PCUSA/Matthew 25

Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church (WPPC) is a member of The Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUSA). The PCUSA began in 1983 with the reunion of the southern Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) and the northern United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. They had been separated for over 120 years. PCUSA is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the US and is known for its progressive stance on doctrine and the ordaining of women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community as deacons, elders, and ministers. WPPC describes itself as “an open and accepting community.”

PCUSA is governed by its Constitution, The Book of Confessions, and the Book of Order. The Confession of Belhar, a confession growing out of apartheid-era South Africa, was added to The Book of Confessions at the 222nd General Assembly (2016) in Portland, Oregon.

PCUSA is distinctly a confessional and connectional church, distinguished by the representation of elders in its government. The church has a membership of 1.6 million in all 50 states and Puerto Rico with nearly 10 thousand congregations and worshiping communities.

The Matthew 25 Initiative was developed during the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) of the PCUSA. Its focus is to take “our living faith into our communities and the world” as we follow Jesus’ instruction “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

WPPC committed to becoming a Matthew 25 church in 2022.