About Us Our Denomination | The Presbyterian Church in America |
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Covenant of Grace Presbyterian Church is part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Born in 1973, the PCA is a young denomination, but our heritage is traced to the New Testament and the Reformation of the 16th century. The Reformation began as a movement intent on reforming the Roman Catholic Church and purifying it from corruption. In the end, the Reformation gave rise to three major Protestant denominations: The Lutherans, the Anglicans (or Episcopalians), and the Presbyterians (i.e. Reformed). A burning desire for a Biblical church was the driving force behind the beginning of Presbyterianism and continues to characterize the PCA today. Unfortunately, in this century, the major Presbyterian denominations have generally forsaken teachings and practices that are essential to Biblical Christianity. Because of their desire for a Biblical church, the people who formed our denomination left their old affiliations to form a new church, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA was formed to perpetuate Christ-centered beliefs adhering to the doctrine of the Reformed faith and Biblical inerrancy. At first the PCA was called the National Presbyterian Church until 1974 when it changed its name to Presbyterian Church in America. The PCA has made a firm commitment on the doctrinal standards, which had been significant in presbyterianism since 1645, namely the Westminster Confession of Faith, with its Larger and Shorter Catechisms. These doctrinal standards express the distinctives of the Calvinistic or Reformed tradition. The PCA is divided into regional presbyteries. Covenant of Grace is a member of the Chesapeake Presbytery, which includes other PCA churches in Maryland. You can learn more about the PCA by visiting the official PCA web site at www.pcanet.org. You can also check out the official web magazine of the Presbyterian Church in America at www.byfaithonline.com where you will find stories, news articles, commentaries and book reviews on subjects regarding the PCA and Christianity in general. To find out more about our regional Chesapeake Presbytery you can go to www.chesapeakepresbytery.org. |