Missions

In the Book of Order (BoO) the Church is defined using historical documents as well as Scripture.  In First Corinthians 12:27-28, the Church is defined as the body of Christ, but also the community of faith -- entrusting itself to God alone, even at the risk of losing its life.  Following the teachings of Calvin, we read about the “marks” of the Church, which are the Word of God truly preached and heard, the Sacraments rightly administered, and ecclesiastical discipline uprightly ministered.  These marks have been checks for the Church since the work of Martin Luther and John Calvin and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.  Later in the life of the Presbyterian Church  (UPCNA) the idea of a Mission Statement was pondered and out of the discussion the “Great Ends” of the Church were formulated to become part of our constitution early in the twentieth century.  These ends are 1) the proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of humankind;  2) the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; 3) the maintenance of divine worship; 4) the preservation of the truth; 5) the promotion of social righteousness; and 6) the exhibition of the Kingdom of heaven to the world.  Our entire mission emerges from these tenants.