Presbyterian history
The First Presbyterian Church at Dayton is one of over 10,000 similar congregations spread across the United States that together make up the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In its early history, Presbyterians were united in their adherence to identical beliefs and practices. Today it's difficult to characterize a typical congregation or an average Presbyterian. Our congregations range in membership consisting of twenty people to numbering in the thousands. We can be found everywhere, from the suburbs and cities, to the country and in storefronts. Over two million individuals hold membership in PC(USA) churches – people who come from diverse ethnic, social and economic groups. While this modern diversity sometimes gives us identity problems, it is also a great strength of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Whatever your needs and interests, there is a Presbyterian congregation for you. No matter what our surface differences may be, we are all members of God's family. We are brothers and sisters who love the same Creator and our differences genuinely allow us to be responsive to God's call. However, around the world, Presbyterians share a common understanding that we are all chosen by God to be disciples of Jesus Christ and this unifying force is much stronger than the things that make us different from one another.
The PC(USA) summarizes Presbyterian beliefs this way:
God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike - to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
LEARN MORE:
You can learn more about being Presbyterian including our history, theology and stance on social justice issues at the official ministries website.
In its early history, Presbyterians were united in their adherence to identical beliefs and practices. Today it's difficult to characterize a typical congregation or an average Presbyterian. Our congregations range in membership consisting of twenty people to numbering in the thousands. We can be found everywhere, from the suburbs and cities, to the country and in storefronts. Over two million individuals hold membership in PC(USA) churches – people who come from diverse ethnic, social and economic groups. While this modern diversity sometimes gives us identity problems, it is also a great strength of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Whatever your needs and interests, there is a Presbyterian congregation for you. No matter what our surface differences may be, we are all members of God's family. We are brothers and sisters who love the same Creator and our differences genuinely allow us to be responsive to God's call. However, around the world, Presbyterians share a common understanding that we are all chosen by God to be disciples of Jesus Christ and this unifying force is much stronger than the things that make us different from one another.
The PC(USA) summarizes Presbyterian beliefs this way:
God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike - to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
LEARN MORE:
You can learn more about being Presbyterian including our history, theology and stance on social justice issues at the official ministries website.