First Presbyterian Church Pooler is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a conservative, evangelical, Bible-believing denomination. The PCA has a strong commitment to evangelism, missionary works at home and abroad, and Christian Education. From its inception, the PCA has determined its purpose to be “faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission.”

The PCA was formed in 1973, having separated from the Presbyterian Church of the United States (PCUS). The separation was in opposition to long-developing theological liberalism which denied the deity of Jesus Christ and the inerrancy and authority of Scripture. In 1982, the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, joined the PCA.  This merger brought Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA, and Covenant Seminary in St. Louis into the PCA.

The PCA holds to the Reformational tradition of the 5 Solas (or “Alones”):

• “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone);
• “Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone);
• “Sola Fide” (Faith Alone);
• “Solus Christus” (Christ Alone); and
• “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be Glory). 

The denomination commits to the doctrines of grace, which describe what God has done for the salvation of his people. Finally, the PCA is a Confessional denomination, reflected in its commitment to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.

The PCA maintains the historic polity of Presbyterian governance outlined in The Book of Church Order, namely, rule by presbyters (or elders) and the graded assemblies or courts. These courts are the session governing the local church, the presbytery for regional matters, and the general assembly at the national level.