Continous Discipleship - Christ is Head of the Church

Prayer: We prayer to you, God, that our focus in your church is constantly on Jesus Christ. We confess that we want to accept and assign power that is not ours to receive or give. We are grateful for the church that provides a place to try on our purpose in you. Please be with us as we take our clumsy steps to follow you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

God put this power to work in Christ
    when he raised him from the dead and
        seated him at his right hand in the heavenly
           places,

far above
          all rule and
                      authority and
                                  power and
                                              dominion, and
above every name that is named
         not only in this age but also in the age to come.

And he has put all things under his feet and
         has made him the head over all things for the
            church,
               which is his body,
                  the fullness of him who fills all in all.
                                                         Ephesians 1:20-23

Have you ever had a chance to visit a cathedral? This is not a common architecture for Presbyterian churches. But if you look at the floor plan of a cathedral, you can see that it is in the shape of a cross. One could hardly imagine a more appropriate symbol – Christ is the head of the church, the church is the body of Christ. But even of we don’t have a church building in the shape of a cross as a constant reminder of who leads our church, we must constant remember.

All power in heaven and earth
is given to Jesus Christ
by Almighty God,

who raised Christ from the dead and
set him above all rule and authority,
all power and dominion,
and every name that is named,
not only in this age
but also in that which is to come.

God has put all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ
     and has made Christ Head of the Church,     
          which is his body.
                                        Book of Order  G-1.0100a

The leaders the each congregation calls and elects as ministers, elders and deacons and commissioned as certified educators and lay pastors are asked Constitutional Question beginning with: “Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Prayer: All powerful God who calls the church into being, guide us to perceive your authority and humble us to your mystery. Amen.