Christ Presbyterian Church started as a prayer group in 1994. Services started at the Carrillo Recreation Center and the church took residence in it’s current location in December of 2003. We believe that God has placed us in our unique downtown location so that we can be a faithful and present witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ here in heart of Santa Barbara. Because of what Jesus has done, we are committed to the flourishing of every aspect of the historical district—personal, familial, and civic.
We are committed to the flourishing of every aspect of the historical district—personal, familial, and civic.
GOD’S GOSPEL: We believe that the gospel, the good news about the gift of Jesus’ saving life, death, resurrection, ascension and present reign, is an explosive power that can transform any person, community, institution or place (Romans 1:16–17; Colossians 1:19–20).
GOD’S MISSION: We believe that God is personal, purposeful, and active. In other words, God is on a mission. The essence of God’s mission is to extend his loving, just, and peaceful reign through the gospel of Jesus Christ (Habakkuk 2:14). We participate in God’s mission by bearing witness to what God is doing in Santa Barbara and around the world (Genesis 12:1–3; Matthew 6:10; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).
GOD’S CREATION: We believe that God created a very good world (Genesis 1:32; 1 Tim 4:4–5), which humans—God’s magnum opus—are to care for, to develop, and to enjoy (Genesis 1:28; 2:15). Sin is an alien intruder, a parasite that sucks the life out of and distorts God’s intention for his world. Nevertheless, God has not given up on us and is passionately committed to redeeming the world he has made (Revelation 21:5).
God didn’t make junk, and He doesn’t junk what He made! –Al Wolters
Though our church is relatively new; it is not new in its beliefs and practices. We are part of the Great Tradition of historic Christianity, which is rooted in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and is summarized in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.
We are a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, a family of churches in the reformed tradition whose unifying beliefs are summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. We deeply value the collaboration, accountability, and visible expression of the gospel that comes through connection to other churches.
