At Briarwood, our doctrine, values, and worship are grounded in the written Word of God and the historic Reformed faith. Here is what we believe and why.
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God's truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God's displeasure, except by His mercy.
We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people, not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God's people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
God's Word that is Truth: infallible, inerrant and sufficient.
The Gospel of Grace that is the foundation, formation and motivation of the Christian life.
Authentic worship that exalts God, encourages His people and attracts seekers to Christ as Lord and Savior.
Faithful preaching and teaching of God's Word supported by committed personal Bible study.
Every member seeking to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples through:
Leadership development that mentors and matures leaders who shepherd the "flock of God."
Intentional evangelism that winsomely communicates the Gospel through personal training and church-wide events.
Dynamic discipleship through life-on-life relationships in small groups.
Intercessory prayer that is consistent, systematic and focused, serving God's purpose by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The biblical term "covenant" describes a Christian's sacred relationships with the Triune God, His Church and one another. At Briarwood, these loving relationships characterize how we learn, live and serve.
The Bible is clear about the primacy of the teaching and preaching of God's Word in the exaltation of our Lord, the building up of the Church, and the extending of His Kingdom. At Briarwood, a commitment to equipping the saints, in accordance with Holy Scripture, serves as a foundational ministry principle, "that in all things Christ might have the preeminence" (Col 1:18).
Each Sunday morning and evening afford an opportunity to benefit from the faithful preaching of Scripture as our Pastor presents in-depth and relevant studies in the books of the Bible, together with practical application for the daily Christian walk.
Briarwood seeks to be Scriptural in both its government and its doctrine. The form of church government we hold to is called "Presbyterian" — the local church is governed by elders elected by the congregation. There are teaching elders who minister the Word and ruling elders who shepherd the flock, together with deacons who serve alongside them in the ministry of the church.
Together, we seek to "bless the Lord" in His house through corporate worship. Services at Briarwood include a blend of music styles from the time-honored hymns of the faith to contemporary choruses. The objective of worship at Briarwood is to exalt God as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, offering music and worship with an excellence that would bring honor to His holy name.
Briarwood is committed to taking the gospel to our community, our nation and our world. In addition to financial partnership with some 225 missionaries under some 60 mission agencies, our World Missions effort keeps our congregation informed and equips those called to personal participation in missions.
Our thankful response to God's invitation to know Him is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, to abide in Him and to share this life with others. Relationships built in Sunday School and small groups are open doors to learning and sharing so that each may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Since its inception, Briarwood has promoted the involvement of its membership in Sunday School Communities, small groups and corporate worship. These communities provide a regular fellowship home where meaningful friendships, spiritual growth, and ministry opportunities are created.
Because the church is a people and not a building, the involvement of its members in the life and work of this body is vital. Each of the more than 120 ministries at Briarwood has specific needs for leaders and volunteers, so that there is both a place and a role for each member and his or her gifts.
For God’s glory, Briarwood is committed to equipping Christians to worship God and reach Birmingham to reach the world for Christ. To fulfill our mission in the new millennium, Briarwood desires to be an “Equipping Church” which radiates the Gospel of grace by “making disciples” through:
These Gospel tremors from the epicenter of Briarwood would then result in a prayerful and strategic extension of the Kingdom of God:
The leadership of Briarwood is committed to implementing a biblical “fitness plan” designed to produce “healthy” Christians and families who are “growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ,” resulting in a church that is W.E.L.L.
As Briarwood members and families commit themselves biblically and prayerfully to a relationship with their Savior, entrusting themselves, their resources and gifts to a Faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19), we will glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Reformed worship is God-centered and governed by the biblical guidelines given to us through Scripture alone. We seek to be connected to the best of the past without becoming idolatrous of it — traditional, not traditionalism — contextualized in the present without letting popular culture dictate our approach, and establishing worship that sets a standard for the future.
Briarwood Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
The birth date of the Presbyterian Church in America is December 4, 1973, but our spiritual roots are in the Protestant Reformation. We came into existence because we strongly believed there was the need for a scriptural, evangelical and Reformed witness for Christ, and we wanted to be part of a denomination that honors God and His Word.
The new denomination began with 250 congregations and 50,000 members. Of the numerous Presbyterian denominations in North America, the PCA is among the fastest growing.
Our Church seeks to be scriptural in both its government and its doctrine. Local churches are governed by "presbyters," or elders, elected by the people — teaching elders (pastors) and ruling elders (ordained laymen). The elders sit in a "session" that oversees the faith and life of the local congregation, while representatives form the "presbytery" and the "General Assembly."
Just as "Presbyterian" refers to our form of government, "Reformed" denotes our doctrinal beliefs. We stand in the ancient heritage of true-to-the-Bible theology, finding the purest expressions of scriptural doctrine in the Westminster Confession of Faith with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
We sincerely desire to spread the Gospel to every land, to make disciples and teach them the faith once for all delivered by God to His Church. We are "conservative," but not old fashioned — we hold to the faith of the Bible and of our fathers, but strive to proclaim God's Truth as imaginatively and creatively as possible: starting new churches, training leaders, sending missionaries, and guiding families to a closer walk with the living God.
The PCA Foundation facilitates generosity to advance God's Kingdom and helps donors give a variety of assets to do this and alleviate their tax burden. Visit pcafoundation.com to learn more.
