What We Believe & Teach
Our Core Values
Our beliefs are based on the teaching of the Bible as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith, the theological standard of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, of which Highlands is a member.
God has created us to exalt Him through worship.
We are created in God’s image to joyfully worship Him in spirit and truth so that we may bring glory and honor to His name.
(Romans 15:6; Genesis 1:27; Psalm 100; John 4:24; Ephesians 5:19)
The Bible is the inspired word of God.
The Bible as expressed in the Old & New Testaments is the only rule God has given to direct us in the knowledge of Him and is useful for teaching, correcting, and training for every aspect of life today.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-11; Matthew 5:17-18; Hebrews 4:12)
Jesus Christ is the only way we as sinners, receive salvation.
We as sinners stand condemned before God. It is through faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by our good works that we are forgiven of our sins, made right with God, and receive salvation.
(Titus 3:5; Romans 3:23; John 14:6; John 3:16-18; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9)
We as the body of Christ are united to one another in love.
From many backgrounds, we are called in Christ to be united as one body expressing our love by being patient, kind, and forgiving. We strive with God’s help to live in peace with each other so that with one heart and one voice we may glorify God.
(Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Peter 1:5-7; John 15:12-13; 1 John 4:11-12)
Believers are called to use their gifts in service & ministry.
Believers are given particular gifts by God and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to use those gifts to accomplish His purpose through good works which God prepared in advance for them to do. As believers use their gifts they demonstrate the love of Christ to each other and to the world.
(Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 2:10)
God calls us to share the love of Christ.
God has given us the responsibility and privilege to express the good news of Jesus Christ in our community and throughout the world. Our desire is that others will share in the same grace, mercy, and love all believers enjoy.
(Romans 1:1-14; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; John 20:21)
God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Since God loves us as a good father loves his children we can come boldly to Him in prayer knowing that He hears us and delights in answering our prayers in accordance with His Word. Through our prayers we offer praise, gratitude, confession, and requests for our daily needs as well as the needs of others so that God’s will is accomplished in and through the lives of His people.
(Philippians 4:6; Luke 11:9-13; Matthew 6:6-13; James 5:13-18; John 15:7; Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 16:23-24)
Our Vision
We want people to join with us at Highlands Presbyterian Church as we together seek to experience God’s amazing love, learn about and be illuminated by His Word, and rejoice in the saving power of Christ in our daily lives. Our goal is to teach the whole counsel of God as reflected in Scriptures as we attempt to connect with the community in which God has placed us.
We reinforce each other with our values of Faith, Family, Fellowship, & Friendship where every member, young and old, is encouraged to become zestfully engaged in God’s ministry. We will strive to give our excellence to God, not our mediocrity.
We welcome everyone the Lord brings to worship with us here at Highlands. Whether sharing a handshake or a hug, a meal or a fast, laughing or crying, we are a close knit, supportive, and faithful family in Christ.
We are guided by the Word, sustained by the sacraments, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We strive with God’s help, to strengthen and transform our congregation to be enlightened missionaries so that we might glorify God in actions and attitudes that demonstrate to the world the love revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We will continually pray for guidance that the vision we follow is from God.
Our Denomination
Highlands is a part of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. This conservative, evangelical family of believers holds to the timeless truths revealed in the Holy Scriptures by a loving God who desires a personal relationship with His people.
Bonclarken is the conference grounds of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Nestled in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, this setting provides a unique place to come and rest, and refresh and refill your faith. Many conferences and activities are held to build and bolster one’s faith. Highlands participates in many of the Youth retreats and holds a Highlands Family Retreat at Bonclarken each year.