Mission & Vision
First Presbyterian Church of Davenport is an inclusive, caring community of faith committed to loving God, loving neighbor as self, and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all people through worship, fellowship, and service. Presbyterian Church, USAPresbytery of East IowaOur Mission & Vision
The mission of First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, Iowa, is to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Our vision is to be a beacon of worship, affirmation, learning and spiritual growth.
Our Mission Means We
- Reach out to those not presently part of a Christian community
- Promote peace, justice and human dignity
- Offer ourselves in faithful and loving service to God and to all people
- Deepen our faith and discipleship through worship, study, prayer, stewardship, service and all means of grace.
Our Vision is to Be a Beacon
- Worshipping God through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ, the sacraments, prayer, and joyful song
- Affirming an inclusive faith community rooted in our Presbyterian beliefs and biblical understanding
- Learning and growing spiritually in life-long discipleship
- Serving one another, the community and the world with imagination, enthusiasm and love.
Where Presbyterians Fit into the Protestant Tradition
Part of the Historic Reformed tradition
First Presbyterian Church is part of a denomination of the historic Reformed tradition. Presbyterians understand the Bible to be the essential rule of faith and practice, very much as other Protestants do. They believe that God exists in the trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that Christ is the Son of God, the Revealer of God, and the Savior of humanity; and that the church is the Body of Christ in the world. Education is stressed by Presbyterians – both for the ministry and the laity. Presbyterians believe that the Holy Spirit constantly enlightens truth, and thus they admit different understandings of the historical confessions of faith. Ultimately, every Presbyterian must find a personal understanding of faith through study, contemplation, and worship.
Active Participation in Ministry and Worship
Presbyterians emphasize active participation in ministry and worship for all members. The real ministry belongs to the membership of the church, not a special group of clergy set apart from the rest. Presbyterians follow a stated, although not strict, liturgy in services of worship.
Thoughtful reading and interpretation of scriptures and prayer are the essentials of worship. The liturgy is designed to include the entire congregation in worship — just as ministry includes all members.
A very important principle is that
“God alone is Lord of the conscience.”