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Doctrine

The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter catechisms (series of questions and answers on Biblical subjects) are a consensus expression of what we believe the Bible teaches. Church officers adopt this creed as a summary of their belief by a vow. Individual members do not take such a vow, though we encourage all to use these documents to deepen their understanding of Biblical Christianity. In short, we believe that God is Trinity, one God in three persons. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are living and eternal God. Each person is equal in power and glory, wholly God.

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• We believe the Bible is God's Word, written by human authors, equipped ('inspired') by the Holy Spirit. Being God's very words, the authors' original products were without error. Therefore, the Bible is infallible. It is the sole authority for faith and life.

• We believe that all humans are sinners, totally unable to save themselves or to earn God's favor. Sinful humanity's only hope is God's free and all-powerful grace.

• We believe that God saves sinners. The Father elects, Christ redeems, and the Holy Spirit applies redemptive grace to sinners.

• We believe that Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He became man, lived, obeyed God's Law, and died under God's curse on the cross, because of the guilt of those He came to redeem, which he carried as if it were his own (imputation).

• We believe that the Father raised His righteous Son from death to glory and gave Him authority over heaven and earth. Thus, Jesus is the Redeemer, the Prophet, Priest and King over God's kingdom, the only mediator between God and man.

• We believe Christ gives His Holy Spirit to all Christians. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to walk by faith in this earthy-life. Thus, Christians grow in holiness even while struggling against their sin, the world, and the devil.

• We believe in the future return of Jesus Christ to judge all humanity and to establish His glory over a new creation. His personal, visible, and bodily return will consummate salvation and God's glory.

Church Government

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There are 3 "marks" of the Biblical church: the ministry of God's Word, the ministry of the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper), and the ministry of church discipline (the spiritual oversight/shepherding of God's people by church leaders). These 3 "marks" are visible graces established and maintained by Christ.

The Biblical form of church government is called "Presbyterian" (see Acts 20:17, Titus 1.5-7, 1 and 2 Timothy) The basic principles of Presbyterianism are:

1. A group* of congregationally recognized and called leaders** governs the local church. Each elder has an equal voice in the spiritual leadership of the local church.

2. The unity of Christ's people must be visibly displayed. Therefore, local congregations gather to form a regional church-body, for the purpose of spiritual accountability and cooperative ministry.

3. The individual churches submit to the leadership of the regional governing body***, which consists of all the pastors and representative elders from each local church.

All spiritual authority in and through the church belongs to Christ the King. Church officers and courts are representative ministers of Christ. Therefore, where Christ has not revealed His will the church has no right to meddle. However, Christ has entrusted spiritual authority to the church in matters of faith and life as it proclaims His living Word. Therefore, the church is essential for the glory of Christ and for healthy growing Christians.

     * This governing body is called a "session."

     ** These leaders are called "elders."

     *** The regional church court is called a "presbytery." Southwest PCA is in the Houston Metro Presbytery.

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Worship

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Southwest Presbyterian's worship service is centered around praise to God -- giving thanks to Him -- and includes Puritan-styled preaching of the Word, times of prayer, readings from the Old and New Testament, a study of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the singing of hymns from the Trinity Hymnal, and occasional special music from local musicians or the church's choir.  The Lord's Supper is served in the morning service on the first Sunday and in the evening service on the third Sunday.