First Presbyterian Church of Olathe
What Presbyterians Believe ...
What we cherish most is our commitment to building a community where every person is encouraged to find his or her gifts and to use them in service to God, each other and the world. Together we seek a deeper experience of God’s grace. The only thing that could make our group any better - is YOU!
Presbyterians are formed and reformed by Scripture
Presbyterians believe in the Bible, most specifically - the Gospel, and use it as the unique and authoritative guide for how to live and what to believe. The sermons each Sunday are to explain and interpret Scripture, rather than current theological issues or the preacher’s latest ideas. We encourage people to read the Bible in their own devotional times and participate in group settings such as Sunday School, Bible study groups and classes to learn together, avoid judgment or exclusion of others- and to closely follow the teachings of our Lord.
For Presbyterians, the Bible is not just to be read only by preachers and scholars or used to seperate ourselves from others. We believe that the Bible is so clear in its major themes and principles, that everybody can understand the meaning of salvation, primarily by study of the Bible in a regular and consistent discipline. We welcome our community members of all ages, backgrounds and cultures!
Please see www.pcusa.org for more information.
Presbyterians are a people of community.
Presbyterians believe that you cannot live the Christian life effectively apart from other people. God has given us the church for our mutual support, guidance, correction, and encouragement. Relationships with other Christians are needed in order to be all that God intends us to be. This is one of the reasons the Presbyterian Church has a connectional form of church government. In changing times, this becomes even more important so that we don't isolate ourselves - losing touch with Scriptural directives. Through the Presbyteries, Synods, and the General Assembly each local congregation stays connected to the larger church. We need to do the work of Christ with other people.
Presbyterians are a people of mission.
Presbyterians believe that we cannot simply live in our own sheltered world. God has called us to take the gospel to the entire world. as well as exhibiting the kingdom of Christ to our community. The Presbyterian Church sends missionaries into all corners of the globe, through the regular offerings of local churches. Thus, our denomination has been instrumental in taking the gospel to many other countries in this century. Presbyterians have always looked outside themselves and their own concerns, welcoming all - without judgment -to work to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission. Today our mission field continues to include local communities as we seek to share the gospel with the almost 50% of Americans not yet connected with any local church.
Presbyterians believe in a sovereign God.
The Presbyterian Church has a strong view of the majesty, power, and omnipotence of God. Our worship style is reverential and seeks to focus hearts and minds on God. We believe God works in peoples’ hearts in God’s own timing and therefore we do not try to orchestrate people’s salvation, i.e., when and how. The belief in a sovereign God is also foundational to the difficult and often misunderstood doctrine of predestination. Predestination states, simply put, that God chooses us first before we ever even think about responding to God. It is our reply to choices provided that determines our paths. God’s choice and our response complete our salvation.
Presbyterians are a people of the mind.
Presbyterians believe that the capabilities of the mind should not be wasted. God has given us our minds as gracious gifts. Knowledge expands our minds if guided by Scripture - without a personal understanding of the Word, narrowing of the mind, error and sin result. Our reasoning faculties should be trained for the service of God. This is why ministers in the Presbyterian Church are held to the highest academic standards. It is why the training of elders and Sunday School teachers is so very important in the Presbyterian church. It is why we encourage everyone to grow in personal knowledge of the Bible, church history, theology, and an understanding of the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life.
Presbyterians have two sacraments.
The Presbyterian Church does not have many ceremonies and rituals because we do not want to distract from the two most important ceremonies Christ left to the church, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe these are the only two ceremonies, which we call sacraments, which Christ instituted for the church throughout the ages. Baptism is administered only once as a sign of our forgiveness from sin and our entrance into the family of God. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is repeated often in the Presbyterian Church. Our congregation celebrates it on the first Sunday of every month. This ceremony reminds us that we need the spiritual nourishment Christ brings to us and that Christ, our living Savior, is present with us, now and in the future.