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In 2006, we at FPC celebrated our 100th year
of service to the Lord! The anniversary
gave us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate
both our rich heritage and the privilege
we have be a part of God’s ongoing mission and ministry
in our world. After a time of prayer,
fasting and discussion during the
fall of 2005, the Session (Board of Elders)
put into words our reason for existence, both
as individual Christians and
as the Church of Jesus Christ together.
We believe the following Vision, Mission and
Purpose Statements, and our Acronym- FPC, reflect where God
is leading First Presbyterian
Church, Endicott, "for
such a time as this."
In 2008, our “Core Values” were
completed. Core Values describe “a small set of guiding
principles that have a profound impact on how the church thinks
and
acts. ”
In 2010, the Session finalized our “Core
Beliefs” for FPC. How are Core Beliefs different from
Core Values?
Our Core Beliefs are the biblical, theological and moral convictions
that lay the foundation for what is practiced and preached here
at FPC.
Our Core Values, which were adopted 2 years ago, describe the
characteristics or qualities that we pursue as a congregation
because we have determined that they have great worth.
Where do our Core Beliefs come from?
Core Beliefs are based on our best and
most sincere understanding of what Scripture
reveals and teaches. In addition to the
Bible, because we are part of the Reformed
tradition, we look to the Confessions
of the Church as “authentic
and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe
and do.” (Book of Order, W-4.003)
In July, 2011, the Elders responded to a change in the PC(USA)
Constitution which removed any reference to sexual behavior as
a standard for ordained office in the Church. This major shift
in the denomination’s policy on ordination allows each congregation
or presbytery to determine a person’s suitability for ordination/installation.
After praying/fasting, studying the Bible and interpretive resources,
listening and discerning, the Session formulated a response about
Ordination Standards in our local congregation. VISION STATEMENT (What God wants to do)
We believe God wants to transform our community through the saving
love of Jesus Christ and calls us to share that hope with the world. To
be an agent of hope, our congregation must work together
and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to follow Christ, whatever the
cost.1 This commitment, which is grounded in a deep love of
God and neighbor,2 sends us out to share the Good News of Christ
through our words3 and our actions.4
1. The Great Commitment, Matthew
16:24-26
2.The Great Commandment, Luke
10:27
3.The Great Commission, Matthew
28:18-20
4.The Great Compassion, Matthew
25:31-40
MISSION STATEMENT (What God wants us to
do)
We believe God wants us to share the life-changing power
and love of Jesus Christ in such compelling ways that more people
become fully devoted followers of Christ.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
To reach more people and together grow in Christ.
ACRONYM for FPC (First Presbyterian
Church)
Finding Purpose
in Christ
CORE
VALUES of FPC
Purposes |
"Great
Ends
of the Church"
PC(USA) Book of Order, G-1.0200 |
Key Phrases |
FPC Statements |
| Mission |
The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of human kind
and the promotion of social righteousness. |
To become
more outward
- - - -
Reaching beyond |
In joyful response to the grace and mercy we have received
through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are called
to serve God’s creation by ministering to the physical,
emotional and spiritual needs of others. |
| Fellowship |
The shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children
of God |
To become
more united
- - - -
Reaching among |
We believe all people matter to God and must matter to us,
and so we intend to be a fellowship of believers that nurtures
our members and extends the hope of Christ to people everywhere.
|
| Worship |
The maintenance of divine worship |
To become more devoted
- - - -
Reaching up |
It is our greatest privilege to meet the living God in worship
and to celebrate His presence in our lives. Expressions of worship
reflect the variety in both the church and the world, and speak
to each generation in ways that are meaningful and relevant,
and so we strive for vibrant and vital ways to glorify God.
God desires a relationship with each one of us, and so we
are committed to depend on Him through earnest prayer as individuals,
in our families, and as a church. |
| Discipleship |
The preservation of the truth
|
To become
more holy
- - - -
Reaching within |
The Bible is God’s truth and the inspired witness to
the Word of God, and so we study, reflect upon and apply its
teachings to draw us into a deeper understanding of and relationship
with God.
Jesus Christ called us to make disciples of all people, and
so we have a responsibility to help ourselves and others to
become more like Christ. |
| Service |
The exhibition of the Kingdom of God to the world
|
To become more committed
- - - -
Reaching out |
God is the source of all things, and so we are called to use
God’s gifts of material goods, personal abilities, and
time in faithful response to God’s gift in Jesus Christ. |
First Presbyterian Church, Endicott NY, is part
of the Reformed tradition of the Christian faith. The Holy Scriptures
are our highest authority, and the Book of Confessions and Book
of Order help us understand what Scripture leads us to believe
and do. Therefore, all three are foundational in our Core Beliefs.
WE BELIEVE IN GOD’S
GLORY
-
There is only
One God, who is revealed in three persons- Father, Son and
Holy Spirit (The Trinity). (2 Corinthians
13:13, John 10:30)
WE BELIEVE
IN GOD’S MERCIFUL PLAN
-
All have sinned
and need a Savior. (Romans 3:23)
-
Jesus Christ, our
Savior, is the one mediator between God and humankind, and
is the only way to the Father. (John 14:6,
Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5)
-
Jesus Christ died
for our sins and rose again to conquer sin and death. (2
Corinthians 5:21, Romans 10:9, John 3:16
- Salvation is by grace through faith
alone. (Ephesians 2:8-10, Acts 26:20)
WE BELIEVE
IN GOD’S ULTIMATE PURPOSE
-
Jesus Christ promised
He will return to establish a new heaven and new earth. Jesus
will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all and to receive
His people to Himself. (John 14:1-3, Revelation
21:1a, 3-4, Hebrews 9:27-28)
-
We believe in the
resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. (John
5:24, John 11:25, Isaiah 25:8)
WE BELIEVE
IN GOD’S WORD FOR LIFE
WE BELIEVE
IN OUR FAITHFUL RESPONSE TO GOD
-
All aspects of
our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship
of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:9-11)
-
As Christ followers
we are called to worship God both as a body of believers
and continually as individuals. (Hebrews
12:28, John 4:24)
-
We are called to
fellowship with one another and minister to each other ’s
needs. (Acts 2:42)
-
Our loving God
calls us to love all people and minister to their needs regardless
of spiritual or social status. (Luke 10:26-28)
-
Jesus Christ calls
us to make disciples of all people. (Matthew
28:19-20a)
-
The Holy Spirit
is God's transforming power and presence at work in and through
us, and gives us the strength and wisdom to trust Christ
and follow Him. (Acts 1:8)
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