In recent months, in multiple settings and in multiple conversations, members of our congregation have expressed a desire to spend some time learning more about what it means to be Presbyterian. There are some who are new Presbyterians and simply want to know more. There are others who have been Presbyterians for years and feel they need a refresher. There are others, still, who want to have a kind of spiritual vocabulary that will help them talk about their faith.
Back in 2011, the Presbyterian Church (USA) underwent a major rewriting of the Book of Order. Now, I sometimes joke that the Book of Order is a great thing to read if you’re having trouble falling asleep, and there are definitely sections of this document that describes how the church is supposed to organize itself – from local congregations all the way up to the General Assembly.
Back in 2011, though, the people working on the rewrite of the Book of Order determined that it would be helpful to pull together some foundational statements – from other parts of the Book of Order as well as the theological tradition upon which the Presbyterian Church (USA) of the 21st Century has been built. To this end, the wise folks who were revamping the Book of Order added a section at the very beginning that helps to give a theological and ecclesial foundation for who we are.
They called this new section of the Book of Order, the “Foundations of Presbyterian Polity.”
If you would like to read a copy of the Book of Order, you can find it, here: https://bedfordpresbyterian.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Book-of-Order.pdf.
The “Foundations” section is at the very beginning.
Now, if you had asked me, years ago, if I would ever think that doing a sermon series on a section of the Book of Order would be fun and exciting, I might have just laughed out loud. But, I am a firm believer in learning more and more about my own faith and – because members of our church family have been expressing a desire to learn more – I think it is very exciting that we will be exploring some of the foundational beliefs of what makes our church – the Presbyterian Church (USA) – unique and special. Besides, the “Foundations” section is beautiful to read and reflect upon.
There are plenty of people who will try to tell you what Christians believe, but sometimes it helps to go back to the foundational documents of what makes us unique to find out where we come from and where God is leading us.
So. . . This coming Sunday is Trinity Sunday – the day that we talk and sing about the meaning of “God, in three persons, blessed Trinity” – and next week, we will begin our summer excavations of our Presbyterian foundations.
I’m looking forward to it!
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “Bring Many Names” (The Doctrine of the Trinity)
Read Psalm 8
Read Matthew 28:16-20
Read 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 and 13:11-13
Read or sing Hymn # 760 – “Bring Many Names”
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video Bring Many NamesPreview YouTube video Bring Many Names