WHAT WE BELIEVE
CHURCH DOCTRINE
Cahaba Park Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and began as a church plant of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The PCA began in 1973 and is one of the fastest growing Christian churches in the United States. The PCA is a denomination that is both conservative and progressive. Theologically, we are conservative, and are committed to the full authority of the Bible, believe in the historic doctrines of the Christian faith, and affirm that salvation is offered to all people by grace through faith in Christ.
At the same time, we are a progressive church, eager to present the Gospel to all people: there is good news of life with God in Christ. We are committed to make disciples and to apply the unchanging truths of the Bible to an ever-changing world.
Specifically, We Believe…
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…in the Trinity. There is one God who exists eternally in three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God. The same in substance, equal in power and glory.
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…in the full divinity and the full humanity of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. Jesus Christ is the fullest and final revelation of God to mankind. He, upon becoming man, lived, died and rose again to atone for the sins of those who trust in Him alone for their salvation. He is the only mediator between God and mankind.
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…in the Holy Scriptures. We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is infallible and our divine authority in all matters of faith and practice.
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…that all people are sinners and are unable to save themselves or even cooperate with God in efforts to earn their salvation.
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…that salvation is by God’s action alone, who saves His people by drawing them to Jesus by His Holy Spirit. He convinces them of their sin and enlightens them so that they repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as He is offered in the gospel.
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…that God’s Holy Spirit gives Christians the daily strength and wisdom they need to walk according to His will and to grow in holiness.
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…that Jesus Christ shall return personally, visibly, and bodily to judge all mankind and to receive His people unto Himself.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Our church leadership is under the authority of elders and deacons as described in the Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian Church in America. It states:
Elders
This office is one of dignity and usefulness. The man who fills it has in Scripture different titles expressive of his various duties. As he has the oversight of the flock of Christ, he is termed bishop or pastor. As it is his duty to be grave and prudent, an example to the flock, and to govern well in the house and Kingdom of Christ, he is termed presbyter or elder. As he expounds the Word, and by sound doctrine both exhorts and convinces the gainsayer, he is termed teacher. These titles do not indicate different grades of office, but all describe one and the same office. (BCO 8-1)
He that fills this office should possess a competency of human learning and be blameless in life, sound in the faith and apt to teach. He should exhibit a sobriety and holiness of life becoming the Gospel. He should rule his own house well and should have a good report of them that are outside the Church. (BCO 8-2)
Deacons
The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need. (BCO 9-1)
It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation. In matters of special importance affecting the property of the church, they cannot take final action without the approval of the Session and consent of the congregation. (BCO 9-2)
In the discharge of their duties the deacons are under the supervision and authority of the Session. In a church in which it is impossible for any reason to secure deacons, the duties of the office shall devolve upon the ruling elders.