Vision
The Gospel is an announcement with power to change the world. St. Paul says “it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” Therefore, we believe that the Good News of Jesus Christ will have a significant impact in Park Slope and surrounding neighborhoods.
People
The Gospel changes people. We no longer take our identity from what others think of us or even what we think of ourselves, but from what God thinks of us in Christ (I Corinthians 4:3-4). This new identity removes any sense of inferiority (since we are beautiful in Christ) and superiority (since we are sinners standing only by grace). Instead, we are given a new reason for joy. We delight that our heavenly Father cares for and delights in us.
Families
Those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus are made into a new family, the church. This new family does not replace our natural families, but serves as a model family. Because we are brothers and sisters in Jesus, we are able to love and serve our natural families without using them and without fear of rejection. We are even capable of loving and forgiving family members who have mistreated us, because we have been recipients of God’s forgiveness. The Gospel heals broken relationships.
Churches
The gospel unites us with other Christians. The gospel breaks down all barriers (race, class, gender) and makes us one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). Therefore, we will celebrate what Christ is doing through other churches and ministries in the city. We will partner with them to learn from and serve one another (1 Corinthians 12:7), to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:5) and to demonstrate the reality of the gospel to the city (John 17:21).
Brooklyn
The gospel changes our attitude toward the city, making us a church that serves the people of Brooklyn. Because we have received every good thing in Jesus, we are free to give that which we have for the benefit of others. We have not come to use the people of Brooklyn for our own advantage, but to strive for the improvement of others. We will emphasize the strategic significance of the city as the place where culture is shaped. We will recognize the tremendous spiritual receptivity in cities. We will teach love and respect for the city. This church is being planted in, for, and with Park Slope. Christians should be the best citizens of the city.
Culture
The Gospel produces cultural renewal. First, all of our work matters to God. When the gospel clears out religiosity, which makes religion and church work an idol, then so called “secular” work is as valuable and God-honoring as Christian ministry. Second, God matters to all our work. That means the gospel enables Christians to work in their vocations both with excellence and Christian distinctiveness, thus transforming the culture in which we live from the inside out.
As you can see, Park Slope Presbyterian Church is committed to proclaiming the Gospel in everything we do. The test of our effectiveness will be threefold. First, are people trusting in Christ for the first time in their lives and are those who follow Christ growing in their commitment to him? Second, is our commitment to Christ visible to our friends and neighbors? Do the people in Park Slope and the surrounding neighborhoods know that we are here to glorify God by loving and serving them and would they miss this church if it were to “close its doors?” Third, is this congregation planting and nurturing other churches throughout Brooklyn? We will be most effective in changing Brooklyn with the Gospel when all three elements are present.
