What Does Presbytarian Mean?

[Khrissy78]

I just joined Saint Andrews Presbytarian(sp?) Church. My Question is what does Presbytarian mean and why do I not see it listed as a religion? I signed up for a class that will help to learn what my church is all about but its not until November. I am to shy right now to ask my church questions (i have only been twice). If I decide to stay with this church do I say I am a presbytarian or just say a Christian?:scratch:

Thank You and God Bless...

[The_Lords_Froggy]

Just because you sit in a garage doesn't mean you're a car, no more than going to a certain denominational church makes you OF that denomination. Don't worry. Go to church to worship with fellow believers, brothers and sisters in Christ! Don't worry about denominational titles and such, just as long as the church is a Bible-based one, teaches and PREACHES the Gospel. As for your first question..I have absolutely no idea. Lol. God bless you.

[Radagast]

Hi Khrissy!

I would call myself Christian first, and Presbyterian second.

Presbyterianism has its roots in Scottish protestantism, but has been in the US for a long time. As to details, I gather there are several different Presbyterian denominations in the US -- which one did you join?

God bless,

-- Radagast

[Khrissy78]

Hi Khrissy!

I would call myself Christian first, and Presbyterian second.

Presbyterianism has its roots in Scottish protestantism, but has been in the US for a long time. As to details, I gather there are several different Presbyterian denominations in the US -- which one did you join?

God bless,

-- Radagast
To be honest, I have no clue. All I know is that it is called Saint Andrews and my Pastors name is Pastor John. I really dont know much about the church at all so far.

[Rafael]

presbyter

1. A priest in various hierarchical churches.

2.
a. A teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church.
b. A ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.

3. An elder of the congregation in the early Christian church


Presbyterian

1. Of or relating to ecclesiastical government by presbyters.

2. Presbyterian Of or relating to a Presbyterian Church.

3. A member or an adherent of a Presbyterian Church.

[Radagast]

To be honest, I have no clue. All I know is that it is called Saint Andrews and my Pastors name is Pastor John. I really dont know much about the church at all so far.
Your local church might be one of:
1. The Presbyterian Church (USA) (http://www.pcusa.org/);
2. The Presbyterian Church in America (http://www.pcanet.org/);
3. The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (http://www.opc.org/); or
4. Some other Presbyterian Church

-- Radagast

[BornAgainChristian]

Don't worry. Worship according to the Bible. Pray to God to show you if that's wrong or not. He'll tell you.

[Caelum]

Theres a reason why you dont see Presbyterian listed as a religion, because its not :) its simply a denomination (of Irish descent) that follows the teachings of John Calvin of once saved always saved and predestination..in otherwords; they believe that all Christians were chosen by God before they ever existed and were destined to join Him in the Kingdom no matter what...

Heres a link on John Calvin:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Calvin

He lead the first reformation of central europe(started in France)...however; significantly after Martin Luther begun the reformation in northern Europe :)

[eviltangerine]

Although those are their roots, you'll hardly ever hear a pastor preaching about predestination, the belief of being elected and what not. At least, when I talk to my friend who's been going to the same presbyterian church his entire life (18+ years) he doesn't remember at all hearing much about that. In fact, that question kind of came up for me a bit ago, so I called his parents (the father used to be an elder in the church and his mother is a deacon) and they really didn't have a concrete answer for the election question.

Similarly, I don't expect to go to a church to find their sermons weekly discussing how they differ from the other denominations, most pastors are more concerned about Jesus' love for us and how to bring ourselves closer to God, than whether or not we were elected by God before he laid down the world.

So I'd like to second the comments by The_Lords_Froggy, just go to a church and if the sermons and worship jive with you, and you feel at home, then continue to go and praise God's word!

[Radagast]

Although those are their roots, you'll hardly ever hear a pastor preaching about predestination, the belief of being elected and what not. At least, when I talk to my friend who's been going to the same presbyterian church his entire life (18+ years) he doesn't remember at all hearing much about that...
PCUSA, PCA, OPC, or other?

So I'd like to second the comments by The_Lords_Froggy...
Me too.

-- Radagast

[eviltangerine]

PCUSA, PCA, OPC, or other?

pcusa

but looking at pcusa, pca, and opc's websites all show a belief in predestination...in fact pca and pcusa both base their belief on the Westminster Confession of Faith...

[Radagast]

pcusa

but looking at pcusa, pca, and opc's websites all show a belief in predestination...in fact pca and pcusa both base their belief on the Westminster Confession of Faith...
Indeed, but I gather PCA and OPC are rather more serious about the WCF.

-- Radagast

[twistedsketch]

I don't know that there are any staple beliefs of the Presbertyrians. I do know that they meet to discuss doctrine periodically, and change it. As a result, many Presbertyrian churches teach unbiblical doctrines or fail to teach Biblical ones. Sometimes they may lend support to a wierd political faction in some banana republic. For these reasons, my grandparents left the denomination. Granted their particular church still taught the Bible, but Grandpa had a prison ministry, and when inmates asked him what kind of church he went to, so they could find a similar one, he'd cringe.

So, as with all churches, you need to really watch what they teach, make sure it's Biblical. Take your Bible, follow along, pray about the lessons. Think about them and see if there are any discrepancies between Scripture and the teaching. For example, I hear that many Presbertyrian churches are embracing gay marraige. That's not Biblically right at all, so if your church teaches that, it's time to find another one.

[frost]

I don't know that there are any staple beliefs of the Presbertyrians. I do know that they meet to discuss doctrine periodically, and change it. As a result, many Presbertyrian churches teach unbiblical doctrines or fail to teach Biblical ones. Sometimes they may lend support to a wierd political faction in some banana republic. For these reasons, my grandparents left the denomination. Granted their particular church still taught the Bible, but Grandpa had a prison ministry, and when inmates asked him what kind of church he went to, so they could find a similar one, he'd cringe.

So, as with all churches, you need to really watch what they teach, make sure it's Biblical. Take your Bible, follow along, pray about the lessons. Think about them and see if there are any discrepancies between Scripture and the teaching. For example, I hear that many Presbertyrian churches are embracing gay marraige. That's not Biblically right at all, so if your church teaches that, it's time to find another one.
I think you need to be carefull lumping all Presby's togther. Some (mainly the PCUSA,) are very liberal, though there are even differences between various PCUSA churches. Others like PCA and OPC are very conservative.

[twistedsketch]

I think you need to be carefull lumping all Presby's togther. Some (mainly the PCUSA,) are very liberal, though there are even differences between various PCUSA churches. Others like PCA and OPC are very conservative.

Yes, my grandparent's church was very conservative for the most part. But a prisoner will only remember Presbertyrian, and when he gets out, he could go to one of the very liberal churches. That's why my grandparents switched.