LVHPC Beliefs

We believe in a big tent Christianity where Christ is our center and goal, the Holy Spirit is our guide, and the great cloud of witnesses is our companion on the journey. We believe this brings glory to the God in whom we live and move and have our being. 

Our church community is made up of people from many different Christian backgrounds. We have Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, Charismatics, Baptists, and Non-Denominational folks who all call LVHPC their church home. Together, we're focused on following Jesus daily, growing together as a church, and sharing God's love with our neighbors. 

We're not afraid of big questions, and we believe faith and doubt are normal parts of Christian faith. 

We believe the church only has one story to tell, and that is the story of Jesus. Together with the historic and global church, we believe two ancient creeds--the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed--tell the story of God's love made known in Jesus Christ. 

Our congregation is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Regionally, we are part of the Presbytery of San Gabriel. 

Our Presbyterian heritage means we are a confessional church. We believe there are times when the church needs to declare what it believes as a result of studying and praying the Bible. While we do not believe these confessions always get everything right, we do believe they serve as a helpful guide for individuals and churches as they seek to be faithful to Jesus. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), these confessions are gathered together in our Book of Confessions. 

The following are the confessions currently found in the Book of Confessions. Each was born in a certain time and place as a response to particular questions. Together, they offer a dynamic witness to the voice of the larger church through history and across cultures. 

ECUMENICAL CONFESSIONS

   Nicene Creed

   Apostles' Creed

REFORMATION CONFESSIONS

   The Scots Confession

   The Heidelberg Catechism

   The Second Helvetic Confession

   The Westminster Confession of Faith

      The Larger Catechism 

      The Shorter Catechism

CONTEMPORARY CONFESSIONS

   The Theological Declaration of Barmen

   The Confession of 1967

   The Confession of Belhar

   A Brief Statement of Faith - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Theology is sometimes defined as Christian faith seeking understanding. The confessions can be thought of as Christian faith seeking practical expression in a particular time and place.