Stonegate Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Cumberland Presbyterians believe God “calls” us to be followers of Jesus Christ and also can “call” us to various forms of work and service so we can live out our discipleship in the world. Just as Jesus called people to follow him during his life, so Christ continues to call us to have faith in Him and commit our lives to His service. We can live out our Christian calling by the kinds of work and

service we do during our lives. Our professions or our jobs are ways by which we serve God. Our service in our homes, our communities, and to others are callings through which God is glorified. When we recognize that we can serve God through who we are and what we do, every day can be exciting! Our work can serve good purposes-God’s purposes-in society. Every Christian can be the person God calls us to be. We can use our time, talents, and abilities in the work we do and the relationships we establish to be followers of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants us to do with our lives. (The Cumberland Presbyterian Handbook (Memphis: Ministry Council, 2009). Cumberland Presbyterians recognize that the church is the people of God who serve God in this world through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that God created the church for special purposes:

- To be a community of love.
- To proclaim the gospel through worship and the sacraments.
- To reach out to those who have not experienced God’s grace in Christ.
- To enable deeds of service and mercy in the world.
- To minister to the needs of persons and promote social righteousness.