What we believe.

Like all Presbyterian churches, we are governed by elected officers, the people are the true leadership core of the church.  The Session is made up of "elders" elected annually to serve as the governing board of the church. And we have an elected Board of Deacons who serve as caregivers for the congregation. Old First belongs to the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination.  Learn more about us at PCUSA.org.  While we have "Old" in our name, we are constantly renewing ourselves and not stuck in old ways. We believe that Christ brings love, healing, peace, joy and justice to us and to the world. We want to share that good news with all people, inclusive of everyone.  We seek to follow in the ways of Jesus.  We welcome all and reach out to include those whom the historical church has often excluded and hurt. We use the full range of scriptural and traditional language, reflecting God's diversity as feminine & masculine, powerful & loving. We honor the integrity of the cultural language of oppressed people groups. We seek to imitate Christ's language of peace and equality amidst the oppressive, patriarchal culture often reflected in the Bible. We are a Matthew 25 church, part of a growing movement of Presbyterian churches pledging to be actively engaged in the world working for racial justice and against systemic racism. We are active in the San Francisco Interfaith Council working  together with all types of religious folks to better our city.