about Presbyterians
	The links at right will direct you to the latest catechetical and confessional statements of Presbyterian belief, including the Confession developed by our own Presbytery.	Brief Statement of Faith
	Presbyterians have said their polity (system of church government) goes back to the Exodus, when the father-in-law of Moses persuaded him to let chosen elders help him to lead. Others find precedent in the New Testament book of Acts, where Matthias was elected to replace Judas as a member of the Twelve originally called by Jesus.  A representative government is, in any case, dear to the Presbyterian heart, and was present both in Calvin's Geneva and as a template in the formation of an American government. But Presbyterians are not defined by polity alone.  Rather they have a defined theological confession, a rich tradition and history, and a wonderful perspective on the grace of God.
		First Catechism
		Confirmation Catechism
		Study Catechism
		Confession of Conscience
		Presbyterians & the Millennium
	In theology, Presbyterians are part of the Reformed family of churches, tracing a heritage back at least to the Protestant Reformation and John Calvin's Geneva. So we are Calvinists, though today usually not as dour as our ancestors. Some Presbyterians still view the Church of Scotland as the "Mother Kirk", and indeed many of America's Presbyterians did come here from Scotland and Ireland. But Presbyterianism is a global expression of Christianity, and the world's largest Presbyterian congregation is in Seoul, Korea. Here in New Mexico, Presbyterians are more likely to get sentimental over mariachi music than over bagpipes, and they will prefer posole to either haggis or kimchee!
	John Calvin's symbol was a burning heart in the hand of God. Presbyterians combine intellectual rigor with fierce compassion, in living out the Christian life.  Honest Biblical scholarship and the soul's experience of a loving God are equally important, along with a life of service in response to God's gift of grace. Presbyterians arrived in New Mexico in the mid-19th century, bringing with them schools, hospitals, evangelists, and that single-minded Presbyterian sense of justice. Some interesting things have been said about Presbyterians . . .
	"Cousin America has run off with the Presbyterian parson, and there's not a thing we can do about it." (a member of Parliament during the Revolutionary War.)
	"I'd like to be a Presbyterian, but I'm not up to it physically!" (an Episcopal colleague, during one of our more enthusiastic periods.)
	"I'd rather face a whole army, than one Presbyterian convinced he has the truth of God and bent on doing it!"  (an Englishman, we recollect.)

If there were only one word to describe the Presbyterian life, it might be: Thanksgiving.      And here is why . . .

Presbyterians believe that God is Creator of this good world, and that God's gracious providence sustains us all. And if God is sovereign of the world, then no one else is!

Presbyterians know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the Incarnate Word of God with us, who is both unique and universal. On his resurrection from death we hang all our faith.

Presbyterians believe God is at work in the world through the Holy Spirit, which enlivens and preserves the church.  Having said all this so far, it is clear Presbyterians are Trinitarians, understanding that God in faithful relationship to God's own self gives a model for human life.

Presbyterians trust in the authority of Scripture, God's written word a true witness to the Word that is Christ Jesus. We take it seriously; we study it. And our worship life finds both Word and Sacrament at its center.

Presbyterians know that (with the rest of humankind) we are broken by sin, prone to rebel against our loving God, and suffering from alienation. As such we need salvation, and that salvation we find in Christ Jesus. We know that salvation comes through no action of our own, but only through God's action in Jesus Christ. Presbyterians believe that God has elected to give grace and save the people, indeed predestined it. And our only part in that is thanksgiving - to respond with grateful hearts.

Knowing we are justified by grace through faith, and that it is God's gift to us, the Christian Life then becomes one of response and thanksgiving to God.  Committed service to the worship of God, the imitation of Christ in loving neighbors, and telling real Good News to the whole world becomes a calling we do joyfully.  In our best moments we are fearless in the pursuit of justice, truth, and compassionate action.  And we do it because God is good.

That makes for a community of the faithful, a priesthood of all believers, a people of God in mission - saved, called and sent.  Everywhere we find God revealed in this world, and our whole being would respond - heart and head, soul and body, with the finest thinking, the most diligent service, the most heartfelt praise, ever Thankful to the source of all that is true and good.

 

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