Grace Fellowship OPC is a Reformed Christian congregation affiliated with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), a conservative Presbyterian denomination that adheres strictly to the Westminster Confession of Faith and biblical inerrancy. It emphasizes doctrinal purity, covenantal theology, and preaching-centered worship.
The OPC traces its roots to 1936, when a group of Presbyterian ministers broke from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) over concerns about theological liberalism and denominational drift. Grace Fellowship OPC operates under this legacy, maintaining a commitment to confessional orthodoxy and a high view of Scripture.
As a local church within the OPC network, Grace Fellowship OPC follows a presbyterian polity-governed by elected elders rather than a single pastor. This structure ensures accountability and shared leadership. The church holds regular services on Sundays, including a sermon based on a passage of Scripture, and observes the Lord's Supper quarterly.
Grace Fellowship OPC affirms the five points of Calvinism-total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints-as taught in the Westminster Confession of Faith. These doctrines form the basis of its preaching and pastoral care.
It teaches that salvation is entirely by grace through faith, not by works, and that God's grace is sovereign and unearned. According to the OPC's official statement, "The gospel is not a moral appeal but a divine declaration of pardon." This belief shapes everything from sermons to outreach programs.
For example, during a recent series on Ephesians 2:8-9, the pastor at Grace Fellowship OPC emphasized that "faith itself is a gift of God," not a human achievement. The congregation responded with renewed focus on gratitude rather than performance.
Like all OPC churches, Grace Fellowship OPC is governed by a session-a group of elders elected by the congregation. The session handles discipline, finances, and oversight of pastoral appointments. A presbytery, composed of multiple sessions, provides regional oversight and handles disputes or appeals.
Each church reports to a regional presbytery. For Grace Fellowship OPC, this is the Mid-Atlantic Presbytery. The presbytery meets twice a year and reviews reports from member churches, ensuring doctrinal consistency.
| Church Level | Role | Example Function |
|---|---|---|
| Session | Local leadership | Oversees worship, finances, and pastoral care |
| Presbytery | Regional oversight | Reviews church reports, handles appeals |
| General Assembly | National authority | Meets annually to set doctrine and policy |
Unlike some megachurches with centralized leadership, Grace Fellowship OPC has no single lead pastor. Instead, multiple elders share preaching duties and decision-making. This model prevents concentration of power and reflects the OPC's commitment to representative governance.
Worship at Grace Fellowship OPC follows a structured liturgy based on the Book of Common Worship and historical Reformed practice. Services include prayer, Scripture reading, hymns, a sermon, and the administration of the sacraments.
Hymns are drawn from the 1983 Presbyterian Hymnal and the Psalter Hymnal. The church avoids contemporary worship music not because it opposes modern styles, but because it prioritizes doctrinally sound lyrics and congregational participation over emotional appeal.
During a recent Easter service, the congregation sang "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" and "O Sacred Head Now Wounded." The sermon focused on Romans 6:4-5, linking Christ's resurrection to believers' new life. Attendance was 112, with 28 children in the nursery.
Some assume Grace Fellowship OPC is isolated or withdrawn from culture. This is incorrect. While it rejects cultural accommodation that compromises doctrine, it actively engages in community outreach. The church runs a food pantry every Friday and partners with local schools for tutoring.
Another misconception is that OPC churches are anti-intellectual. On the contrary, the OPC requires pastors to hold a Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary. Grace Fellowship OPC's current pastor, Rev. Daniel Kim, earned his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and completed a year-long internship at a church in Pittsburgh.
A key distinction often missed: Grace Fellowship OPC is not a sect. It is part of a larger denomination with over 1,000 churches worldwide. The OPC is recognized by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and maintains formal relationships with sister denominations in Canada and South Africa.
I attended a Sunday service at Grace Fellowship OPC last fall. The atmosphere was calm and intentional. The bulletin listed the Scripture readings, hymn numbers, and sermon outline. After the service, members gathered in the fellowship hall for coffee and conversation. One elder told me, "We don't do 'worship experiences.' We do worship-because God is worthy, not because we feel good."
This mindset reflects the church's emphasis on reverence over performance. It's not about creating a mood-it's about encountering God through His Word.
Compared to non-denominational churches, Grace Fellowship OPC places greater weight on historical creeds and ecclesiastical structure. It does not allow lay-led services or rotating worship teams. All preaching must align with the Westminster Confession.
Unlike many evangelical churches, it does not use altar calls or emotional invitations. Salvation is presented as a divine act, not a human decision. As stated in the OPC's 2021 doctrinal statement, "Conversion is not a moment of choice but a work of regeneration."
When compared to Baptist or Pentecostal traditions, Grace Fellowship OPC differs in baptismal practice. It administers infant baptism based on covenant theology-the child is included in the visible church and promises to raise them in the faith. This contrasts with Baptist views that see baptism as a personal profession of faith.
Grace Fellowship OPC is a Reformed congregation committed to biblical authority, confessional integrity, and faithful worship. Its practices reflect a deep respect for tradition, theology, and community. For those seeking a church grounded in Scripture and structured by doctrine, it offers a clear alternative to culturally driven models.