Our Beliefs and Ministry
Olivet has been a member congregation of The Presbyterian Church in America ("the PCA") since the denomination’s establishment in 1973.[1] The PCA was formed for the glory of God and with a firm commitment to being a church “Faithful to the Scriptures, true the Reformed Faith, and obedient to the Great Commission.” Those basic values remain at the core of our beliefs, our worship, and our ministry as a church.
By the term “Reformed” we mean that we identify ourselves with the doctrinal beliefs of the historic church recovered during the Protestant Reformation of 16th and 17th centuries as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.[2] All officers of the PCA (pastors, elders, and deacons) subscribe to the teachings of these Westminster Standards. Among those beliefs is the conviction of the complete authority of the Bible as the written word of God.
The term “Presbyterian” is descriptive of our system of church government.[3] It comes from the Greek word for “elder,” and it indicates that the church is under the oversight and leadership of elders. Each local church is led by a “Session” of elders who have been elected by the congregation. Within a specific geographical region, elder representatives of each local congregation compose a “Presbytery.” Olivet is a member of Fellowship Presbytery[4] which includes thirteen PCA congregations in the north-central portion of South Carolina. Annually representatives from local churches throughout the denomination meet at a “General Assembly” held at various locations from year to year.
We are also an “Evangelical” church. That term means that we emphasize the gospel, that is, the good news of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through his perfect life and sacrificial death, atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him alone for salvation. Jesus said,
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (ESV Matthew 28:19-20, “The Great Commission”)
In obedience to our Lord Jesus, we gladly proclaim the good news to our own community, and seek to make it known throughout the world through our support of gospel missions.
[1] See http://www.pcanet.org/history/
[2] See http://www.pcaac.org/resources/wcf/
[3] See http://www.pcaac.org/resources/bco/
PURPOSE STATEMENT
We believe that the purpose of Olivet Presbyterian Church is to glorify God by being obedient to His Great Commission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. This is to be accomplished not in our strength, but in the power of the Lord through ministries of gospel proclamation, biblical education and training, by deeds of mercy, and by incorporating new believers and their families into the worship, work and fellowship of the church. Since the Great Commission is not merely local but global in scope, we will also be active in world mission efforts, providing prayer, financial, and other support for the gospel work worldwide.
THE PCA
Olivet Presbyterian Church is a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America.
To find out more about our denomination, click here to visit the PCA site!
SISTER CHURCHES
Olivet PCA is part of Fellowship Presbytery. Click here to see a list of our sister churches in the area.
