It should be said at first that we hold much in common with other denominations. We feel that too much is said about the beliefs that divide denominations and too little about those great doctrines which are held in common by all Christians everywhere. Our basic beliefs are:

Scripture:   We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the infallible rule of faith and practice, the authoritative guide for Christian living. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Salvation:   We believe that God's mighty act of reconciling love was accomplished in Jesus Christ, the divine Son who became flesh to be the means by which the sins of the world are forgiven. Salvation is freely offered to all. (John 3:16)

Baptism:   We believe that water baptism symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit and is the external sign that marks forgiveness of sins and membership in the community of faith. We practice sprinkling as our mode, but acknowledge any mode of baptism. One does not need to be baptized again when joining our church. (Acts 2:38-41)

The Lord's Supper:   We believe this sacrament is a means by which the church remembers Christ's suffering and death on the cross. It is also a means of spiritual nourishment and growth, an act of grateful obedience to Christ, and a commitment to the work and service of Christ's church. We have open communion and invite to the Lord's table all Christians regardless of denominational affiliation. (Matthew 26:26-29).

We are part of the Body of Christ with diverse gifts who have a mututal love for God and one another. Our purpose is disciplehip through teaching of God's Word, nurture of fellow Christians, service to God's kingdom, and proclamation of God's sovereignty to the world.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee was one of the first churches organized in Dyer County. It was organized in July, 1850. The first church building was a two-story frame building constructed in 1874. The second church building was a large brick building on the corner of Mill and Masonic. It was built in 1891 and used until 1972. Our third church building was constructed at our present location on the corner of Highway 51 by-pass and Parr Avenue. We moved into this building on October 22, 1972. In 1986 the Family Life Center was added to supply more classrooms, a second kitchen, and a gymnasium. The Lighthouse was constructed to accommodate our growing youth program. It was dedicated in April 1999.

Our Church has been served by twenty pastors and five associate pastors in its 153 year history. The most recent pastors are:

Biblically-based and Christ-centered, born out of a specific sense of mission, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church strives to be true to its heritage: to be open to God's reforming spirit, to work cooperatively with the larger Body of Christ, and to nurture the connectional bonds that make us one.

The Cumberland Presbyterain Church seeks to be the hands and feet of Christ in witness and service to the world and, above all, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church lives out the love of God to the glory of Jesus Christ.

The Cumberland Presbyterian denomination was organized in Dickson County, Tennessee on February 4, 1810. It was an outgrowth of the Great Revival of 1800 -- one of the most powerful revivals that this country has ever witnessed. The founders of the Church were Finis Ewing, Samuel King and Samuel McAdow. They were ministers in the Presbyterain Church, who rejected the doctrine of election and reprobation as taught in the Westminster Confession of Faith. The points where we dissented from the Westminster Confession fall in four catagories. We believe:

1.  That there are no eternal reprobates.

2.  That Christ died not for a part only, but for all people.

3.  That all infants dying in infancy are saved through Christ and the sanctification of the Spirit.

4.  That the Spirit of God operates on the world in such a manner as to leave all people inexcusable.

Session  - ordained ministers and elders elected by the congregation.

Presbytery  - elders and ministers from each session who oversee the local churches.

Synod  - representatives elected from each presbytery to oversee several presbyteries.

General Assembly  - the international governing body made up of equal numbers of lay people and clergy chosen by the presbyteries.

* Confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

* Trust in Christ as our forgiving Savior.

* Promise to follow Christ and his example for living.

* Commit to perticipate in the worship and work of the church.