Who We Are

Our Mission
Our Governance
Our History
Membership
Basic Beliefs
Core Values

Our Mission

Valley Springs Presbyterian Church is an intergenerational community of grace, learning to love God, and serve our world, together.

The Presbyterian Church in America

Valley Springs is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a growing denomination of over 1400 churches. As a member of the PCA, we are governed by the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America, which consists of the supreme standard - the Word of God - and the subordinate standards - the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Catechisms, the Form of Government, the Rules of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship of God of the Presbyterian Church in America.

Within the PCA, we are a member of the Northern California Presbytery. Valley Springs is led by The Session, consisting of ordained Teaching Elders (pastors) and the current classes of Ruling Elders. The Session is ultimately responsible for all of the activities and business of the church.

Officers and Leadership

Information about our officers and leadership is available here.

Elections and Voting

Valley Springs holds Congregational Meetings on at least a yearly basis for the purpose of conducting the business of the church. At such meetings, we elect new Elders and vote on other issues as required. Although anyone can attend a Congregational Meeting, only Communicant Members in good standing are allowed to vote.

Our History

Valley Springs began with a vision to help people develop and grow a vital and authentic relationship with God. In 1988 David and Jayne George and their four children moved to Roseville from Green Bay, Wisconsin to launch a new congregation committed to reaching people who don't attend church.

Strengthened by prayer and financial support from many friends around the country, Valley Springs opened its doors on March 5, 1989. The new congregation grew in rented facilities until we were able to build our own campus in 1999.

In 2014, we celebrated 25 years of ministry and called a new Lead Pastor, Brad Anderson. We are excited for God's plans for Valley Springs, and the future he is calling us to!

What is Church Membership?

Local church membership is a tangible way of expressing our membership in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul teaches us that believers are “members of God’s household.” By becoming a member of a local fellowship, we join others in publicly professing our faith in Christ, we pledge our involvement as an active participant, we promise to cooperate with the church’s leadership, and we affirm our support of the church’s mission and strategy.

Why Become a Member?

While membership as such is not a condition of salvation, it is an important step in Christian growth and maturity. Christians are called not into isolation or individualism but into community. A local congregation is a “covenant community” in which believing individuals and families covenant to be accountable to one another, to their local leadership, and to God. Mutual support and encouragement, prayer for one another, and obedience to Christ’s lordship are the commitments members make.

Steps to Become a Member of Valley Springs

The first step is to attend an Intro Seminar, a three-hour seminar that includes time for fellowship. The Intro Seminar is led by one of the pastors and is a perfect time to learn about Valley Springs' purpose, beliefs, denominational affiliation, and structure; to ask questions, and to meet others exploring Valley Springs.

The second step is to meet personally with a Valley Springs pastor or elder to share your Christian experience, address questions you may have, and review the Congregational Covenant together.

The third step is when your name is presented at the next meeting of The Session for their review and vote. You will be notified when you are affirmed as a Communicant Member.

At a subsequent date to be arranged, you and others will be publicly welcomed as new members at one of our worship services.

Congregational Covenant

Profession

Christ is My Savior
1 Timothy 1:15-17
I believe that, even though I am a sinner who deserves God’s judgment, God loves me and sent His Son Jesus to pay for my sins by His life, death and resurrection. I trust Him for complete forgiveness and His free gift of eternal life.

Christ is My Lord
John 14:23-27
Because of Christ’s love for me, I want to thank Him by pleasing Him in all I do and say. God’s Word, the Bible, is my guide, and His Holy Spirit, who lives within me, is my source for daily living.

Participation

My Time
Hebrews 10:24,25
My time is a gift from God, and I desire to use it in ways that promote God’s glory and my growth in Him. I purpose to be regular in worship and to seek out community within this body for fellowship, support and discipleship.

My Talent
1 Peter 4:8-11
My talents and gifts are from God and can be used to help others and to glorify Him. I seek to discover more about how God has gifted me and commit myself to serving others in and through the ministries of this church.

My Treasure
Matthew 6:19-21
How I use the money God gives me reflects the priorities of my heart. Therefore, with a heart that is thankful to God for His grace at work in the world, I commit myself to help support the ministry of this church as He enables me.

Peace

With Everyone
Romans 12:9-18
Being thankful for how Christ has established peace with me, I make it my goal to pursue peace with everyone. In the face of conflict I shall strive to learn and apply Biblical principles of reconciliation within this fellowship.

With Leadership
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
I pledge to cooperate with the leadership of this church. If I disagree with or do not understand policies or decisions, I shall approach the appropriate leaders rather than going to other people and possibly causing dissension or division.

Philosophy

Basic Beliefs
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Our church is only as strong as our ongoing commitment to God’s truth. I am familiar with this church’s Basic Beliefs, and I shall refrain from advocating doctrines that contradict or are inconsistent with it.

Basic Strategy
Matthew 28:18-20
Christ has promised to empower His church as we faithfully make disciples of all peoples everywhere. I seek to be F.A.I.T.H.F.U.L. in my support of and prayer for this church’s purpose and strategy as we worship and witness together.

Baptism

What is Baptism?

Water baptism is a New Testament emblem that we are part of God’s covenant community. It is a symbol and seal that salvation does not result from what we’ve done but from what God has done for us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit washing away our sins (Titus 3:4-7). By reflecting on our own baptism and the baptism of others, we are reminded that we are saved by grace through faith alone, and have been brought into relationship with others in God's church, to worship and serve him as part of his covenant community.

Adults / Students

Baptism for adults is the public testimony, a visible sign, of one's personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, recognizing that by Christ's sacrifice alone, we are forgiven and saved to eternal life.

Adults and students prepare for baptism by attending the Introduction to Valley Springs class. Among other topics, content includes what it means to be a Christian, the significance of baptism, and your connection within the Christian community at Valley Springs. The class is followed by an individual meeting with a pastor or elder to hear your own testimony and to review Valley Springs' Congregational Covenant. The sacrament of baptism (by sprinkling or pouring) is regularly offered during worship services on the third Sunday of each month.

Infants / Young Children

Baptism for infants and very young children is the public means, a visible sign, by which parents dedicate their children to God, promising to raise them in the Christian faith, by God's grace and with the support of his church.

Valley Springs practices "household baptism" as seen in the New Testament (Acts 16:15; Acts 16:33-34). Children of believing parents are recognized as part of God's covenant family, to be brought up obeying God's law, and worshipping and working with God's people (Ephesians 6:4). Parents who present their infants and small children for baptism are thus promising to be accountable to live as a godly example, praying for and teaching their children reliance on God's grace, with the hope and expectation that their child will one day profess their own personal faith in Jesus Christ. To present their child(ren) for baptism, at least one parent must be a Communicant Member of Valley Springs Presbyterian Church. The sacrament of baptism is regularly offered during worship services on the third Sunday of each month.

Basic Beliefs

1. What is the Bible?
The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, teaching us the truth about God, ourselves, and life.

2. Who is God?
There is one God, the sovereign creator and sustainer of all things, who is perfect in all His attributes. He exists eternally in three distinct yet equal persons ─ God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

3. Who are we?
God created people, male and female, in His own image to fellowship with Him in obedience and manage the rest of creation to His glory.

4. What happened to us?
Our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned against God thus losing their desire to love and please Him. All of us are born and live as sinners and, apart from God’s salvation, are subject to His eternal judgment for our sin.

5. How are we saved?
Salvation is a gift from God ─ free and irrevocable ─ based on Jesus Christ’s perfect life, atoning death and bodily resurrection. We receive it by turning from sin and trusting in Christ alone. We’re drawn to Christ by the Father’s love and the Spirit’s power.

6. What are the benefits of salvation?
Everyone who trusts in Christ enjoys complete forgiveness, assurance of eternal life, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who equips us to obey and serve the Lord.

7. What is the church?
The universal church is comprised of all who trust in Christ, and their children. Each local church, as well as every Christian, is responsible to help fulfill Christ’s great commission to make disciples of all peoples.

8. What about baptism?
Water baptism is a sign that we belong to the Lord. It is for believers and our children and can be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.

9. What about the Lord's Supper?
The Lord’s Supper is a sign of Christ’s death on our behalf and our continuing trust in Him. Through it believers are spiritually strengthened in their faith.

10. What will happen in the future?
When we die, those who are saved go immediately to heaven ─ God’s dwelling place; those who are lost go to hell ─ Satan’s dwelling place. Once the good news of salvation has been preached among all peoples, Christ will return to raise our bodies, judge sin and establish His eternal kingdom.

F.A.I.T.H.F.U.L

FULL OF FAITH
Positive expectancy of what God will do in building Valley Springs as we depend on His direction and strength through prayer and His Word.
Matthew 16:17; Matthew 17:20

AVAILABLE
Willingness to see God stretch us as we yield our time, talent and treasure in ministry at Valley Springs to serve people for the glory of God.
Exodus 3:10-12; 1 Peter 4:10

INVITING
Actively inviting our friends to Valley Springs; always designing our services and ministries to demonstrate the attractiveness of the Gospel.
Acts 10:24; John 4:28-30, 39

TRUSTWORTHY
Authentic lifestyle at Valley Springs, both individual and corporate, that reflects Biblical norms and communicates interpersonal integrity.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-6; Acts 4:13

HELPFUL
Committed to always find specific ways to assist one another, visitors and the community so that Valley Springs will be known as a helpful church.
Mark 10:43-45; John 13:12-17

FLEXIBLE
Regularly evaluate our effectiveness and creatively try new ways to fulfill our vision of attracting and nurturing people in Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:22; John 1:14

UNDAUNTED
Resolute conviction that God will complete what He has begun and that obstacles can always be turned into opportunities.
Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

LOYAL
Sincere loyalty to the Lord and to Valley Springs’ vision, leadership and people - enabling us to function together as a team to God’s glory.
2 Corinthians 8:5; Romans 12:16

Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of Springs; the early rain also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7