Our Mission Statement

      Called together by our common heritage and the Reformed tradition of the

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship

seeks to glorify God in worship, witness, mission, study and fellowship.  

We hold as central the transforming power of God's reconciling love revealed in

the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We affirm the worth of all people

and nurture each individual's spiritual journey and call to service.  As agents of

God's reconciliation, we joyfully live and work in the church and in the world for

peace and justice and to spread the good news of God in Christ.  

                                                                                                    Adopted November 30, 2003

                                                                                                    Amended February 9, 2004

      As new friends visit us and become acquainted with Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian

Fellowship, they will learn that we take seriously our Mission Statement as we try to express

it in our common life together as a Fellowship and in our individual Christian lives.  

Consequently, certain expressions of our mission will very likely be evident to all who visit

and worship with us.  

For example:

• The order of our worship follows a traditional Presbyterian pattern.  We trust that

         Presbyterians from elsewhere in the denomination will feel right at home when they

         join us for worship.  

• Preaching is ordered by the lectionary discipline of biblical study.  One or more of             

         of the texts for the day form the biblical basis for the sermon.  

• The indescribable nature of God is not limited in our worship liturgy by the exclusive           

         reference to God by a specific gender.  Thus we affirm the declaration of

         A Brief Statement of Faith from The Book of Confessions, "Like a mother who

         will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal

         home, God is faithful still."

• Communion is regarded as an integral and normal element in Christian worship,  

         and is celebrated each time we worship.  Both wine and grape juice are available

         to those who receive the elements.  

• Mission is central to our Fellowship.  Our budget structure is unique, in part because

         the clergy in our Fellowship donate their professional services.  Therefore, we have 

         the exciting opportunity and responsibility to direct the majority of our resources toward

         mission projects.  At the moment, 70% of our budget is dedicated to mission giving.  

• We are committed to diversity and inclusiveness as mandated by the Book of Order.  

          "The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall give full expression to the rich diversity

          within its membership and shall provide means which will assure a greater

          inclusiveness leading to wholeness in its emerging life." (G-4.0403)  We believe such

          Christian wholeness is the desire of Christ for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and

          we are dedicated to seek and practice that wholeness in our worship and service

          together as a Fellowship.