About Calvary OPC
CHURCH LIFE
Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church builds its life around the Word of God preached and taught. The Lord's Day morning sermon is an exposition of a New Testament book while the evening sermon is an exposition of an Old Testament book.
Because we believe we are a covenant community, we encourage parents to teach worship to their children by having them remain in the congregation during the service. Our cry room and balcony are equipped with speakers for times when little ones need special attention.
During Sunday School and on Wednesday evenings, we offer Biblical, catechetical, or theological studies for adults and children. There is also a Friday morning Bible study at the church. At least once a month, we have a congregational dinner in the new fellowship hall.
GOVERNING BODY
Our local congregation is governed by a session made up of a teaching elder, or minister of the Word, and ruling elders, members of the congregation elected to that position. We also have deacons, who have been elected to conduct the church's ministries of mercy. As a particular congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, all of our officers believe the Bible to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. Additionally, the officers subscribe to the American Presbyterian Church 1789 version of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, acknowledging that these subordinate standards accurately summarize what the Bible teaches.
PASTOR
William M. Hobbs was called to be the pastor of Calvary OPC in 1992. Prior to coming to Tallahassee, he served 5 years as a pastor in Virginia, 2 years as a missionary in Congo, and 8 years as a management analyst/cost accountant. He holds degrees from Davidson College (BA), the University of Virginia (MA), and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv). He is married and has 2 grown children.
MISSIONS
While we seek to proclaim the lordship of Jesus by the word of God, for the glory of God, we are also committed to supporting those whom the Lord has called to share the gospel elsewhere. Thus, over 1/3 of our annual budget goes to home and foreign missions. Included are local ministries of mercy such as A Woman's Pregnancy Center and the Haven of Rest shelter; the Reformed University Fellowship at Florida State University; church planting works throughout the southeast, and OPC missionaries around the world.
BECOMING A MEMBER
To become a member of Calvary OPC, like all faithful reformed churches, a person must attend a membership class and sustain an interview with the governing board, the Session (made up of the elders). This interview is intended to assess the reality of the faith of the applicant, its ground (faith in Christ or something else), and that person's gifts and expectations. The class consists of four sessions built around the four membership vows (see OPC link). These vows cover one's understanding of how we know God, where righteousness may be found, how a Christian must seek to live, and submission to the church in matters of holy behavior and doctrine.