Our Denomination

We are a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC).

Our denomination’s purpose is simple:

• To bring glory to God through our churches and individual lives

• To make known to the world the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ

If you're looking for a church that...

• honors God as the sovereign Lord of the universe

• preaches Christ as the Son of God who died for sinners

• lives by the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit

• insists upon the absolute authority of God's Word

…then we invite you to join us in glorifying God through the worship, work, and witness of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church here at Providence Presbyterian Church.

What does “Orthodox” mean?

'Orthodox' refers to teaching that conforms with already established doctrine. That is, doctrines of the Bible, expressed in the historic creeds and confession of the Christian church. It literally means 'straight teaching.'  (The orthodontist 'straightens' one's teeth.) Orthodoxy (straight or true teaching), is akin to  'orthopraxy,' a term which refers to a right or established practice.  Around the time our denomination was formed (1936), it was originally called the 'Presbyterian Church of America,' but had to be changed because the Presbyterian Church in the USA, the denomination from which we came, said that it was too close to their name. So the founders of the newly established, bible-believing denomination changed the name to 'The Orthodox Presbyterian Church.'  

What are the core beliefs of the OPC?

The OPC believes in the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and the importance of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper.

What is the OPC's view on church government?

The OPC follows a presbyterian system of church government, where local churches are governed by a session of elders, regional groups of churches are overseen by presbyteries, and the entire denomination is guided by a General Assembly.

How does the OPC reach out to the community and the world?

The OPC emphasizes both local and global outreach. They engage in home missions, planting new churches within North America, and foreign missions, supporting missionaries in various countries. They also prioritize Christian education through Sunday school materials, training programs, and publications.