The Great Ends of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
(From the Book of Order, G-1.0200)

1.  "The proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of humankind."
The chief goal or end of any Christian Church is to lead people to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
The reason for the proclamation of the Gospel is no less than the eternal salvation (or condemnation) of human souls.  If we really believe that Jesus is the Messiah/Savior then what could be more important than leading people to saving faith in him?
Perhaps the phrase, "the Church exists for those who are not yet a part of it", best gives expression to the first great end of the Church.

2.  "The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God."

The Church is also a place that nurtures those who are exploring their faith and those who come to saving faith in Jesus.  Besides worship, we provide for Bible Studies on Monday evenings, potluck the first Wednesday of every month, and many other fellowship opportunities. The book of Hebrews exhorts us to "encourage one another daily."  We need the fellowship of other believers to encourage us, praise God as the Body of Christ, and to hold one another accountable to the faith that we profess.

3.  "The maintenance of divine worship."

Our Sunday worship service is the main thrust of our call to provide for worship opportunities.
As the people of God we come together on Sunday morning for the primary purpose of encountering the Living God through divine worship.  This act of worship is central to the life of the Church.

4.  "The preservation of the truth."

As Christians, we believe that there is such a thing as "truth".   It is true, we may not be able to always discern what the "truth"  is in every given situation in life.  However, our inability to properly discern or know the truth does not negate the fact of objective truth.  There is right and wrong......good and evil.  There is heaven and there is hell.  The truth in essence, IS Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father.
As followers of Jesus Christ we look to the Holy Scriptures contained in the Bible to help us discern the truth.  Our church is not guided by mere human opinion whether it be from the elders of the church or from the pastor.   The truth of the Bible is to guide our corporate and personal lives.

5.  "The promotion of social righteousness."

The Church does not exist in a vacuum.  We must never turn a blind eye to injustice or oppression whether those suffering are Christians or not.  The Church is not to "mind its own business" or "keep its place."   The kingdom of God begins here and now.  We believe that God is outraged at oppression and injustice.....we rightly should and must share in that outrage.  Mere words make for a hollow faith.  Word must be accompanied by deed.

6.  "The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world."

We are called to live in the world but not be a part of it.  We are to demonstrate our lives in Christ Jesus by what we say and what we do.
 

Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah
The Christian Church is NOT the Church without a centrality and focus upon Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and Savior.  The corporate and individual life of the Church is based upon who Jesus is and who we have become because of him.

Repentance
True Biblical repentance is not a matter of saying, "Oops, sorry I did that....I mean, I'm sorry I got caught."  Our understanding of true repentance comes from the Greek word (metanoia), which means, "to change one's way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness." (Louw & Nida)
Repentance is a very guttural, heart felt event in one's life.  It leads not only to regret, but to change in one's life.
Romans 2:4 tells us, "Do you fail to understand that God is kind because he wants to lead you to repent?"  Repentance is NOT a threat to "self-esteem", but a pathway to forgiveness and healing.  True Biblical repentance is a gift from God.  We believe that if a person does not recognize his/her need for repentance, they make a hollow sham of the Cross of Christ.
When Jesus began his public ministry he announce it by declaring, "The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!"
Repentance is the doorway we walk through in order to enter into God's love, grace, and forgiveness.

Salvation
As people of the Reformed tradition we believe that one is not saved through good works or mere church membership.  We believe that one is saved by the grace of Jesus Christ through faith.  Salvation lies no where else but in Christ Jesus in whose name all must come for eternal life.