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FAQ

  1. What does Wheatland believe?
  2. When do you meet?
  3. What is "PCA?"
  4. What does the PCA believe?
  5. What is "presbyterian?"

1. What does Wheatland believe?

We believe the Bible is the Word of God and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice for the Christian. Following in the line of the Protestant Reformation, we are "Reformed" in doctrine. We have a high view of God: we believe God is a personal being and sovereign over all things. We have a realistic view of humanity and that all of us are sinners, standing in the need of God's forgiveness, strength to live and need of a new life. We have a trusting view of Jesus Christ that he is the only means to a relationship with God. Our written doctrinal standards are the Westminster Confession of Faith including the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. In practice, Wheatland frequently makes use of other ancient and historic summaries of faith including the "Apostle's Creed."

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2. When do you meet?

Sunday morning worship is at 8:00am and 10:45am with Sunday classes for all ages beginning at 9:30am. We provide a nursery for children ages 3 and under.

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3. What is "PCA?"

Wheatland Presbyterian Church is voluntarily affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in American (PCA). This relationship guides our local church structure, allows for mutual encouragement and accountability among churches, and connects us with ministries throughout North America and around the globe. Within the PCA there are over 1200 local churches representing more than 200,000 members. There are also more than 170 mission churches.

Being part of the PCA enables Wheatland to support church planting in North America and overseas. Mission to North America (MNA), the PCA's denominational church planting arm, works to plant new churches in strategic locations throughout North America. Mission to the World (MTW), the PCA's denominational mission agency, proclaims the Christian message around the globe.

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4. What does the PCA believe?

A Synopsis of the Beliefs of the Presbyterian Church in America:

  • The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
  • There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who are to be equally loved, honored and adored.
  • All mankind participated in Adam's fall from his original sinless state and is thus lost in sin and totally helpless.
  • The Sovereign God, for no other reason than His own unfathomable love and mercy, has chosen lost sinners from every nation to be redeemed by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit and through the atoning death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.
  • Those sinners whom the Spirit quickens, come to believe in Christ as Savior by the Word of God, are born again, become sons of God, and will persevere to the end.
  • Justification is by faith and through it the undeserving sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ.
  • The goal of God's salvation in the life of the Christian is holiness, good works, and service for the glory of God.
  • At death the Christian's soul passes immediately into the presence of God and the unbeliever's soul is eternally separated from God unto condemnation.
  • Baptism is a sign of God's covenant and is properly administered to children of believers in their infancy as well as to those who come as adults to trust in Christ.
  • Jesus Christ will return to earth, visibly and bodily, at a time when He is not expected, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
  • The Gospel of God's salvation in Jesus Christ must be published to all the world as a witness before Jesus Christ returns.

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5. What is "presbyterian?"

It is a way of ordering and governing a church. Being presbyterian means that local churches are governed by "presbyters" or elders, who are elected by the congregation. There are two kinds of elders: "teaching elders" or ordained pastors, and "ruling elders" or ordained laymen. Together, the elders make up the "Session". The Session oversees the faith and life of the local church. The elders structure the congregation's ministries in order to accomplish the church's mission.

In the PCA, churches are grouped together in regions called "presbyteries". The presbytery serves the churches by coordinating and encouraging ministries while holding churches and elders accountable to the standards of the denomination. We are part of the Susquehanna Valley Presbytery, which includes churches from much of central Pennsylvania. Ruling and teaching elders from each church gather four times a year to examine candidates for ministry, to develop plans for church planting and to encourage each other.

Every year, local church representatives throughout North America meet at "General Assembly". The Assembly enables all churches to have a voice in guiding the spiritual and practical affairs of the denomination.

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