Our Beliefs & Priorites
The word "Presbyterian" comes from the Greek word for "elder" ("presbuteros"). Rather than being led by a single person, we're guided by a group of men and women called by God and approved by our congregation to serve as elders.
We're part of a larger network of churches called a "presbytery"—these are Presbyterian churches we partner with for encouragement, support, accountability, and prayer. Together, we belong to the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO Presbyterian).
We affirm the historic confessions of the Christian faith and uphold both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed as clear and trustworthy declarations of core Christian belief. By affirming these creeds, we stand in continuity with the historic Church and confess together the essential truths that unite all Christians.
Our Core Beliefs
As an ECO Presbyterian church, our beliefs are grounded in God's Word and can be summarized by the five "solas" of the Reformation:
- Scripture Alone is our ultimate authority for faith and life
- Faith Alone in Jesus Christ, not good works, is what saves us
- Grace Alone saves us as God's free gift
- Christ Alone is our mediator with God and our only salvation
- Glory to God Alone—only God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) deserves our praise
Priorities
While many think of a "church" as a building or organization, we're really about people. At our heart, we are a Christ-centered family on a mission to love God, love people, and make disciples. We're proud of our history and grateful for our building, but what truly matters is worshipping God today, loving each other like family, and staying committed to the mission God has given us. Bonhomme is one local expression of Christ's body in the world. We value other churches and gladly partner with them in work that puts Christ first. At Bonhomme, everyone is welcome—we strive to reflect Christ by extending grace, love, and an invitation to become part of our family.
We partner with a variety of Mission Partners in the St. Louis area and around the world, but we also join them for activities! On any given week, you’ll find Covenant Partners (that’s what we call church members) serving alongside our mission partners.