What kind of a church is Stonebridge?

We are an Evangelical, Reformed, Presbyterian congregation that is committed to winsomely living out & sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ here in Perrysburg & metropolitan Toledo.

What are the core values of Stonebridge Church?

The core values of our church can be summarized in four words: Gospel, Covenant, Worship, and Mission. [More]

What should I expect when I come to worship?

You should expect to find people who love Jesus & who joyfully come to worship Him together through prayer, singing, & the Word. Our worship service follows a traditional Presbyterian model (see below), but with the relaxed, family atmosphere that marks out one of the best aspects of a healthy small church.

What does the worship service look like, and what does it all mean?

Our order of worship is essentially a traditional Presbyterian one. But “traditional’ doesn’t mean “stiff” or “boring.” If you would like to read about what we do & what it means, you can go here [make “here” a link] & find a step by step description.

Why does the pastor wear a robe?

That’s a good question! To find the answer to that question, as well as a few other potentially interesting tidbits, just click right [here].

Speaking of which, how does everyone else dress at Stonebridge?

When you come to worship with us you’ll find that people dress in a variety of ways. The range runs from ‘Sunday best’ to business casual to relaxed jeans & shorts. Dress however you feel comfortable. The important thing is to come & worship the Lord, not to worry about how you’re dressed!

Is there stuff for my children?

Yes! We have a nursery for the little tykes, and a Sunday School program for toddlers on up through High School. Being a small church, we have a lot of personal relationship-building and focused attention on the kids in a family environment. And being excited about Jesus & the Word of God, we use an excellent curriculum (from Great Commission Publications) and seek to communicate a passion for Christ to all the kids at Stonebridge. We are committed to helping parents to train their kids up to love the Lord.

What is the denominational affiliation of Stonebridge Church?

Stonebridge Church is a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, often known by its initials, the EPC. If you’d like to know more about the EPC, you can see the denominational website or read this (slightly dated) article from the Wikipedia.

What does it mean to be Evangelical?

When we say that we are "Evangelical,” we mean that we believe in the importance of sharing the Gospel (in Greek: "evangel," or "Good News") that through Jesus Christ the kingdom of God has been inaugurated, freeing people from the guilt and power of sin through personal faith and repentance. In our denomination, the EPC, we express this priority on evangelism by stating in our governing documents that we believe that, in terms of its work, evangelism the first and preeminent duty of the church.

What does it mean to be Reformed?

The question of what it means to be Reformed is one that often arises. Is it essentially a theological term? Is it more of a worldview thing? Is it a codeword for being a Calvinist? Or is it just another way of saying 'Presbyterian?' [More]

What does it mean to be Presbyterian?

This is a reference to our form of government, which we believe is clearly found in Scripture. In essence, to be Presbyterian in government means that our churches are governed by elders… [More]

What is the EPC motto, and what does it mean?

The Motto of the EPC is "In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty; In All Things, Charity; Truth In Love." It comes from St. Augustine of Hippo (d. AD430), who was the bishop of a city in what is now Algeria. Functionally, the way the motto works out in the EPC is a sort of three-tiered approach to theological issues. These may be thought of as "A," "B," and "C" issues. [More]

Has your denomination taken positions on social or theological issues?

Yes. The General Assembly of the EPC has a number of position papers & pastoral letters which are intended to offer thoughtful, Biblical guidance on a variety of topics. [More]

How can I join Stonebridge Church?

Persons desiring to join Stonebridge Church can do so by informing the pastor or one of the elders of their desire to do so. We will arrange for such persons to attend a membership class, after which we ask that prospective members meet with the elders to share with them: a) how they came to faith in Jesus, b) how they’ve seen God at work in their lives since coming to know Him, c) how they would like to serve the Lord alongside of the rest of the congregation, & d) how the elders, deacons, & members can serve and encourage them. After meeting with the session (elders), we will have a brief ceremony during the worship service in which prospective members will be formally received into the congregation.