Christian Formation and Discipleship

Christian Formation and Discipleship (CFD) is a ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Everett. The purpose of CFD is to encourage and facilitate our congregation’s transformation into the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be liberated to testify in words and deeds to the Mission and Reign of God in the world.
I am in agony until Christ is formed in you. (Apostle Paul: Galatians 4:9)
We have developed three sets of strategic principles of Christian Formation through which we seek God’s power to
establish, sustain, and renew our faithful identity as God’s people:

Evangelical Principles

  • CHURCH PRINCIPLE: We don’t go to church; we are the church!
  • MISSION PRINCIPLE: We don’t have a mission program; we are a people in mission! (i.e. We don’t exist for ourselves but for the world God loves!)

Embodiment Principles

  • STORY PRINCIPLE: We order our life together according to God’s Story (Church year and Lectionary)!
  • SPECIAL EVENTS PRINCIPLE: We celebrate our unique identity together in seven annual inter-generational events (Advent Event→Christmas, Ash Wednesday→Lent, Holy Week, Pentecost Event, Vacation Bible School, All Church Retreat, Mission-Tide Series)!
  •  CORE PRACTICES PRINCIPLE: Congregational life consists of six interdependent core practices (worship, listening, learning, fellowship, service and advocacy) that together express our collective redeemed humanity!

Reformed Principles

  • REFORMED PRINCIPLE: We are a work in progress (the church reformed and always being reformed by the Word of God), called to life-long repentance!
  • HOLY SPIRIT PRINCIPLE: We seek empowerment by the Holy Spirit, learning to trust the “logic of the Spirit” (affirmation, crucifixion, transformation) in all we think, feel, and do!