We believe it is important and biblical for people, congregations and church leaders to be accountable to others. As a result, we are a connectional church, formally a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). "Presbyterian" means "governed by elders." Practically speaking, that means that we have a representative form of church government.
"Presbyterian" also means something about what we believe. We are a part of the Reformed tradition, committed to an ongoing process of being faithful to scripture. Every few generations we put our beliefs about our understanding of scripture into writing. You can read a recent example in our Brief Statement of Faith.
Throughout history God has raised up both men and women for leadership. In Galatians 3.28 God's Word teaches, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." As a result, we believe that the Holy Spirit calls both men and women to all ministries of the church. Women can be ordained as pastors, elders and deacons, and serve God faithfully as both elders and deacons at Simi Prez.
While we are formally a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), our chief allegiance is to Jesus Christ. We are inter-denominational insofar as our members come from a wide variety of religious backgrounds and traditions. Our congregation is a part of the Willowcreek Association. Finally, we are a purpose-driven church committed to a balanced, biblical mission "to reach the lost, to make disciples, and to send them out."