We Believe

Glendale Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation.

Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, is rooted in the teachings of the reformer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him. Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith, and the priesthood of all believers.

What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone's job — ministers and lay people alike — to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, all genders alike.

For more information about what makes Presbyterians unique, click here.

Commitment to Transgender People

Grounded in our national body’s faith-based support of LGBTQIA+ people, and particularly its affirmation of a commitment to “the full welcome, acceptance, and inclusion of transgender people,” we are led at this time to publicly proclaim our support of transgender children and our commitment to protect, believe, and love them, especially at this time when they are under intensified attacks upon their ability to receive needed health care and participate fully in school activities. Indeed, their very right to exist as who they are is being challenged. Therefore, we commit ourselves to pay attention to what is happening to transgender children, to help others be aware of what is happening, and to do what we can to continue to protect these children as children of God.

Affirming Reproductive Justice

At the meeting of the 225th General Assembly of the PC(USA), the body voted 348-38 to approve the resolution HSB-11 On Affirming Reproductive Justice. The GPC session passed a motion to affirm and concur with the action of the 225th GA. We are proud to stand with and publicly state that we trust women!

Here is the full text of HSB-11:

1. In appreciation of the complexity and seriousness of issues concerning abortion, we affirm that women and pregnant people are full moral agents, created in the image of God. Recognizing that God alone is Lord of the conscience, we support their moral capacity to decide whether to continue or end any given pregnancy.

2. Denounce attempts to prevent people from receiving essential healthcare, particularly when it results in forced pregnancy and the violation of bodily autonomy.

3. Reject attempts at all levels of government to reduce, limit, or eliminate access to contraceptive and abortion care.

4. Affirm the principles of the Reproductive Justice Movement to support the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy to have children, to not have children, and to parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities, in recognition that Christian moral and ethical concerns about abortion should be considered within broader conversations about human sexuality, fertility, reproduction, contraceptives, and parenting.

5. Clearly and publicly make known the PC(USA)’s consistent support of access to contraceptive and abortion care and our commitment to respect the moral agency of all God’s people.

6. Direct Presbyterian Mission Agency, in connection with Advocacy Committee on Women's Concerns, to create a theological reflection to guide the church on the issue.

7. Urge the Board of Pensions to continue to develop the policies and practices that will ensure that plan members are able to access reproductive health care, access to contraceptives and abortion, equitably, no matter the state they live in.