About

WORSHIP

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

– Psalm 95:6-7

What is worship?

In all Christian traditions--whether formal or informal--two core elements exist:

   Hearing from God--seeing anew what He is worth. The Scripture is read, heard, and proclaimed in a variety of ways.

   Giving to God--giving Him what He is worth. We give Him our sins, our substance, our praise, and our needs. We give Him our problems, our devotion, and our thanks.

Those pieces are meaningless, however, unless our affections are engaged.

Worship is setting the affections on God.

– Jonathan Edwards

Our affections are not merely emotions, but motives--the things that drive you, that you truly treasure. Because we were created for worship, when we do not worship God we worship other, finite things; we set our hearts on relationships, careers, money, accomplishments, approval, comfort, power, and control. We set our affections on idols, deriving our meaning and sense of self-worth from them. When we worship God, we pull our affections off these things and set them on God.

What Does Worship Look Like at Christ Presbyterian?

People who are growing in their affection for God by realizing His worth, enjoying His presence and honoring Him.

What is Christ Presbyterian's Vision for Worship?

   We want our worship to be a blessing to God Himself.

   We long to worship God with our minds, wills, and emotions to the end that our affections continually grow for Him.

   We long to be a people whose worship can't help but spill over into our entire week.

   We want God's Word to help us see God and become like Him.

   We want to pray together, with the expectation of seeing God work.

   We want to consistently pray for one another, growing in our love for each other.

   We are eager to see our children being drawn into worshiping God.

   We want to be a church that will encourage every person to bring their individual gifts to help us offer worship that blesses God.

   We want every part of our church to move us toward worship, so that we are always being led to the majesty and beauty of God.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

– John 4:23

REACHING OUT

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

– Matthew 25:40

What is Reaching Out?

It is showing God's love in practical ways to the people of Santa Barbara and beyond. It is also telling them of His love.

What Does Reaching Out Look Like at Christ Presbyterian?

People who are telling others of Christ's love. People who are demonstrating Christ's love to a skeptical world through our deeds of mercy and benevolence. We want to do this so well that we are a continual blessing to the people of Santa Barbara.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

– Ephesians 2:10

What is Christ Presbyterian's Vision for Reaching Out?

   We want to reach out to those who do not attend church by faithfully sharing our faith in Jesus with them. We'll do this well as we

   pray for the people of Santa Barbara, asking God to connect us with the people He is drawing to Himself.

   bring along our friends and neighbors to different events or ministries at Christ Presbyterian.

   We strive to reach out to those attending this church

   by trying to help them feel welcome and at ease from the moment they enter.

   by including everyone in our community life and ministries.

   by taking seriously our responsibility to love and foster the faith of our children so that they grow up loving Christ.

   We want to perform acts of mercy and benevolence, meeting the practical needs of those around us in Christ's name.

   We want to reach out to college students through Reformed University Fellowship.

   We want to reach out to people beyond Santa Barbara

   by aiding new church plants in our denomination.

   by supporting missionaries, particularly those from our church.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

– Matthew 28:16-20

DISCIPLESHIP

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

– Acts 2:42

What is Discipleship?

Simply put, discipleship is helping people to grow in their relationship with God.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself.

– Luke 10:27

What Does Discipleship Look Like At Christ Presbyterian?

The question continually before us is, How can we be available and helpful to each unique person who is part of our church family? While some of us have been Christians for many years, others have only recently come to trust Jesus, and yet others are just beginning to ask questions about God. We all need to grow. This is why we have a variety of Bible studies, classes and ministries.

What is Christ Presbyterian's Vision for Discipleship?

   To be a church that consistently demonstrates the Bible's relevance to our daily lives.

   To encourage each person to grow through Bible studies, prayer, classes, ministries and friendships.

   To encourage families, singles, couples and parents.

   To train and equip people to use their gifts to teach and nurture others.

   To train and equip our congregation to minister to one another in love.

   To help our children know and love God and grow in His grace.

   To encourage and equip our children, youth and adults to reach out to their friends who do not yet know Christ.

What are Christ Presbyterian's Avenues of Discipleship?

   Home Group Bible Studies (see below).

   Women's and Men's Bible Studies.

   Discipleship classes.

   Champions for children and Youth classes for junior and senior highers.

   Reformed University Fellowship.

   Our growing Music Ministry.

What are Home Group Bible Studies?

Home Groups are an informal group of people gathering in one another's homes in order to study the Bible inductively, to pray and to grow in love for each other. They exist to bring people into a mature relationship with God ("mature" meaning that our people are growing in grace; that they are feeding themselves from God's Word; and that they have deep fellowship with others).

Home Groups are a major source of discipleship at Christ Presbyterian Church.

Why Should I Get Involved in a Home Group?

Home Groups are the primary place at Christ Presbyterian to find the healing love, fellowship, support and accountability of the Body of Christ. By studying God's written word together we come to know God, ourselves and one another more fully. In these groups we serve – and are served – and develop deep friendships. We support one another by consistently praying for one another. Because of their foundational role in the life of our church, we hope that a great majority of people who attend Christ Presbyterian will be involved in Home Group Bible Studies.

How Do I Get Involved in a Home Group?

Home Groups at Christ Presbyterian meet on Sunday evenings and on weeknights at locations throughout Santa Barbara and Goleta. Please contact Will Frye if you're interested in joining a Home Group. [More information on homegroups...]

Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path...

– Psalm 27:11