Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the doctrinal standards of Trinity Church (PCA)?

    The Bible, God’s holy, infallible, and inerrant Word, is the ultimate authority in our church. The subordinate standard in our church that articulates our understanding of Scripture’s teaching is found in the Westminister Standards.

    The Westminster Confession of Faith

    The Westminster Larger Catechism - Part 1 & 2

    The Westminster Shorter Catechism

  • Do members have to believe everything in the Westminster Standards?

    No. The officers of the church (elders and deacons) must sincerely receive and adopt the system of doctrine set forth in the Westminister Standards, but members need only to believe in Jesus Christ as he is understood and set forth in the Apostles’ Creed.

  • What could I read to get a better sense of how Trinity's vision for ministry has emerged?

    There are many things we could point to that would give you a sense of how we approach our ministry in Winston-Salem and beyond, but perhaps the best place to start would be Tim Keller’s short book How to Reach the West Again.

  • What is the membership covenant of Trinity Church (PCA)?

    The membership covenant is like a doctrinal statement in that it summarizes the teaching of Scripture, but instead of articulating what we believe the Bible teaches about doctrine, it summarizes what is required of us in our life together as a local church.

    Members of Trinity Church (PCA) must take the following vows before the cogregation:

    1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?

    2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?

    3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

    4. Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

    5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

  • Do I have to join a home group to be a member?

    Our home groups are a vital component to our life together. They serve as the main way our elders divide up the congregation for pastoral care and oversight. Each elder oversees one or more groups. So if, for some reason, a person cannot participate in home group, they are still assigned a group to which they belong so both the members and elders are aware of their responsibility to care for you.