Questions & Answers

When looking for a church home, one often has many questions.  This section tries to answer many of these questions.  If you have a question that we do not answer on this page, please contact us!

Our Church

What characterizes Liberty Corner Church?
We are a welcoming congregation of disciples of Jesus Christ.  We enthusiastically embrace Christ and each other.  We actively celebrate God’s love for all of us and seek to serve God by sharing our faith and helping others.

What are our primary ministries?
Currently we have over 80 ministries offering involvement and service opportunities for people with a wide variety of gifts and interests.  Our ministries include, but are not limited to the following areas:

• Children’s Ministry
• Care giving Ministry
• Adult Ministry
• Person-to-Person Ministry
• Music Ministries
• Youth Ministries
• Hands-on Ministries
• Missions and Outreach

Our Beliefs

What is our Mission?
To make disciples of Jesus Christ

What are our Core Values?

To grow spiritually into Christ.
To minister faithfully with Christ.
To reach the unchurched for Christ.

What do we mean by “Disciple”?

A disciple of Jesus Christ is a person who, having accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, is committed, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to being a fully devoted follower of Jesus by:

• Growing in a personal relationship with God through prayer, study of God’s word, and living in obedience to God’s will.
• Worshipping regularly with other Christians.
• Participating in small groups of Christian community.
• Ministering through care and service to both Christians and non-Christians through the development and use of spiritual gifts.
• Being a faithful steward of God’s gifts of time, talent, and money.
• Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet believe.
  

What does it mean that we aspire to be an “Acts 2” church?
An Acts 2 church boldly proclaims the message of Christ’s grace while its people endeavor to develop spiritually.  In addition, the church at its best is one that is dedicated to community.  At the same time, the people of the church see themselves as servants of Christ and each other.  A wise handling of its resources also marks an Acts 2 church.  In essence, following the example of the fledgling church after Jesus’ ascension presents the world with a thriving, serving, loving body of Christ. 

What denomination is Liberty Corner Church?
Our church is part of Presbyterian Church (USA).  The Presbyterian Church (USA) has  approximately 2.5 million members, 11,200 congregations and 21,000 ordained ministers.  Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation.  Our heritage and much of what we believe began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.

Worshiping With Us

What times and where are worship services held?
We have four Sunday worship services:

8:00 a.m.      Contemplative Communion Service in the Sanctuary

9:00 a.m.      Contemporary service in Center Court

9:15 a.m.      Traditional service in the Sanctuary

At 9:15  a.m.  Sunday School (Birth to 5th Grade)

10:45 a.m.    Traditional service in the Sanctuary

10:45 a.m.     Sunday School (For children of all ages, Youth  and Adults)

How long are the worship services?
Approximately one hour

Is communion available at all worship services?
Communion is available on the first Sunday of the month at all services.  It is distributed every week at the 8:00 and 9:00 services and monthly at 9:15 and 10:45 services. 

Is there education available on Sunday mornings?
Both children’s and adult education are available on Sunday mornings.  The first educational session begins at 9:00 and the second at 10:30. The educational program is designed to coordinate with worship service so that adults and children can attend both worship and education.

Adult education focuses on Bible study and its application in our daily lives.  Children’s education is age specific and teaches the basic tenets of our faith in a way they can understand and relate to.

Is there fellowship time available Sunday mornings?
Yes, we are a friendly church!  We offer Friendship Hour in Douglas Hall on Sunday mornings from 9:45 through noon, providing coffee and light refreshments and time to greet and converse with old friends and new.  

How long can I attend the church without joining?
You can attend our church indefinitely without joining.  However, we would encourage you join us as members when you feel comfortable, so that you feel fully involved and integrated into our church.

How can I join the church?
New member classes are currently held more than twice a year – in the Fall and in the Spring.  In order to join  our church, one must complete the new member classes which are designed to be informative,  interactive and engaging. Becoming a member of LCPC is one step in the process of growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Growing as a disciple is a life-long journey, and each person is in a different place on his or her journey. 

Do I have to be a Presbyterian to attend services here?
No.  We welcome everyone who would like to worship God at our church.

Children in Our Church

How many children are there in our church?
Over 250 children are currently enrolled in the Sunday School program. 

Do children attend worship services?
Yes, children are welcome at all worship services.  We have a specific program to help children relate to and learn about worship services.  See our Children's section for more information.

What if I want to have my child baptized at the church? 
Parents (or adults) should contact one of the pastors to discuss Baptism requests.

Our Congregation

How many members does our church have?
Approximately 1,200

Where do most of our members live?
About 40% live in Bernards Township (Basking Ridge/Liberty Corner).  The remaining 60% live in surrounding towns including Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Clinton, Bridgewater, Middlesex, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Bedminster, Pluckemin, Warren, Millington and elsewhere.

Our Staff

How many pastors and staff members does our church have?
We are served by three ordained pastors and twenty full and part-time staff members.

Can you tell me something about the three pastors? 
Please see the pastor biographies in the "Our Leaders" section of this website.

Our Giving

What is the church’s annual budget?
The 2007 annual budget was approximately $2.0 million.

What percentage of the church’s budget goes to benevolence?
Approximately 20% goes to benevolence.

What is meant by tithing?
Tithing calls for giving back to God the first or top 10% of your income.  It is based on the belief that everything we have and every ability to earn income comes from God.  In recognition of this, it is fitting that we should give some of this back to God.  We say the first or top 10% so that this giving is not an afterthought but rather the first place that we give our money, not the last.

Our New Facilities

What information can you give me on the new addition in terms of additional space and cost?
Now that Liberty Corner Church has expanded its facility with a 22,000 square-foot addition, more of the community can benefit from adult, youth and children’s programs and activities. The $5.8 million, state-of-the-art facility, dedicated June 1, 2003, features:

• a multi-purpose gymnasium (named Center Court) with a stage and balcony for worship/fellowship, sports/recreation, seminars/workshops and music/drama.
• a commercial kitchen facility
• education and meeting rooms
• administrative offices
• additional parking for 100-plus cars