Our Denominational Affiliation

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Christ Presbyterian Church is a member of the CREC - Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches. 
Within the CREC are seven Presbyteries and Christ Presbyterian Church is a member of the Athanasius Presbytery.

A Note on the word "Communion" in our denomination's name

At the 2011 CREC Church Council, the CREC voted to change the name of the CREC from the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches to the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches.

The change came about after a deliberative process within our confederation driven by a concern that in parts of the United States the use of the word “Confederation” in our name could be misconstrued to imply certain cultural connotations that were never intended by our founders or by any of our churches. Thus to remove any wrong connotations that would hinder our mission to all portions of our country, it was determined that we change the word “Confederation” to “Communion.”

The term “Communion” was chosen due to its confessional context. In the Apostles’ Creed we confess “I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints…” It is in this context we use the “Communion” within our name.

To further elucidate our intention in the selection of “Communion” we would reference the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 26, entitled, “Of the Communion of Saints”, wherein we read in paragraphs one and two:

"All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

"Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus."

As those who are brought into union with our Lord Jesus Christ, by the sovereign work of His Spirit and His grace, we are brought into communion with all those likewise united to the sovereign and gracious Head of the One holy and apostolic Church, Christ the Lord.

The preamble to the CREC constitution communicates this well:
“Our gathering of churches is not intended as a separation from other orthodox believers who confess the name of Christ, but rather as a gathering within that broader church, in order to work together effectively for reformation.”

As to the specificity within our confederation of churches, again the preamble states it succulently:
“...we intend to form a broad connection between churches which, with respect to polity, is representative, being neither hierarchical nor autonomous.”