Who are we & why are we here?
We began meeting in January 2017, and we held our first public worship service on Sunday, October 1, 2017.
We are here because Knoxville is a city longing for hope. It looks for hope in UT football, the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, a revitalized downtown, or simply in the goodness of people. Yet, while Knoxville is a beautiful city with beautiful people, Knoxville is restless. In fact, we are all restless, and we will be until we find our rest in God (cf. St. Augustine).
WE ALL NEED GOD
“My secret is that I need God—that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love.” ”
Knoxville needs God
A recent study found that less than 20% of people throughout Knox County are regularly connected to a gospel community. Therefore, not only does Knoxville need God, but it needs more churches proclaiming this message clearly and boldly, so that we might grow more in the image of Christ to live out new life in our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.
Mission & Vision
General Mission
Q. What is the chief end of man?*
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
As a church, our main purpose is to reach and equip image bearers of Godfor the glorious task of joyfully living before His face, and bringing all of lifeunder his reign. The goal is His glory, and as we seek his glory, we find ourpurpose.
To bring God glory involves many things, but Jesus himself says it is the greatest law: to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love God, Love Others.
If we lose sight of this, we have lost sight of our entire purpose. His glory is our main objective.
Our Particular Mission
RESURRECTION PRESBYTERIAN IS A CHURCH FOR KNOXVILLE, THAT SEEKS TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL FIRST THROUGH OURSELVES AND THEN to OTHERS BY WORD, DEED, AND LIFESTYLE.
Our Vision
Resurrection Presbyterian Church will seek to reach the unchurched in the area, as well as provide a new community and mission for those Christians looking to engage the gospel and the Kingdom in a new way. We desire to help build a great city for all people through a movement of the gospel that brings personal conversion & transformation, community formation, social justice, and cultural renewal. We want to see this church, as well, help strengthen the family, reach the disenfranchised, and bring about deeper engagement in theological and doctrinal truths among Christians in the area. Lastly, we want to be a church, that in due time, will plant other PCA churches throughout Knoxville and the surrounding region.
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“How is it possible that the gospel should be credible, that people should come to believe that the power which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross? I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it.” - Leslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society
Our Name
The resurrection of Jesus is of utmost importance biblically and is clearly theologically central in the Christian faith. So much so that the Apostle Paul says if it were not for the resurrection, then our faith would be in vain (I Cor. 15.12-21). One theologian said it like this: “What is the most characteristic word of the Christian religion? Suppose you were asked to single out one word to carry and convey the cardinal truth of the Gospel, what word would you choose? I suggest it would have to be the word Resurrection. That is what Christianity essentially is – a religion of Resurrection.” (James Stewart, professor of New College in Edinburgh). Not only is the resurrection of Jesus central in an overarching and communal way for the Christian faith, but it also has individual and practical implications in the lives of believers and in our world at large. Christ is making all things new, including us (John 11.25). This is resurrection.
Lastly, there are a number of other churches in our denominational and missional circles that also carry this name (i.e. Resurrection Madison, Resurrection Orange County).
Our Logo
The origin dates back to 1100 AD. The Huguenot Cross is replete with symbolism. The insignia consists of an open four-petal Lily of France,representative of the Mother Country of France. The four petals signify the Four Gospels. Each petal, or arm, has at its edge, two rounded points at the corners. These rounded points are regarded as signifying the Eight Beatitudes. The four petals are joined together by four fleur-de-lis, also reminiscent of the Mother Country of France. Each fleur-de-lis has has three petals. The twelve petals of the four fleur-de-lis signify the Twelve Apostles. An open space in the shape of heart is formed between each fleur-de-lis and the arms of the two petals with which it is joined. This shape -- a symbol of loyalty -- suggests the seal of the great French Reformer, John Calvin. A descending dove pendant representing the Saint Esprit or "Sainted Spirit" -- the guide and counselor of the Church -- is suspended from a ring of gold attached to the lower central petal. (The Huguenot Fellowship - Glenside, PA)