About Us
Our
Mission
We are a Presbyterian church responding to new mission frontiers presented by our changing culture. Guided by our Lord Jesus Christ,
we love, serve and embrace
all people.
We've been here since 1847
Our Congregation
The members of First Presbyterian Church in Rensselaer, Indiana, have been engaged in the Rensselaer community for 177 years (as of 2024), and continue to be active today. Congregation members have participated in civic and public life, have been employed in community organizations, and have been continually involved in projects and groups that are seeking to serve those in Rensselaer who are struggling and suffering economically and in other ways.
The church was chartered in 1847, and is one of the oldest in Indiana. The present sanctuary was erected in 1895. James Van Rensselaer, the founder of Rensselaer, originally gave land for the church and is buried in the churchyard. The sanctuary has a variety of lovely stained glass windows—some depicting scenes from the Bible, some Christian symbols, and four large geometric rose windows, many of which were crafted by a member of the church.
Our church is fully accessible with a lift alongside the stairs to the sanctuary, and an advanced live view camera that can be watched from an HD television on the first floor.
First Presbyterian is theologically progressive, and is a welcoming community for all.
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another,
and seeing that he answered them well, he asked Jesus,
“Which commandment is the first of all?”
Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel:
the Lord our God, the Lord is one;
you shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
-Mark 12
Meet our Staff
Pastor and Head of Staff
Rev. Michelle J. Bartel, Ph.D.
Since Completing her M.Div. and Ph.D. at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998, Rev. Bartel has served as a professor at Augustana College (now Augustana University), and as a professor and chaplain at Hanover College. Through this time she had been serving in churches as pulpit supply and other capacities.
Office Manager
Bethany Dodge
Bethany joined our staff in February 2024. When not in the office, she enjoys reading and listening to podcasts about Bible scholarship and theology. She and her spouse moved to Rensselaer in 2020.
Director of Music & Youth
Stephanie Davisson
Our
Denomination
The PC(USA) was formed in 1983, when the northern church (the UPC, United Presbyterian Church) merged with the southern church (the PCUS, or Presbyterian Church, United States). Many Presbyterians refer to the PCUSA as a “Big Tent.” In fact, in the past there have been Big Tent gatherings in the years that General Assembly does not meet.
The PCUSA comprises 16 synods, which in turn comprise 166 presbyteries. Our synod, the Synod of Lincoln Trails, comprises 8 presbyteries. Our presbytery, the Presbytery of Wabash Valley, comprises 71 congregations.
Currently, the main offices of the PC(USA) operate as two related sets of offices. One is the Presbyterian Mission Agency, and the other is the Office of the General Assembly. The business that is completed during the bi-annual General Assembly is carried out by the Office of the General Assembly. The Presbyterian Mission Agency carries out the continuing life of the denomination by way of resources, curriculum development, programming, and so on.
The PC(USA) has five agencies in addition to the Office of the General Assembly. These include the Presbyterian Foundation (which includes the Board of Pensions), The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (the PPC), the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP), the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA), and the Office of the General Assembly (OGA).
Sometime in the middle of 2025, the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of General Assembly will become one agency.
Our Beliefs
Presbyterians in the PC(USA) - Presbyterian Church in the United States of America - understand themselves as standing in the Reformed theological tradition as a “big tent.” We find ourselves on a wide spectrum of interpretation of the tradition and scripture which we together hold dear.
The following sections are the "Foundations" for our beliefs as laid out in Part Two of our constitution, the Book of Order.
God's Mission
The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people. This one living God, the Scriptures say, liberated the people of Israel from oppression and covenanted to be their God. By the power of the Spirit, this one living God is incarnate in Jesus Christ, who came to live in the world, die for the world, and be raised again to new life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ announces the nearness of God’s kingdom, bringing good news to all who are impoverished, sight to all who are blind, freedom to all who are oppressed, and proclaiming the Lord’s favor upon all creation.
The mission of God in Christ gives shape and substance to the life and work of the Church. In Christ, the Church participates in God’s mission for the transformation of creation and humanity by proclaiming to all people the good news of God’s love, offering to all people the grace of God at font and table, and calling all people to discipleship in Christ. Human beings have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever, living in covenant fellowship with God and participating in God’s mission.
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