Presbyterian.
Our church belongs to a greater denomination called the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Being Presbyterian is a way of being Christian so the word is more like an adjective than a noun. Presbyterians are known by their theology and church government.
Presbyterianism came to America in its colonial days and has its roots in the Scottish Reformation.
Theology.
Presbyterians like books. A lot. We are governed and steered by three chief books: The Word of God (Holy Scripture), the Book of Confessions, and the Book of Order.
Presbyterians believe that the Word of God is Jesus Christ who is without doubt, clause, or dispute God's Word on God. All of Scripture points to Him and He fulfills and perfects the purpose behind God's Word.
God has spoken once and for all in Jesus Christ and especially in His Cross which shows us the depths of God's love towards us and the Truth about ourselves and humanity.
In our Church we celebrate two sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist. Baptism is how we are adopted into the Body of Christ: the Church. For us, Baptism is covenental in nature and celebrates what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us as Christians and His People, forever. If you are interested in Baptism ask a fellow Christian or a Pastor.
In the Eucharist we remember Jesus' last meal with His disciples. On His last night on Earth, Jesus washed His disciples' feet, commanded that they love one another, then gave them and us a new tradition of breaking bread and drinking wine together to remember His saving death until we see Him face to face. We use grape juice : )
How We Do Church.
Presbyterians believe in Six Great Ends of the Church. Think of this like it's a recipe for a good church. All of these need to be included for the church to taste and feel right.
These are The Great Ends:
1. The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind.
2. The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God.
3. The maintenance of divine worship.
4. The preservation of the Truth.
5. The promotion of Social Righteousness.
6. The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
Government.
The word, Presbyterian, comes from a Greek word for elder. Our Church is governed by a collection of Elders. In our Church, there are no Bishops, Priests, or special Christians. We are all called to Priesthood in Christ and we are a society of equals under Him. There are, however, special forms of ministry in the Church such as Deacons, Ruling Elders, and Teaching Elders.
In our Church, we elect Ruling Elders to do the special ministry of governing our individual church. When our Elders meet to govern the Church we call it Session. By the Holy Spirit, Session guides and leads our individual church.
Our church is also part of a larger whole. We belong to a collection of churches called the Presbytery of Detroit. Our Presbytery belongs to a regional body called the Synod of the Covenant.
If you have any questions about any of this you could come and worship with us at 10am on Sundays, watch online on Youtube, or reach out to us and ask!
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:18-20
A church
for all people.
Westminster
Church
of Detroit
17567 Hubbell Ave., Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 341-2697