resources
It is the policy and practice of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, when faced with the possibility of a congregation requesting to be dismissed from the PCUSA, to follow the Book of Order, our constitution. In G-11.0103i, the Presbytery “has the responsibility and power to divide, dismiss, or dissolve churches in consultation with their members”.
A a document prepared by the national Office of Theology and Worship, that sets forth the church's convictions for those who seek to interpret accurately the positions of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
“Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ”
A full statement of about who Jesus is as Savior and Lord, adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2002.
Educational Resources
Also available after 9/10/2007 in The Presbytery Resource Center
As much as anything, the legacy of the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.SA.) will be determined by Presbyterians across the country—deciding close to home whether this is a time for changing the denomination’s ordination standards or not.
The 2006 General Assembly was a busy one, with many decisions to make. What were the big issues and decisions?
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) held its General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama, June 15-22, 2006. A number of difficult overtures were brought, including the report of the Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity. Author Beau Weston followed the actions and discussions during the assembly and provides this summary of major events and decisions.
What do Presbyterians Believe? By Donald McKim
Today there are over 75 million Reformed Christians in 218 churches in 107 countries. While Presbyterians differ theologically among themselves, there are distinctive theological affirmations, or ways of understanding Christian faith, that have been and continue to be special emphases among Presbyterians. This two-session study looks at those beliefs and encourages participants to reflect on their own understanding of the foundations of Presbyterian beliefs.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been arguing over several theological issues and ordination standards for quite some time. Without doubt, the most energy has been spent over the ordination of gay and lesbian persons. Significant minorities exist in the church who feel passionately about these issues, and successive General Assemblies have been unable to resolve them.
In this study, the first session will focus on the biblical and theological section of the report, which the General Assembly commended to the church for study and reflection. The second session will deal with the work of the task force as specified in its mandate: Christology, biblical authority and interpretation, ordination standards, and power. Because the task force discovered that their oneness in Christ was more important than their disagreements, they have invited the church to enter a season of discernment in which those who differ on issues might come together for study, prayer, and discernment, using the processes that were so helpful and meaningful to it.
Voices from the Pulpit and Pews
