WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PRESBYTERIAN?
Presbyterian is a word that means "elder-led." This means that our church leadership is made up of elders who have been called and elected by the congregation (Titus 1; 1 Timothy 3). This includes pastors (also called "teaching" elders) and lay elders ("ruling" elders). Together, they are called to care for the church through shepherding and discipleship. Our congregation also calls and elects deacons (1 Timothy 3) that coordinate mercy ministry and help with the physical needs of the church.
WHAT DOES THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH BELIEVE?
CPC is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Every elder and deacon in the PCA believes and vows that the the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as originally given, are the inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. Every theological conviction of an elder or deacon is to come from Scripture Alone.
All elders and deacons also believe and vow that the Westminster Confession and Catechisms contains the system of doctrine taught in Scripture. The Confession and Catechisms are held under Scripture as human documents from church history summarizing what Scripture teaches. This means a potential elder or deacon does not need to agree with every statement, but is examined to make sure their Scripture-rooted beliefs do not deviate from the core of what the Church has historically confessed.
All elders and deacons also believe and vow that the Westminster Confession and Catechisms contains the system of doctrine taught in Scripture. The Confession and Catechisms are held under Scripture as human documents from church history summarizing what Scripture teaches. This means a potential elder or deacon does not need to agree with every statement, but is examined to make sure their Scripture-rooted beliefs do not deviate from the core of what the Church has historically confessed.
WHAT DO CHURCH MEMBERS HAVE TO BELIEVE?
The PCA has been described as a Christian Church with Presbyterian Leadership. In our church body, we strive to be as wide as the Body of Christ. This means that the requirements for membership at CPC are a valid profession of faith in Christ and a desire to join. You do not have to agree with church leadership on every doctrine. You do not have to agree with the church on baptism. We desire to be a welcoming church that allows every believer to follow their Scripture-rooted convictions wherever they may be in their walk with Jesus.