OUR NAME: Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Grace – The first part of our name “Grace” reflects on God’s great love and mercy to us. God’s grace is the favor He shows to those who do not deserve it, and it comes to us as a free gift by which we are saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This is tremendously freeing as it shows that our salvation is all of God and not dependent on who we are or what we do. At Grace OPC, we sincerely desire for God’s grace to be evident in our lives so we might be used by God to share his grace with the world as he calls people to himself. We also desire to grow in God’s grace (2 Peter 3:16) by the diligent use of the means of grace (Word, sacraments and prayer).
Orthodox – Although we use the word Orthodox in our name, we are not to be confused with churches in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Orthodox simply means “straight teaching” or “true glory”, from the Greek ortho, meaning “straight” and dox, meaning “glory”. At Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church we strive to hold to the straight teachings of Scripture, and to apply them not just in word, but in deed and in all of life. We hope that in all we preach, teach, say and do, God’s word is both primary and clearly conveyed, and as a result, God is glorified.
Presbyterian – We are Presbyterian because be believe that the Bible lays out the form of government by which Christ’s church is to be governed. Presbterianism teaches that the congregations of Chirst’s church throughout every region and in the whole world are spiritually and vitally connected to each other. The Bible prescribes that rule in the local church is to be by a plurality of elders, meaning that the Ruling Elders, along with the Pastor or Teaching Elder rule the church by example, humility and guided by the Holy Spirit. “Ruling elders, individually and jointly with the pastor in the session, are to lead the church in the service of Christ. They are to watch diligently over the people committed to their charge to prevent corruption of doctrine or morals… They should visit the people, especially the sick, instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourning, and nourish and guard the children of the covenant.” – The Book of Church Order of the OPC
Church – The use of church, in the last part of our name, conveys more than just a building, an organization or a group of people. The church is best understood as God’s chosen, covenantal community, established by Christ for his glory and the protection of his people. This shows that the church is something put together by God himself, with its chief purpose being to glorify God. By becoming a member of the church, you place yourself under the care and protection of Christ and his servants.
