Theology and Beliefs

The most important aspect of who we are theologically concerns our belief that God's Word, the Bible, is without error in all it teaches and that it, alone, is our infallible guide for faith and practice. As J.I. Packer has stated, "God has spoken in the Bible and He has not stuttered." At Maryville Evangelical Church we also gladly celebrate the great truths of the Protestant Reformation:

• Salvation by grace alone through faith, not by works.
• God's absolute sovereignty over all His creation and in salvation.
• A world and life view that has God at the center and man on earth to represent God's redemption to the world.

Other Beliefs and Values

• We believe the Bible to the inspired and inerrant word of God.
• We are bound by the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America and are committed to the truths of Scripture as summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
• We recognize that all of us are sinners, and welcome other sinners who desire to receive God's gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
• We require no conformity other than to Jesus Christ.
• We are committed to prayer both individually and corporately.
• We value components of both traditional and contemporary worship, combining both rejoicing and reverence.
• We take our faith and commitment seriously and recognize Christ's Lordship in all aspects of our lives.
• We foster loving unity and active caring for one another's needs.
• Our members are active in a variety of ministries, and we support missions at home and worldwide with money, prayer and work.
• We endeavor to nurture mature Christians and bring the gospel to unbelievers.
• We seek to cultivate a strong teaching ministry that supports and develops a biblically based Christian worldview.
• Members of Maryville Evangelical Church shall practice the principles of Matthew 18:5 (and other scriptural principals) if offended.

Government

The form of church government, or leadership, that we believe to be the most Biblical is called "Presbyterian." This means simply that we are led by "presbyters," most commonly known as elders, who are elected by the congregation as representatives to oversee the spiritual needs and ministries of the flock.

We have a second group of servant leaders called "deacons." Like the elders, they are elected by the whole congregation. Their main responsibilities are to take care of the physical needs of the body, including the ministries of mercy, the care and maintenance of properties, and financial matters.

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is a young denomination headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1973 by a group of godly men who had a vision for a denomination that would provide the benefits and safeguards of a "framework" for like-minded and like-hearted local churches, yet also one that would respect the individuality and uniqueness of each local church within the larger denominational family. The PCA has more than 1,300 churches throughout the United States and parts of Canada. The denomination has a vital commitment to world evangelization, as evidenced by its missions works in more than 35 countries around the world.

Links

PCA Home Page
Christian Education & Publications
C.E. & P. Bookstore
Covenant College
Covenant Seminary
PCA Newsletter
Mission to North America
Mission to the World
Reformed University Ministries
Ridge Haven Conference & Retreat Center

PCA Home Page
Christian Education & Publications
C.E. & P. Bookstore
Covenant College
Covenant Seminary
PCA Newsletter
Mission to North America
Mission to the World
Reformed University Ministries
Ridge Haven Conference & Retreat Center