Christ Presbyterian Church (Nashville, Tennessee)

Not to be confused with Christ the King Presbyterian Church.

Church in Tennessee, United States

Christ Presbyterian Church

Location| 2323 Old Hickory Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee
Country| United States
Denomination| Presbyterian Church in America
Website| christpres.org

The Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, is a Presbyterian Church in America multi-site church with three campuses (Old Hickory Blvd, Music Row, and Cool Springs) with approximately 2,000 total weekly attenders as of 2022.

## History

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Cortez Cooper founded Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville in January 1981. Cooper was previously pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Nashville, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affiliated congregation, from 1971 to 1981. Cooper organized Christ Presbyterian as an affiliate of the Presbyterian Church in America, the more theologically conservative of the Presbyterian churches.[1][2][3] The current church building was designed to hold 1,500 people, with expansion potential to 2,100 if needed.[2] On its founding date, about 1,000 people gathered to found the church.[2] In spring 1981, the congregation joined the PCA. The church purchased property, the first worship service was held in the new building took place in May 1984. By 1997, the church's five Sunday services drew more than 3,000.[3] In 2004, Christ Presbyterian Church called Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr. as Senior Pastor.[4] Ortlund is a Biblical scholar, theologian, prolific writer and teacher. He served as Senior Pastor until February 2007. In July 2007, Wilson Benton came out of retirement to become the interim Senior Pastor. Benton served as senior pastor of Kirk of the Hills PCA in St. Louis for over twenty years, and at his retirement, the interim Senior Pastor there was Christ Presbyterian's first Pastor, Cortez Cooper.[5] It sponsors the Christ Presbyterian Academy since its founding in 1985. The congregation planted many PCA churches in the Nashville community.[6] Since January 2012, the pastor of Christ Presbyterian has been Scott Sauls.[7] Sauls was previously a pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York City) with Tim Keller (pastor).[8] Sauls was chosen to offer the prayer at the inauguration of Governor Bill Haslam.[9] Sauls was placed on indefinite leave in May 2023 following an investigation into his conduct as a leader. In November 2023, Sauls resigned. [10]

## Theology

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The congregation is a member of the Nashville Presbytery of the PCA.[11] It adheres to the Nicene Creed, the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession.[6][12]

## Notable people

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* Bill Haslam \- former Governor of Tennessee.[13]
* Marsha Blackburn \- United States senator.[14]

## References

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1. ^ Smietana, Bob (4 August 2013). "Presbyterians' decision to drop hymn stirs debate". The Tennessean. ProQuest 1417287701.
2. ^ a b c Meeker, Frances (1 November 1998). "Religion: Christ Presbyterian to rejoice in new sanctuary". Nashville Banner. ProQuest 283850898.
3. ^ a b Meeker, Frances (17 April 1997). "Religion: Pair puts sight, sound to wonder of Revelation". Nashville Banner. ProQuest 283863588.
4. ^ Searcy, Charles (29 December 2005). "Pastor finds passion". The Tennessean. ProQuest 239728861.
5. ^ "Our History". Christ Presbyterian Church. March 21, 2015. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
6. ^ a b "Affiliations". Christ Presbyterian Church. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
7. ^ "Christ Presbyterian Church: Nashville, Tennessee : Rev. Scott Sauls". Christpres.org. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
8. ^ "Scott Sauls, Preaching Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian NYC called to be Senior Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Nashville – The Aquila Report". January 29, 2012.
9. ^ Gonzales, Jason (18 January 2015). "Inauguration features prayers and protests". The Tennessean. ProQuest 1646323721.
10. ^ https://religionnews.com/2023/05/07/scott-sauls-author-and-nashville-pastor-to-take-leave-of-absence/
11. ^ "Christ Presbyterian Church (Central and Intown) – Nashville". August 17, 2012.
12. ^ "Christ Presbyterian Church: Nashville, TN > What We Believe". Christpres.org. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
13. ^ Bliss, Jessica (November 6, 2016). "Gov. Bill Haslam discusses politics and Christianity". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
14. ^ Ebert, Joel (September 3, 2018). "On the campaign trail: How Marsha Blackburn hopes to win Tennessee's US Senate race". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. Retrieved 2019-04-04.

## External links

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* Christ Presbyterian Church official website
* Pastor Scott Sauls' official website

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