In Antioch the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’
Acts 11:26

On This Page:  Vision Statement     Welcome     Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Church Links     The Word "Presbyterian"

Vision Statement
       As individuals with unique perspectives, we are united through a common belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  We gather as a vibrant and growing congregation reflecting the diversity of our community.  Worship, centered in the Living Word, draws our spirits to rejoice in the mystery, wonder, and awesome presence of God.  Faith moves us to follow Jesus Christ in ministry and service to our neighbors' needs.

Welcome to Anaheim First Presbyterian Church
       We are the oldest Protestant Congregation in Orange County--serving the City of Anaheim for over 134 years.  As with many downtown churches, we were much larger at one time--but now carry on an effective ministry with around 200 members.
         Our main formal Sunday worship service is at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.  Our Hispanic brethren meet as the Getsemani Presbyterian Church in the sanctuary each Sunday at noon.  
        The children receive their training by attending worship through the Children's Sermon when they are dismissed to their classes.  
        We have an active Women's Circle that meets monthly and a Men's Fellowship that meets each week.  Volunteers help staff the office and provide labor for many maintenance projects around our campus.
        Various groups share our facility.  We have an AA chapter that meets here, Independent Adoption Group, Presbytery of Los Ranchos, Orange County Congregation Community Organization, Anaheim Community Theater, Harborlites and our Anaheim Presbyterian Children's Center.
        The Anaheim Presbyterian Children's Center is owned and operated by the First Presbyterian Church as part of its ministry to the community.  The school is open to everyone regardless of race, creed, or social background.  The center offers care for infants through pre-kindergarten.
        Thank you for visiting our website.  You're welcome to visit us in person whenever you are in the area.    

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
       "Presbyterian" is a governmental structure for organizing how we go about being the church, how we are governed.  It is not a belief system.  There are no set doctrines  or required beliefs,  other than the obvious one to qualify as Christian.  That being said, a faithful member accepts  Christ's call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of His church.  Such involvement includes:

                   Proclaiming the good news
                   Taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church
                   Praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church
                   Supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time and talents
                   Participating in the governing responsibilities of the church
                   Demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church
                   Responding to God's activity in the world through service to others
                   Living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social                      relationships of life
                   Working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.

        Our official book of what is expected of members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),the Book of Order, speaks loudly of the desire to have active, full participants in the life of the church.
        "Accepting the privilege and responsibility of membership in the church is a commitment to Jesus Christ that binds the individual to fulfillment of the obligations of membership."
        Obviously, membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is not for sissies, but the rewards, satisfactions, and pleasures of the job far out-weigh anything that could possibly be seen as drawbacks, and we at the Anaheim branch of the organization encourage and invite you to visit us and see what all the fuss is about.  You'll be glad you did!     

Presbyterian Church Links
        Above is the official seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  The national website http://www.pcusa.org has lots of great information.  
       One of the best links for newcomers to our denomination is http://www.pcusa.org/101/ . As the "101" implies, the articles cover the basics of Presbyterian history, beliefs, and how we fit into the world of people calling ourselves 'Christians'.  
       Aside from the obvious stylized cross shape, there are interesting individual components of the official seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) like the descending dove and the open Bible.  This link gives a full description: http://www.pcusa.org/oga/seal.htm 
       There are a couple of steps between the individual churches governed by elected Elders who hold Sessions moderated by the Senior Pastor and the national governance which holds an annual General Assembly.  Local groups of churches are represented by the Presbytery.  The name of our local office is aptly named after the Spanish ranchos that were prominent land grants in early California development.  As it happens, Los Ranchos Presbytery has its offices in the John Calvin Educational Building on our campus.  Their website is http://www.losranchos.org . The next step before reaching the national church governance is called the Synod.  Los Ranchos Presbytery belongs to the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.  Synod information is found at http://www.synod.org/ .
       If this representational form of government seems a little like the United States Government, keep in mind that the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence was a Presbyterian minister, John Witherspoon (1723-1794).  The Scottish immigrant and descendant of Protestant Reformer John Knox was the 6th president of Princeton University, a member of the Continental Congress and played a prominent role in the creation of a national Presbyterian Church in early America even presiding over the first General Assembly until a Moderator was elected. This link to Princeton's website offers a brief concise biography of Mr. Witherspoon .
       The Presbyterian Historical Society has created an excellent online exhibit called, Sixteenth-Century European Reformers and Their Texts.  CLICK HERE to visit this exhibit "designed to provide an introduction to some of the source works of the Reformation, the Reformed tradition, and the Presbyterian faith.”     

The Word "Presbyterian"
         The word "Presbyterian" comes from the Greek word presbyteros, which means "elder."  The Presbyterian Church is governed by elders, elected by congregations, and ministers working together at every level of the church government.
        Some branches of Christianity are named for beliefs or practices which have been singled out for special emphases.  Baptists emphasize "believer baptism," and Lutherans are named after the reformer, Martin Luther.  Congregationalists, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians are named for the type of church government they use.  Congregational churches come close to being a pure democracy as most decisions are made by the congregation as a whole.  Churches governed by an Episcopalian government structure give a great deal of power to bishops who do most of the decision making.  Presbyterian churches would fall between Congregational and Episcopalian, as they are more of a representative democracy.  Decisions are made by groups of elders along with ministers at every level of the church.
Being a governmental structure, rather than a belief system, there is not a set of doctrines or beliefs, other than the obvious one to qualify as being Christian, required to be a "Presbyterian".  Presbyterians come in all shapes and sizes with some being considered more conservative and some being considered more liberal, and the vast majority somewhere in the middle between the two extremes.
        Here are some words from the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that describe the role of the church:

         "The church universal consists of all persons in every nation, together with their children, who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and commit themselves to live in a fellowship under his rule."
         "Since this whole company cannot meet together in one place to worship and to serve, it is reasonable that it should be divided into particular congregations.  This particular church is, therefore, understood as a local expression of the universal Church."
         "Each particular church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) . . . shall fulfill its responsibilities as the local unit of mission for the service of all people, for the upbuilding of the whole church, and for the glory of God."

        As the local expression of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and of the Church universal, the First Presbyterian Church of Anaheim seeks to faithfully following the leadings of our Lord and Savior as it carries out its mission and ministry.