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

Why am I not in Sunday School ? Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

“Presbytery of Charlotte Commitment to Pursuing Reconciliation with Member Churches Seeking Dismissal from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)” Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads On November 8 th, the Session of Siler Presbyterian Church voted unanimously to enter:

Monthly Sunday Schools – 2 nd Sunday’s 1. Why has Siler chosen to enter the process? 2. What is Presbyterianism? 3. Charlotte Presbytery Process. 4. How has Siler responded to PCUSA in the past? 5. If dismissed, where are we going? Pending meetings with the Charlotte Presbytery Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads What is going to happen ……

Being Presbyterian Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian Being Presbyterian Being Presbyterian is first about a form of Government Being Presbyterian is first about a form of Government Primarily Presbyterianism is not theology or doctrine, but polity. Primarily Presbyterianism is not theology or doctrine, but polity. Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

“Presbyteros” means governed by elders. We are a church led by those elected as Elders. Presbyterians have a representative form of government. –Elders and Deacons are elected by the people to lead the church in most matters of faith and mission. Being Presbyterian- Representative Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Our form of Government is much like that of the United States, which was patterned after the Presbyterian polity. Our polity was patterned after the Church of Geneva under John Calvin and the Church of Scotland led by John Knox. Being Presbyterian – Government /Polity Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian – Structure and Governing Bodies General Assembly General Assembly Presbyteries (173) district governing bodies Synods (16) regional governing bodies Session Session >11,000 Congregations Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Presbyterianism was purchased with blood. In France, England and Scotland, Presbyterians were slaughtered during certain periods of those first years because they were standing up for their beliefs. –In France alone the population of Protestant churches and her people were reduced by two thirds between 1570 and Being Presbyterian – Historical Commitment to Beliefs Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian – Reformed Reformed thought comes out of the Reformation of the 16th Century. The Reformation was a biblical response to the excesses and perversions of the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformers, having returned to Scripture, attempted to carefully and faithfully rebuild the church upon the teachings of the New Testament. Thus by affirming Reformed theology, a person is implicitly denying certain other theologies. Particularly from the theology of John Calvin. Particularly from the theology of John Calvin. Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian God Centered Reformed Theology is God centeredGod centered Not centered on mankindNot centered on mankind God is absolutely sovereign over all aspects of this world and our lives. All things are under God’s rule and control and nothing happens without His direction or permission God’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 Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

1. The mystery of the Trinity 2. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ 3. Justification by Grace through Faith alone 4. Substitutionary Nature of Atonement 5. Scripture as our final authority 6. God’s absolute sovereignty 7. God’s election of the People of God 8. The Covenant life of the church 9. Stewardship of God’s Creation and resources 10. The idolatry of sin 11. The Call to obedience Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith

Solo Christo Sola Scriptura Sola Gratia Sola Fide Soli Deo Gloria The Five Solas are the foundational beliefs of our church. The Reformation got us back to the biblical pillars of our faith. Being Presbyterian – Five Solas of the Reformed Faith Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

By Christ alone The Bible is clear about from whom our Salvation is acquired. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. 1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Being Presbyterian Solo Christo Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian Sola Scriptura The Scriptures alone The Scriptures are our one and final authority for all the church believes and does. Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian – Sola Gratia By Grace alone Ephesians 2:9 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 that no one can boast. Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian - Sola Fide Through Faith alone Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.” Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

To the Glory of God alone Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do far more 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 in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen Being Presbyterian - Soli Deo Gloria Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are Confessional Confessions are reliable teachings extracted from the scripture. They teach us what to believe and do. With the voices of history we join in adoration of our living God. Types of Confessional Documents Confessions- detailed statements of our beliefs Confessions- detailed statements of our beliefs The Westminster Confession The Scots‘ ConfessionThe Scots‘ Confession Catechisms- Questions and Answers of our beliefs Catechisms- Questions and Answers of our beliefs The Westminster CatechismThe Westminster Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism Creeds- short statements of our beliefs made to be memorized Creeds- short statements of our beliefs made to be memorized The Apostles CreedThe Apostles Creed The Nicene CreedThe Nicene Creed Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are Connectional We do not work in isolation from other churches. We are not independent. We are not autonomous. All congregations in a given area connect us as a Christian family. Presbyterian congregations join together in “Presbyteries.” Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are “Missional” The history of the Presbyterian tradition is one of mission and outreach. 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. Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian - Presbyterians are Missional We not only believe in the Great Commission, we are committed to fulfilling it. 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 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Being Presbyterian “I am not ashamed of the Gospel” Romans 1:16 Neither am I ashamed to be Presbyterian. Neither am I ashamed to be Presbyterian. Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads

Do you have any questions about “being Presbyterian?” Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads Your turn…….

Become more informed – Ask Questions/Share with your Session Invite the Denominational Committee to your Sunday School class. Attend these monthly sessions & the meetings with the Charlotte Presbytery. Pray for guidance Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads How can I participate?

ATTEND: Orientation Meeting with the Presbytery of Charlotte – February 26 th at 4PM at Siler. Note: The Presbytery of Charlotte has deemed this an orientation meeting for the Discernment Team and congregational input will not be allowed. ATTEND: Joint Sunday School – March 4 th – “Review the “Reconciliation and Dismissal Process.”” Siler Presbyterian Church - Serving Christ in the Crossroads How can I participate?