INTRODUCTION
The church that was visited was a Presbyterian Church on Creek road at 10:30am on Sunday the 13th of February. Presbyterian worship services are characterised by the centrality of the Christian scriptures. Services include prayer, preaching, music, sacraments, and an optional offering. Presbyterians believe that Jesus is the Lord Saviour and the King and head of the church. By faith is how Presbyterians receive God’s forgiveness. Presbyterian churches have traditionally emphasized doctrine. They have produced several confessions expressing the doctrines of their denomination. The main doctrine Presbyterians follow is the Westminster Confession of Faith and Christ alone, Bible alone, and Faith alone.
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| Evidence of attending Creek Road Presbyterian Church. |
HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF THE DENOMINATION |
Presbyterianism traces its origins to the Protestant Reformation movement in 1517 when Martin Luther wrote the 95 theses. Martin Luther was a reformer in the Protestant Reformation. Luther was a Christian theologian and Augustinian monk whose teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines of Protestant and other Christian traditions. Luther wrote the 95 theses in 1517, which were statements conflicting selling indulgences, which called for a full reform of the Christian Church. His writings were considered disrespectful, and Luther was charged with being a heretic. The church tried everything to silence Luther; however, he did not recant. When the printing press came to Europe, it helped spread Luther’s ideas all across Europe. After all this commotion with the church, it split into two religions: Catholic and Protestant. Martin Luther was the founder of the Protestants. The Protestants then split into different Protestant faiths[1]. After the church split, the people lacked respect for the Pope and the church, and this ended up in 100 years of religious war. The Council of Trent was then formed in 1545, which reformed the church[2]. The Presbyterian Church is a reformed Catholic church. Unfortunately, Martin Luther died in 1546 of old age[3].
John Knox was another reformer within the church. John Knox worked in Geneva with John Calvin who was a key player in the reformation in Europe both as a preacher and a writer. When John Knox returned to Scotland, he was recognised as a leader of the reformation. The style of the church life, worship and theology encouraged by John Knox, spread throughout Scotland and took the name ‘Presbyterianism’[4].
Presbyterian beliefs are rooted in the thought of the French reformer John Calvin. Calvin was the reformer who adapted Luther’s religion and works. Calvin trained for the Catholic priesthood at the University of Paris and afterward as a lawyer, but he eventually converted to the Reformation movement and became a theologian and minister. He wrote a great deal during his career, including Bible commentaries and a work of systematic theology. Although he had planned to live the quiet life of a scholar, Calvin was instead coerced into leading the Reformation in Geneva, Switzerland[5]. Despite this, Calvinists are often miss-understood. The sermons in the Presbyterian Church are mainly focused on the bible.
THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDINGS AND CORE BELIEFS
The Creek Road Presbyterian Church that was visited is a modern church; more traditional Presbyterians churches may differ in their beliefs.
Presbyterians follow the Great Commission. Presbyterian’s beliefs concerning the great commission include it is essential to make disciples, proclaim the gospel to non-Christians, and guide them to God. The Presbyterian Church remains open to the possibility of salvation of infants and those with no knowledge of Christ, denies ‘double pre-destination’, and teaches that fallen humanity is capable of some virtuous actions[6]. Presbyterians believe in predestination, but only to an extent. They believe that God is in control; however, we are responsible for our choices. God chooses some individuals, but passes over some. Free will also exists.
Presbyterianism does not believe in purgatory, however, they do believe in hell. They believe that if they belong to God, they will go straight to heaven once they have died, and do not have to wait.
Presbyterians do not believe in Humanism. It is believed they are theists, not humanists, and they are not human centered people, they are God centered. Theists are people who believe in one God as the creator and ruler of the universe.
Presbyterians recognise only two sacraments: communion and baptism. Communion is the bread and wine of Jesus. The wine represents his blood, and the bread represents what He did for us. His body died on the cross so that we may live. Even though communion is important to the church, it is believed that it is only a symbol and cannot connect you with God. Communion is conducted four times a year in this particular Presbyterian Church. However, in more traditional Presbyterian Churches, communion is conducted once a month.
Baptism is a sign of being a disciple, having faith, having freedom, and following God. Presbyterians believe that some people are not born again when they get baptized. There are two forms of baptism: adult and infant. Infant baptism is practiced throughout the Creek Road Presbyterian. Some adults choose to baptize their children (infants) when they are young so they would be born again in Christ at an early age. However, if the adult is not seriously following God, then the infant is not allowed to be baptized. In baptism God washes away the child's past, however short it may be, and prepares the child and strengthens the child for its future, however long it may be. Christian parents have the right to present their infant children for baptism as a sign and seal of God's promise to them as heirs of the covenant. Many churches stress the importance of adult baptism as a necessary part of a total plan of personal salvation[7].
Since we are all sinners, we are all separated from God. It is believed that we are responsible for all our actions.
In addition, Creek Road Presbyterians support around eight couples of missionaries overseas. These missionaries are important to the church, and it’s an extension of what the church does. The collection of taxes/tides throughout the church is not very important to their beliefs. This particular church collects tithes at the back of the church instead of handing out buckets. It’s the individual’s choice whether or not they give money. Creek Road Presbyterians believe it’s the issue of the heart, and that’s more important than money. It’s a good starting point, but it’s not a rule to give money. Presbyterians do believe in angelology. They only believe in angels to an extent of what the bible states.
Presbyterianism main core beliefs are bible alone, Christ alone, and faith alone. John Calvin was very important to the reformation; however, Presbyterians believe his works are often miss- understood. Creek Road Presbyterian believes in the Bible first and then the writings of John Calvin. Elders in the church are important, because they lead and manage the church. Presbyterians love God, love His word and believe people are important. Salvations and discipling is important to increase an awareness of God. Three services are held throughout a Sunday in this particular church; 8:30am, 10:30 am, and 6:30pm[8]. Some Presbyterian Churches only have two services on a Sunday.
Life groups are part of this particular church. These groups meet to connect, learn more about Gods word and pray for one another. This church also provides a Children Ministry where Sunday School occurs in the morning services. Volunteers teach children more about Jesus and they use craft, bible stories and songs to implement it. Youth services occur at 6:30pm. These services focus more on the youth[9].
GOVERNANCE
Each congregation is usually under the supervision of mature Christian leaders called elders, who are chosen by the members of the congregation. A church board is formed, including the elders and the pastors. The Bible teaches that some elders have special responsibilities to lead, (sometimes called Ruling elders) and some have special responsibilities to teach as well as lead. These are sometimes called Teaching elders or Ministers. The number of managers is determined by the elders of the congregation and the elders are also members of the Committee or Board of Management[10]. There are thirteen elders altogether throughout the Creek Road Presbyterian Church.
LITURGY AND MUSIC
Traditionally, Presbyterian liturgy use to be more ritual, however, nowadays, their services are less ritual and symbolic, and more informal. Presbyterians worship standing up, expressing their love and passion for God. In this particular church, the people raised their hands and clapped along to the music. They sang/worshiped multiple times throughout the service, whilst preaching and quoting bible scriptures. Throughout the 10:30 service, numerous pastors spoke about one passage from the bible, and quoted scriptures from that passage. Modernized instruments are used. However, in the 10:30am service, the Creek Road Presbyterian only used a piano and a guitar. There was a drum kit; however, it was not used during that service. They sang songs from Hillsong Church, and a hymn.
CONCLUSION
Presbyterian Churches are quite large organizations, but the church that was visited was a large congregation. Other service times including 8:30am and 6:30pm usually have more people attending. The church welcomes and celebrates the diversity of gifts and talents of individuals. They believe in only one God, the creator and ruler of the universe. Creek Road Presbyterians believe they are saved, after they ask Jesus in their heart to be ruler of their life. They enjoy worshiping God using simple instruments, and singing. Their services are relaxed and scripture is always preached. The Presbyterian Church provides a place for all to attend providing life giving encouragement and the love of God to all that come along.
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