Bidwell Presbyterian Church

Presbyterians are unique among the Christian denominations in at least three areas:

I. Doctrine

II. Relationship of Clergy and Laity

III. Church Structure

Doctrine:

We, as part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), express our faith through written confessions. We affirm ancient statements of the early church, such as the Apostles’ Creed, along with our Presbyterian Confessions of 1729, 1967, and 1983. As times and needs change, we continue to clarify our faith and apply it in today’s society. Becoming a “Presbyterian” brings us into fellowship with part of God’s family, but it does not remove our personal responsibility to confess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our Confessions affirm:

A. The Scriptures are the inspired and authoritative Word of God, revealing all we need to know about God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

B. Humanity needs a Savior, Jesus Christ. On the cross, Jesus bore our sins, making atonement for our guilt by His blood.

C. The Church is the fellowship of all believers around the world, expressed locally in our church family.

D. The sacraments are Baptism and Communion. Other statements are made about the Church’s responsibility in the world, the existence of heaven, hell, and final judgment.

The Clergy and the Laity:

Presbyterians affirm the concept of “the priesthood of all believers,” recognizing that Christ is the head of the Church and all persons, clergy and lay, stand together in submission to Him. The impact on church practice is as follows:

A. The ordination of minister (clergy) and of elder (laity) is identical. The difference in roles is purely functional, since all are called to Ministry.

B. There is no hierarchy of clergy, no bishops or presidents who have authority over the individual minister or local church. (See Church Structure for a visual picture of church organization.)

C. The concept of servant leadership is upheld by church structure: the minister is under the authority of the laity, administered by the group of elders called the Session. It is the Session, not the congregation or pastors, which has authority in the local church.