What We Believe
• VISION STATEMENT: The vision of First Presbyterian Church is to
make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.
• MISSION STATEMENT: First Presbyterian Church responds to God’s
grace by praising him and offering Christ-centered worship, Bible-based
teachings, and prayerful opportunities for mission and service to all.
• CORE VALUES:
• Christ centered – proclaiming Jesus Christ as God’s
Son and humankind’s only savior
• Bible-based – teaching scripture as God’s inspired word
• Worship focused – seeking to glorify God
• Theologically Reformed – standing in the classic Presbyterian
tradition
• Mission minded – sharing the love of Christ in word and deed
• People loving – showing respect for and kindness to one another
• Generous stewards – giving of time, talent, and treasure for
the glory of God
• Values oriented – striving for personal integrity based on
biblical truth
How Presbyterians Govern Themselves
The Presbyterian Church is a representative democracy governed by elders
elected from and by the congregation of the local church. Session meetings
are held monthly to conduct the business and oversee the ministry of the
local church. Authority resides with these duly elected members, but the
congregation reserves the power to elect officers, call pastors, and make
other major decisions. In addition, local congregations are supported by
and accountable to higher governing bodies (Presbytery, Synod, General Assembly),
constituted of elder representatives of local churches and minister members.
Church Officers
Elders – active members, both men and women, elected to be the spiritual
and organizational leaders of the church. They make decisions regarding
policy, finances, trusteeship, personnel, program, and vision. FPC has
30 elders on its session.
Minister of Word and Sacrament – men and women called and ordained to serve local congregations as pastors or in other specialized ministries. Generally, ministers have completed three years of seminary and hold a Master of Divinity degree. Ministers moderate the session, officiate in the sacraments, and are members of the local Presbytery.
Church Government Structure:
Session – governing body of the local church, made up of elders
elected by and from the congregation to serve a three year term. The session
is moderated by the Pastor. The Session is responsible for the mission
and the government of the church. Therefore it is the responsibility of
the Session for oversight of staff, programs, organizations and budget
of the church. Responsibility for planning and executing most programs
is delegated to Councils and Committees which report to the Session. Responsibility
for receiving new members, ordaining new officers, confirming church goals
and approving the annual budget are not delegated.
Our connectional relationship to the Presbytery of Tampa Bay is maintained by the Session which is responsible for electing elder Commissioners to Presbytery meetings. Ordinarily, five elders plus the clergy staff are in attendance at these quarterly meetings.
Presbytery – the next highest governing body above the session,
made up of elder delegates and the ministers in a particular geographical
area and meeting quarterly. Sessions are accountable to Presbytery in
matters of property and the calling and dismissing of pastors. First Presbyterian
Church is a member of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay.
Synod – the next highest governing body, above the presbytery and
session, made up of elder and minister delegates in a geographical region.
This church and the Presbytery of Tampa Bay belong to the Synod of South
Atlantic, with offices in Jacksonville, FL.
General Assembly – the highest governing body of the church, made up of elder and minister commissioners sent by the presbyteries, as well as advisory delegates. The Assembly meets biannually in June, and its work is carried out year-round by the General Assembly office, headquartered in Louisville, KY.
