Core Beliefs
We hold the basic tenets of historic Christianity. We are also a confessional church, which means that we adhere to statements of faith that we believe accurately represent the essential teachings of the scriptures. You can read in more detail what we believe in the following documents:
Westminster Standards
Apostles Creed
Nicene Creed
Our Beliefs
Our Vision
Our vision is to see our church and communities delighting in God, passionately following Jesus, and loving all people.
Mission Statement
WHO WE ARE:
"First Presbyterian is a biblical, confessional, Reformed congregation, of the PCA, committed to the Good News of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible (the Word of God). We are called to glorify the Triune God and enjoy Him forever."
WHAT WE DO:
1. To equip the saints for the work of ministry for the building up of the body.
• Through expositional preaching and teaching of the historic Reformed faith
• Promoting the unity of this faith among our members
• Maintaining divine worship and proper administration of the sacraments
• Encouraging the regular practice of corporate and individual prayer
• Teaching the love of God and neighbor by intentional thought, word, and actions
• Encouraging marriage and formation of covenant families marked by godly nurture and admonition
• Sharing our lives with one another in fellowship, burden bearing and promoting accountability to each other
• Identifying and encouraging our spiritual gifts
• Declaring the gospel to one another
• Promoting the unity of this faith among our members
• Maintaining divine worship and proper administration of the sacraments
• Encouraging the regular practice of corporate and individual prayer
• Teaching the love of God and neighbor by intentional thought, word, and actions
• Encouraging marriage and formation of covenant families marked by godly nurture and admonition
• Sharing our lives with one another in fellowship, burden bearing and promoting accountability to each other
• Identifying and encouraging our spiritual gifts
• Declaring the gospel to one another
2. To witness and serve in Ocean City and the surrounding communities.
• Renewing the community around us through Gospel centered living
• Caring for the poor, sick, and those who live alone without support
• Providing meeting space for community organizations
• Cooperating with Christian organizations who come to the Jersey shore for ministry and renewal
• Participate with other churches and local ministries in community outreaches and services
• Sending out our members to share the Gospel in their professional and social relationships.
• Caring for the poor, sick, and those who live alone without support
• Providing meeting space for community organizations
• Cooperating with Christian organizations who come to the Jersey shore for ministry and renewal
• Participate with other churches and local ministries in community outreaches and services
• Sending out our members to share the Gospel in their professional and social relationships.
3. To proclaim the Gospel in all the world.
• Through prayer and financial support of local and foreign missions
• Forming personal relationships with missionaries we support
• Encouraging and sending members to serve in cross-cultural missions
• Forming personal relationships with missionaries we support
• Encouraging and sending members to serve in cross-cultural missions
Vision Statement
WE BELIEVE THIS STATEMENT REPRESENTS A NUMBER OF OUR ASPIRATIONS:
- We desire to be witnesses preaching the gospel to all our neighbors knowing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
- We use the plural- “communities” - recognizing that our target membership comes from a number of geographic areas within a 20 minute drive from the Campus.
- We focus on the Church first, knowing that we must continue to “preach the Gospel to ourselves” as we practice discipleship in the goal of becoming mature in Christ.
- We look to our beloved Westminster Shorter Catechism first Question for a summary of our eternal purpose to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever” - this is our personal desire and our desire for all unbelievers.
- We desire to never lose our first love, to be always reminded of the glory of our Savior Jesus.
- We desire to be continuously renewed by the transforming of our mind.
- We desire to be loving and gracious to all people regardless of race, gender, class, politics, disability, etc. in order to show forth the love of God, knowing that all people are created in God’s image.