The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a Protestant denomination rooted in the Reformed Theology of John Calvin. Calvin’s theology is often misunderstood as being exclusionary and elitist because of his emphasis on the salvation of “the elect.” In fact, Calvin’s theology centers on the GRACE of God, meaning that we get God’s love and gifts without doing anything to earn it or deserve it. Nothing we do (or don’t do) could cause God to stop loving us. God is eternally waiting with open arms, eager to welcome us home.
Okay, but what does that mean?
The PC(USA) is a progressive denomination, embracing a broad view of God’s love, inclusion, and desire for justice to be done in our world. We have a strong sense of social responsibility and a tradition of civic engagement. Fun fact: the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence was a Presbyterian.
We are an Open and Affirming denomination, meaning we welcome and celebrate all gender identities and sexualities. Though we are a denomination with roots in the Scottish Reformation, we are committed to racial justice and fostering cultures of anti-racism in our churches. We also have a deep commitment to environmental justice, and we support and advocate for populations that are most at risk from climate change.
