What is Presbyterianism?
Presbyterians are followers of Jesus Christ who gather around the concept of God’s grace. We believe that all people struggle with sin, but in Jesus Christ, God has reached into our sinful state to forgive and save us.
The symbol on our logo is the seal of our church, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Within the seal are a number of symbols that demonstrate some important beliefs of Presbyterians. Below are some illustrations of those symbols and explanations that may help you understand more about what we believe as a congregation. Know also that we believe that learning, discussing, and exploring our faith is vital to our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.
If you would like to dive deeper into the beliefs of Presbyterians, please follow this link to our denominational website for more information.
The Dove: As a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the Dove demonstrates that we are washed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and led by the Spirit as we discern God’s will together.
The Bible: Presbyterians place God’s word in Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament at the center of our life and ministry together. Informed by the Holy Spirit, scripture tells us the story of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ and God;s will for humanity.
The Pulpit: During the Reformation, the reading and preaching of God’s word became central to worship. For the pulpit, we are taught, admonished, inspired, and called to faith in Jesus Christ.
The Cup and Font: Presbyterians affirm the two sacraments established by Jesus in the Gospels: Baptism and the Eucharist (a.k.a. The Lord’s Supper). In the baptism, our sins are washed away and we are grafted onto the body of Christ, the Church. In the Eucharist, we receive Christ through the real presence of the Holy Spirit. The sacraments are both a special means of receiving God’s grace.
The Flames: The flames remind us of God’s revelation to Moses in the burning bush and the flaming tongues of Pentecost. Each remind us that God is present and working in us and around us for the salvation of the world.
The Triangle: The triangular shape of the seal reminds us of the triune nature of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It also reminds us of the nature of Presbyterian governance, wherein authority under Jesus Christ is shared between pastors, elders, and deacons and the various councils of the church.