Pastor Shawn J. Smith has been an ordained minister in the PC(USA) church since 2006 and has served Presbyterian churches for 20 years. Shawn received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and his BA of Educational Ministry from Seattle Pacific University.
He and his wife Elizabeth have been married for 18 years and have 5 children; Elise, Emaline, Ella, Colton and Declan.
In his free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing golf, grilling and cheering on the Seattle Mariners and the Green Bay Packers.
You can follow Shawn on Instagram and Twitter @presbypastor
Statement of Faith
I believe that the Christian Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments are the inspired and authoritative Word of God. By this the Holy Spirit leads us in the way we are to live out our public act of worship of God. I affirm the faith that was articulated as interpretation of these texts in the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds. I believe that there is One God, revealed to humankind as three divine persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while remaining One. I am instructed by the Confessions of our faith as interpretations that lead and inform the people of the Reformed tradition.
I affirm that in the beginning there was God and through God’s creative work all life was brought into existence. God remains sovereign over life today as well as sustains it until the day when all will be brought to its completion in the consummation. I believe that God created humanity in God’s own image for the dual purpose of being care takers of creation and being in relationship with God. I believe that this relationship was and is initiated by God.
When humanity pursued that which God forbid them to partake of they subjected themselves to sin and death rather than the will of God. It is from this rebellious act that every generation reaps division between God and humanity, as well as within humankind. Where we cannot overcome this divide, God supplied salvation for us in the gift of grace that is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. When we profess faith in Jesus as Lord we are redeemed from sin and death. For our benefit we are given the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to strengthen us as we follow the Way of Jesus who sought to do the Father’s will. Our response is to love God with our whole being and love our neighbors. Our love for our neighbors should be rooted in the grace that we have received from God.
I believe that followers of Jesus are expected to share this message of God’s grace by witnessing with our lives that Jesus is risen; He is alive, and the Lord of all. Jesus was sacrificed once for the redemption and liberation of the lost. No one can earn, buy, or barter their way into a right relationship with God. That renewal was and is only God’s to give and God chose to give the gift of grace freely.
I believe that the church is called to stand with and for their neighbor when injustice is present. This act must be done through the Church Universal and with any other agency that will lend its voice and action. God is ultimately in control, but we must also remember Jesus lesson of the Good Samaritan. We must avoid falling prey to our own self-importance and help those who have been destroyed by evil. I believe God’s grace is the greatest gift ever given and I live to preach it, walk within it, and share it.
Rev. Shawn J. Smith 