In the wake of the recent revisions that have been made to the constitution of the PC(USA), the Presbyterian denomination to which we are affiliate, and in order to lead the congregation through these times of change, ZPC’s session has sought to understand the core beliefs and principles that marked our congregation’s foundation. To do this we looked to statements and affirmations adopted by previous sessions. 

The following core beliefs were used as the cornerstone for decisions in our past:

• We believe that Jesus Christ alone is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is before all things, the king of creation, the one Lord over the church and the only way to the Father.
• We believe that the Bible is God’s word, is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is the uniquely authoritative revelation of truth about God, his Son Jesus, our own spiritual condition, and the new life to which God calls us.
• We believe the church is the body of Jesus Christ on earth. It is the worldwide fellowship of his disciples, gathered into local congregations, among whom God is glorified, over whom God rules, and through whom God makes himself known. 
• God calls us to holiness in every aspect of life. We affirm Scripture’s teaching that sexuality is God’s good gift, and that God has called us either to fidelity in a covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, or to chastity in singleness. 
• Gracious welcome and friendship will be extended to every person with whom we come into contact—both in the building of ZPC and outside the building. 
• We uphold that new and everlasting life in Christ is available to anyone by grace through faith. 
• “Living from the inside out” discipleship (bringing in, building up, sending out—now known as Worship, Word, and World) is our focus at ZPC for the purpose of helping to expand the Kingdom of God. 
• We affirm the value of being connected with other church bodies for the purposes of accountability, missions and resources. 
• The Six Marks of a Disciple are aspects in which a disciple grows toward maturity. 
• All life is a gift of God and therefore sacred. We are called to be God's beloved children, each created in God's image. All are to be welcomed in friendship and invited into discipleship that we might serve Jesus Christ in faithfulness, as recipients of God's grace and love.
• While upholding historical and biblical standards of sexual conduct and other positions, ZPC will need to work equally hard to obey God’s crystal clear commands to offer love, prayer, support, and friendship to gay men and women—things that have been tragically missing in the church’s response throughout history.
• It was “while we were yet sinners” that Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We must seek to communicate the truths of Scripture while showing respect for others’ positions and demonstrating his unconditional, gracious love that reaches out to all and invites them to turn to him. As Creator of all, he faithfully seeks to draw individuals back to himself (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 15:11-32; Psalms 80).

After Scriptural study, review of previous reports and session statements and much prayer and discussion, the current session affirms the above statements of faith. We stand by the traditional interpretation of scripture and affirm the stance that ZPC and its leadership has taken historically in regard to our core beliefs. To that end, we feel that it is in ZPC’s best interest to bring the following to the congregation for a vote in February:

Proposed amendment to the by-laws of Zionsville Presbyterian Church:

“It is the policy of Zionsville Presbyterian Church that each teaching elder, ruling elder, and deacon serving in pastoral relationships or as officers of the church shall adhere to biblical standards of personal sexual behavior, including sexual fidelity within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and chastity in singleness.”

Your input is valuable to us. More detailed information on this issue along with our plan and timeline for discerning ZPC’s future will be made available in January, as well as many opportunities for you to ask questions and speak into the process. We believe God is at work here in an amazing way, and has great plans for ZPC. We look forward to the new year with faith and excitement.

In the meantime, we are praying for an Advent season that brings peace and hope to our family of faith as we celebrate the miracle of our Savior’s birth. 

With Love, 

The Session of Zionsville Presbyterian Church

Don Armstrong, Jack Ellett, Bob Bierwagen, Randy Laffoon, Ava Memmen, Sharon Pierce, Stan Soderstrom,
Bruce Thompson, Kathy Wilson, Steve Wright; the Revs. Jim Capps, Scott Shelton, and Pat Smith; and
Executive Director Don Paterson 

along with incoming (2012) elders: Jeff Colton, Kevin Schmidt, and Liz Todd