Worship
We seek to worship God in the manner He has commanded in the Scriptures. Our liturgy (order of worship) is “dialogical” in nature, a holy conversation as it were, reflecting the reality of the covenant God speaking and his people responding to his Word. Thus, the elements are divided between those that performed on behalf of God (through a representative voice) and those elements which are performed by the congregation (through their own or a representative voice). We seek for the preaching of the Word to be dignified and Christ-centered, faithful to the Scriptures as interpreted in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.
Ministry
Our aim and purpose in ministry is to equip the saints to serve the Lord in every area of life, progressively bringing every thought, word and deed into conformity with the Word of God until we reach unity in faith and attain “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13b) We shall promote a sense of obligation to the welfare of our fellow men, first to the members of God’s household, and as we are able to others God may in His providence bring to our ministry. The deacons shall lead the congregation in carrying out this responsibility, and we shall regularly provide opportunity for members to give of their substance and their talents in service of others. We aim to promote a Presbyterian view of ministry, staying abreast of OPC Foreign and Home Missionaries’ activities and opportunities, as well as the Ohio Presbytery and the Ohio Regional Home Missionary, so that we are better equipped to pray and share in the work of the broader church.
Evangelism
The authoritative preaching of the Word of God is the chief means Christ has given for the gathering of His elect into the church, and their subsequent growth in grace. The Pastor shall solemnly and publicly preach the gospel to the congregation, by interpreting the Word of God, and applying the same by exhortation and reproof unto them. “We preach Christ crucified…to those who are called, both Jew and Greek, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (I Corinthians 1:23-24) Christ has also given all Christians the privilege of sharing the truth of God with those into whose presence the providence of God may bring them. The session shall take care to ensure that the preaching, teaching and catechizing of the congregation prepares each member for this friend-to-friend evangelism.
The saints, gathered into the visible, organized body of Christ are the covenant community of God. Therefore, our aim is to cultivate a sense of true community, whose members are committed to the entire body and to each other individually, “Considering one another in order to stir up love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24) To this end our goal shall be to encourage one another to faithfulness in worship and the enjoyment of each other’s company in fellowship. We shall pursue peace with all men and to learn, by God’s grace, to live together in harmony – “as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)