Christ Covenant Community Church

Them and Us: Different Flavors of Presbyterian

It's easy to be unaware that there are different "flavors" of Presbyterian in the United States today. Depending on just how you count, there are about eight distinct and separate denominations right now that have "Presbyterian" in their name. I usually try to avoid making much of the differences out of a sense of public civility. I prefer to keep family arguments inside the house. Unfortunately, there are some decisions being made right now in another Presbyterian group that I need to distinguish myself from. What you will see in the headlines is about Presbyterians deciding to ordain practicing homosexuals. And now, a bit more of the rest of the story.

I'll explain some things as we go, but let me say right up front that neither I, nor Christ Covenant, nor our denomination - The Evangelical Presbyterian Church - are deciding to do that. It is another Presbyterian denomination called the Presbyterian Church (USA). Frankly, we disagree and are saddened by their decision, but it only applies to them.

Presbyterian Flavors

There are four Presbyterian denominations represented in the Fredericksburg, VA area. As mentioned earlier, Christ Covenant is a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian Church (USA), the Presbyterian Church of America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church have congregations here as well. All of these denominations and their churches would share some history and structure - John Knox, Scotland, The Westminster Confession, governed by elders - but each has its own history and distinctives as well. To make things even more confusing, local congregations within each denomination will have local distinctives that differ from other churches in the same denomination - worship style, program structure, etc. Like I said at the beginning, it is easy to be unaware - even confused - by the different "flavors" of Presbyterian in the United States.  Click Here to read more on this on Pastor Bill's Blog.

The Essentials Of Our Faith

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church from its beginning has affirmed a clear, straightforward statement of the Essentials of our Faith.  These represent a bedrock commitment to broadly held, historic, orthodox beliefs.  Take a moment to hear them recited in the video.   

"Our Kind" of Presbyterian

I've watched the flooding in Memphis with real attention.  We lived in New Orleans and Houma, LA under the constant threat of high water destruction and had a daughter who went to college in Memphis.  Imagine my thankfulness when I hear about "Hope Presbyterian Church" in almost every news story.  Hope is leading the private shelter and relief work in that city.  And Hope is an Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  "They are one of us," if I might be parochial about it.

Even closer to home, Hope is an EPC church plant.  Or I guess it was an EPC church plant.  Since its birth from Memphis' Second Presbyterian Church, Hope has grown and developed to real maturity and ministry.

Click here to learn more about Hope EPC and see what God can do through a church plant.

Click Here to learn more about the Evangelical Presbyterian Church as a denomination.