Statement of Beliefs

Statement Of Purpose   Cowan Cumberland Presbyterian Church exists to encourage people to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to Glorify God and enjoy Him, to grow toward Christian maturity, and find their place of service in the church in the world. Vision Cowan Cumberland Presbyterian Church is dedicated to joyfully proclaim Jesus Christ to the world as our Lord and Savior.  Mission To develop fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who are spirtually productive, engaged in ministry, fervent in prayer, and obedient to God's word. Cumberland Presbyterian Beliefs   We believe in the unity of Godhead and there are three persons of substance-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.   We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is of the only head of his Church on earth, which consists of those who have received Christ by faith.   We believe that there are no eternal reprobates, or people who are lost regardless of their own will. Christ died not for a  part only, but for all mankind and whosoever believes in Him has eternal life.   We believe all infants dying in infancy, and all persons who have never had the faculty of reason, are regenerated and saved through Christ and the sanctification of the Spirit.   We believe that all men, because of the effects of original sin, need regeneration and the Spirit of God operates on the world in such a manner as to leave all inexcusable.   We believe that good works are not the cause of salvation, but are the results of regeneration. A state of sinless Perfection in this life is not authorized by the scriptures, sanctification does not mean sinless perfection, but does mean a setting apart for a sacred use.   We believe there are two sacraments of the Church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.    Baptism symbolizes the baptism of the Holy Spirit and is the eternal sign of the covenant which marks membership in the community of faith. In this sacrament the church witnesses to God’s initiative to claim persons in Christ, forgive their sins, grant them grace, shape and order their lives through the work of the Holy spirit, and set them apart for service. It is the privilege and duty of all believers to seek baptism for themselves and their children, and to accept its benefits.   The  Lord’s Super is symbolized with bread and wince, which, through figuratively called the body and blood of Christ, nevertheless remain, after consecration, literal bread and wine.   We believe God blessed marriage as a sacred institution for the happiness, nurture, and welfare of family. As such it is intended to be permanent, however through human weakness, this covenant is frequently broken. The Church is called not only to the ministry of strengthening marriage, but also to the ministry of strengthening marriage, but also to the ministry of healing those affected by the dissolution of the marriage covenant.   We believe, that in Jesus Christ, God has acted to redeem persons from the bondage of death both in spirit and body. As God raised Jesus Christ from death, so it will be with those who have faith in him. We believe the judgment of God is both present and future. Persons experience judgment in many forms, including broken relationships with God and others, the guilt and consequences in God’s faithfulness and the purpose of life. God’s judgment also transcends and to live without repentance, faith, and love. Those who reject God’s in Jesus Christ remain alienated from God and in hopeless bondage to sin and death, which is hell. In the consummation of history, at the coming of Jesus Christ, the kingdom of the world shall become the kingdom of the Lord and of the Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.   Members are received on Profession Faith, Reaffirmation of Faith or by Letter of Transfer.   To all who are weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are idle and look for service; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to whosoever will come-this church welcomes you in the name of Jesus Christ her Lord.

Church History

Worship Services 10:30 A.M. Sunday School 9:30A.M.   THE COWAN CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH   At a special meeting of some of the members of the Goshen Cumberland Presbyterian Church and of the citizens of Cowan and its  immediate vicinity in the year 1886, it was decided to establish and erect a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Cowan.    The site on South Cowan Street was obtained from John Cowan Montgomery, and is the present location of the church.  On May 1, 1886, Mr. Ben Glidwell and a Mr. Kevil, employed to erect the building, laid the cornerstone and the work began.  Dirt was dug nearby and used to fashion the brick used in the building.  The materials and workmanship must have been of excellent quality, for now, some 118 years later, the building is still in good repair and houses the beautiful sanctuary of the Cowan congregation.  The building was complete on September 25, 1886.  On October 31, 1886, the new church was dedicated with Rev. G.W. Mitchell preaching the dedicatory sermon.  The total cost of the lot and building was only $2500.00 paid in full at the time of dedication.   A revival was held immediately, conducted by Rev. Marshall and Rev. R.D. Shook.  Forty-nine members were received into the church.  Many of them came from the nearby Goshen Church, which is still looked upon as the Mother Church.  On November 7, 1886, a church was organized by the Rev. G.W. Mitchell with forty-nine members.  The following men were elected ruling elders:  J.W. Pattie, Joe Miller, Jeff D. Miller, James C. Montgomery, and John Miller,Sr.  The first recorded session meeting was held on March 10, 1887.  Elder J.W. Pattie was named moderator pro-tem.  On motion, the session agreed that “this house or church should be used for no other purpose whatsoever other than preaching or other meetings such as are calculated to elevate society and the standard of morality.  Also, on motion, the session agreed that no person shall be allowed to occupy the pulpit of this church who is not considered orthodox.   It was not until September 12, 1887 that the session met and hired the first pastor, Rev. M.E. Prater (September 12, 1887-Dec 20, 1887).  Since that time, the following have served the Cowan CP Church as pastor:  N.D. Crawford (January 1888- November 1892); G.R. Harrison (December 1893- 1896); C.M. Collins (1897); J.G. Boydeston (1898-1899); John L. Price (February 1900-1901); F.M. Holcomb (November 1901- 1902); J.W. Simmons (April 1902-1903); Ernest M. Bryant (April 1904-1906); J.W.Folsom (1907); J.B. Eshman (1910-1912); L.B. Morgan (1911-1912); E.H. Roy (December 1912-1915); J.H. Zwingle (1916-1919); John R. Morris (1920-1923); J.H.Settle (July 1923-1926); Robert Haddon (1926); R.P. Bryant (1926-1928); W.C. Lloyd (April 1929-1935); John R. Morris (1935-1937); A.N. Eshman (October 1937- August 1940); W.B. Sprakeer (October 1940-1947); James W. Knight (March 1948- August 1948); Ky Curry (1948- June 1964); David Brown (August 1964- October 1970); Bobby Hancock (1971-June 1980); Charles Dancy (August 1980- April 1982); Hillman Moore (September 1982- August 1989); Harry N. Green (October 1989-1996); Mark and Michelle Rackley (1996- April 1998); Zachary Nash (April 1998- June 2002); interim pastor Bobby Hancock (June 2002- December 2002); Joe Wiggins (January 2003 – May 2007); and Rocky Whray (October 2007 - Present).   It is interesting to note that during the union movement of 1906, the pastor and a majority of the session voted to unite with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.  However, a group remained Cumberland Presbyterian and petitioned the union group for the use of the building half time.  The request was granted and both sides made use of the church building while the courts were deciding the matter.  In the end, the Cumberland Presbyterians retained the property and the church is one of the stronger Cumberland Presbyterian Churches in the area today.