Theological Identity
Christian
We confess, believe, and teach the Christian faith as it is summarized in the traditional creeds of the Church—the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds.
Reformed
We are also a “Reformed” church. That is short for "Reformation” and refers to the 16th-century Reformation led by Martin Luther and John Calvin. The Reformation was a movement to reform the doctrine and worship of late-medieval church by returning to the authority of the Scriptures. We believe the confessions and catechisms of the 16th- and 17th-century Reformed churches are still useful guides to understanding Gospel of God’s grace revealed in the Bible. The Belgic Confession, the Westminster Confession & Catechisms, and the Heidelberg Catechism are our confessional standards.
Presbyterian
We are a Presbyterian church, which means we are governed by “elders” (Greek: presbuteroi). This means there is a plurality of leadership in the local church (pastors, elders, and deacons). But it also means that we are connected to larger bodies of regional and national leaders to enable us better to accomplish the Great Commission and also to provide accountability and wise advice beyond the local church. Providence is a member of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC).