Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Siler Presbyterian Siler Presbyterian Church glorifies God by Church glorifies God by inviting all into a inviting all into a relationship with relationship with Christ, growing in Christ, growing in faith, and serving faith, and serving Christ in the Christ in the Crossroads.Crossroads.

Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the CrossroadsCrossroads

Why am I not in Why am I not in Sunday Sunday School ?School ?


““Presbytery of Charlotte Presbytery of Charlotte Commitment to Pursuing Commitment to Pursuing Reconciliation with Member Churches Reconciliation with Member Churches Seeking Dismissal from the Seeking Dismissal from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)”Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)”


On November 8On November 8thth, the Session of Siler , the Session of Siler Presbyterian Church voted unanimously Presbyterian Church voted unanimously to enter:to enter:

Monthly Sunday Schools – 2Monthly Sunday Schools – 2ndnd Sunday’s Sunday’s

1. Why has Siler chosen to enter the 1. Why has Siler chosen to enter the process?process?

2. What is Presbyterianism?2. What is Presbyterianism?

3. Charlotte Presbytery Process3. Charlotte Presbytery Process..

4. How has Siler responded to PCUSA in the 4. How has Siler responded to PCUSA in the past?past?

5. If dismissed, where are we going?5. If dismissed, where are we going?

Pending meetings with the Charlotte PresbyteryPending meetings with the Charlotte PresbyterySiler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the CrossroadsCrossroads

What is going to happen ……What is going to happen ……

Being PresbyterianBeing Presbyterian



• Being Presbyterian is first Being Presbyterian is first about a form of Governmentabout a form of Government

• Primarily Presbyterianism is Primarily Presbyterianism is not theology or doctrine, but not theology or doctrine, but polity.polity.


““PresbyterosPresbyteros”” means governed by elders. means governed by elders.

We are a church led by those elected as Elders.We are a church led by those elected as Elders.

Presbyterians have a representative form of Presbyterians have a representative form of government.government.

– Elders and Deacons are elected by the people to Elders and Deacons are elected by the people to lead the church in most matters of faith and mission.lead the church in most matters of faith and mission.

Being Presbyterian- Being Presbyterian- RepresentativeRepresentative


Our form of Government is much like that of Our form of Government is much like that of the United States, which was patterned after the United States, which was patterned after the Presbyterian polity.the Presbyterian polity.

Our polity was patterned after the Church of Our polity was patterned after the Church of Geneva under John Calvin and the Church of Geneva under John Calvin and the Church of Scotland led by John Knox.Scotland led by John Knox.

Being Presbyterian – Being Presbyterian – Government /Polity Government /Polity


Being Presbyterian – Being Presbyterian – Structure and Governing Bodies Structure and Governing Bodies

General Assembly General Assembly

PresbyteriesPresbyteries (173) district governing bodies (173) district governing bodies

SynodsSynods (16) regional governing bodies(16) regional governing bodies

Session Session >11,000 Congregations >11,000 Congregations


Presbyterianism was purchased with blood. Presbyterianism was purchased with blood.

In France, England and Scotland, In France, England and Scotland, Presbyterians were slaughtered during certain Presbyterians were slaughtered during certain periods of those first years because they were periods of those first years because they were standing up for their beliefs.standing up for their beliefs.

– In France alone the population of Protestant In France alone the population of Protestant churches and her people were reduced by two churches and her people were reduced by two thirds between 1570 and 1598.thirds between 1570 and 1598.

Being Presbyterian – Being Presbyterian – Historical Commitment to BeliefsHistorical Commitment to Beliefs


Being Presbyterian – Being Presbyterian – ReformedReformed

Reformed thought comes out of the Reformation of the Reformed thought comes out of the Reformation of the 16th Century.16th Century.

The Reformation was a biblical response to the The Reformation was a biblical response to the excesses and perversions of the Roman Catholic excesses and perversions of the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformers, having returned to Scripture, Church. The Reformers, having returned to Scripture, attempted to carefully and faithfully rebuild the church attempted to carefully and faithfully rebuild the church upon the teachings of the New Testament. Thus by upon the teachings of the New Testament. Thus by affirming Reformed theology, a person is implicitly affirming Reformed theology, a person is implicitly denying certain other theologies. denying certain other theologies.

Particularly from the theology of John Calvin.Particularly from the theology of John Calvin.


Being PresbyterianBeing PresbyterianGod Centered God Centered

Reformed Theology isReformed Theology is

• God centered God centered

• Not centered on mankindNot centered on mankind

God is absolutely sovereign over all aspects of this world God is absolutely sovereign over all aspects of this world and our lives. All things are under Godand our lives. All things are under God’’s rule and control s rule and control and nothing happens without His direction or permissionand nothing happens without His direction or permission

GodGod’’s Sovereignty:s Sovereignty:• Is based upon His attributesIs based upon His attributes• Is centered in His natureIs centered in His nature• Is not derived from any otherIs not derived from any other


1. The mystery of the Trinity1. The mystery of the Trinity2. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ2. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ3. Justification by Grace through Faith alone3. Justification by Grace through Faith alone4. Substitutionary Nature of Atonement4. Substitutionary Nature of Atonement5. Scripture as our final authority5. Scripture as our final authority6. God’s absolute sovereignty 6. God’s absolute sovereignty 7. God’s election of the People of God7. God’s election of the People of God8. The Covenant life of the church 8. The Covenant life of the church 9. Stewardship of God’s Creation and resources9. Stewardship of God’s Creation and resources10. The idolatry of sin10. The idolatry of sin11. The Call to obedience11. The Call to obedience


Essential Tenets of the Reformed FaithEssential Tenets of the Reformed Faith

Solo ChristoSolo ChristoSola ScripturaSola Scriptura

Sola GratiaSola GratiaSola FideSola Fide

Soli Deo GloriaSoli Deo Gloria

The Five Solas are the The Five Solas are the foundational beliefs foundational beliefs of our of our church.church.

The Reformation got us back to the biblical pillars of our The Reformation got us back to the biblical pillars of our faith.faith.

Being Presbyterian – Being Presbyterian – Five Solas of the Reformed Faith Five Solas of the Reformed Faith


By Christ aloneBy Christ alone

The Bible is clear about from whom our The Bible is clear about from whom our Salvation is acquired.Salvation is acquired.

John 14:6 John 14:6 Jesus answered, Jesus answered, ““I am the way and the truth and the I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Acts 4:12 Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. which we must be saved.

1 Tim 2:5 1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Being PresbyterianBeing PresbyterianSolo Christo Solo Christo


Being PresbyterianBeing PresbyterianSola ScripturaSola Scriptura

The Scriptures aloneThe Scriptures alone

The Scriptures are our one and final authority The Scriptures are our one and final authority for all the church believes and does.for all the church believes and does.


Being Presbyterian – Being Presbyterian – Sola GratiaSola Gratia

By Grace aloneBy Grace alone

Ephesians 2:9 Ephesians 2:9 For by grace you are saved through faith, that is For by grace you are saved through faith, that is not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not as a result of works, so not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one can boast. that no one can boast.


Being Presbyterian - Being Presbyterian - Sola FideSola Fide

Through Faith aloneThrough Faith alone

Habakkuk 2:4 Habakkuk 2:4 ““Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.””

Romans 1:17 Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, to faith; as it is written, ““but the righteous man shall live by faith.but the righteous man shall live by faith.””


To the Glory of God aloneTo the Glory of God alone

Ephesians 3:20-21 Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do far more Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amenonly God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen

Being Presbyterian - Being Presbyterian - Soli Deo GloriaSoli Deo Gloria


Being Presbyterian - Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are ConfessionalPresbyterians are Confessional

Confessions are reliable teachings extracted from the scripture. Confessions are reliable teachings extracted from the scripture. They teach us what to believe and do. With the voices of history we They teach us what to believe and do. With the voices of history we join in adoration of our living God. join in adoration of our living God.

Types of Confessional DocumentsTypes of Confessional Documents•Confessions- detailed statements of our beliefsConfessions- detailed statements of our beliefs

• The Westminster Confession• The ScotsThe Scots‘‘ Confession Confession

•Catechisms- Questions and Answers of our beliefsCatechisms- Questions and Answers of our beliefs• The Westminster CatechismThe Westminster Catechism• The Heidelberg Catechism

•Creeds- short statements of our beliefs made to be memorizedCreeds- short statements of our beliefs made to be memorized• The Apostles CreedThe Apostles Creed• The Nicene Creed The Nicene Creed


Being Presbyterian - Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are ConnectionalPresbyterians are Connectional

We do not work in isolation from other churches. We do not work in isolation from other churches. We are not independent.We are not independent.We are not autonomous. We are not autonomous.

All congregations in a given area connect us as a All congregations in a given area connect us as a Christian family.Christian family.

Presbyterian congregations join together in Presbyterian congregations join together in ““Presbyteries.Presbyteries.””


Being Presbyterian - Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are “Missional”Presbyterians are “Missional”

The history of the Presbyterian tradition is one The history of the Presbyterian tradition is one of mission and outreach.of mission and outreach.

Presbyterians Presbyterians • Transformed EuropeTransformed Europe• Brought Christ to the ColoniesBrought Christ to the Colonies• Pioneered missions in Africa and AsiaPioneered missions in Africa and Asia• Started schools and hospitals all over the world. Started schools and hospitals all over the world.


Being Presbyterian - Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are MissionalPresbyterians are Missional

We not only believe in the Great Commission, We not only believe in the Great Commission, we are committed to fulfilling it. we are committed to fulfilling it.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew Matthew 28:19-20 28:19-20



““I am not ashamed of the GospelI am not ashamed of the Gospel”” Romans 1:16Romans 1:16

Neither am I ashamed to be Presbyterian. Neither am I ashamed to be Presbyterian.


Do you have any questions Do you have any questions about “being Presbyterian?”about “being Presbyterian?”


Your turn…….Your turn…….

Become more informed – Become more informed – www.silerchurch.orgwww.silerchurch.org

Ask Questions/Share with your SessionAsk Questions/Share with your Session

Invite the Denominational Committee to your Invite the Denominational Committee to your Sunday School class.Sunday School class.

Attend these monthly sessions & the meetings Attend these monthly sessions & the meetings with the Charlotte Presbytery.with the Charlotte Presbytery.

Pray for guidance Pray for guidance


How can I participate?How can I participate?

ATTEND: ATTEND: Orientation Meeting with the Orientation Meeting with the Presbytery of Charlotte – February 26Presbytery of Charlotte – February 26thth at at 4PM at Siler.4PM at Siler.

Note: The Presbytery of Charlotte has deemed this an Note: The Presbytery of Charlotte has deemed this an orientation meeting for the Discernment Team and orientation meeting for the Discernment Team and congregational input will not be allowed.congregational input will not be allowed.

ATTEND: ATTEND: Joint Sunday School – March 4Joint Sunday School – March 4thth – – “Review the “Reconciliation and Dismissal “Review the “Reconciliation and Dismissal Process.””Process.””


How can I participate?How can I participate?

Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

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