ABOUT US
We believe that God is stirring something fresh and exciting at Portland Christian Center! Every Sunday, as we gather to worship and hear from God’s Word, we are growing with anticipation and expectation that great days are ahead! We hope you can join us!
Want to know more about Portland Christian Center?
The life of our church family orbits around a five-step strategy:
BELONG
As a church family, we become healthy through fellowship.
GROW
As a church family, we grow deeper through discipleship.
SERVE
As a church family, we demonstrate love through ministry.
REACH
As a church family, we live our mission through evangelism.
CELEBRATE
As a church family, we reflect God’s glory through worship!
We are better together!
Generationally Diverse
God’s family ought to include all ages, shapes and colors. PCC strives to equally seek, love, accept, value, reach and minister to people of every demographic.
Relationally Focused
Spiritual unity among believers is precious to God. PCC values and promotes healthy relationship in marriages, families, among believers and between churches.
Globally Missional
Missions is the mission of the church. PCC maintains a passionate heartbeat for reaching lost people around the world, especially the unreached.
Biblically Centered
The God-pleasing church is founded on the authority of Scripture. PCC is committed to a theology that is orthodox, evangelical, and Pentecostal, rooted not in past church traditions or in current methodologies, but on what scripture declares.
Transformationally Driven
To be like Jesus is the highest aim of authentic discipleship. PCC’s ministry emphasis is not just to inform, but to transform, encourage and equip people to become fully formed in Christ.
Musically Excellent
The worship arts are the church’s most visible and powerful “calling card” for reaching its community. PCC maintains an emphasis on the arts that is excellent, current, Spirit-formed and most of all, offered for the glory of God alone.
Fully Devoted
God will show himself strong on behalf of those who will step out in risky faith to radically love him and sacrificially serve his purposes in the world! PCC strives to radically love God and express risky faith.
Intentionally Reproductive
The local church is the hope of the world. PCC is committed to planting, strengthening and multiplying the church in Portland and around the world.
Future Focused
The Kingdom of God is a baton pass. PCC’s core is committed to modeling footsteps of faith for future generations, leaving a legacy of radical love and risky obedience to those who follow.
God Exalting
The proper motto and motive for church is Soli Deo Gloria, “glory to God alone.” PCC’s driving passion and ultimate benchmark of success is to make Jesus famous in our city and around our world.
Assembly of God
Statement of Fundamental Truths
How long has Portland Christian Center been in existence?
Portland Christian Center was established in 1924 as a result of a spiritual awakening that swept the city of Portland. PCC has an extraordinary and rich history! To hear more about the PCC backstory, and upcoming information about our Centennial Celebration in 2024, click here.
What can I expect when I attend a Sunday worship gathering?
You can expect to be met at the door by our friendly Portland Christian Center host team, ready to greet you and point you in the right direction. We will have a complimentary hot cup of coffee, from one of Portland’s premier local roasters, right in the lobby. We have a live worship band – don’t worry about knowing all the songs – we will have the lyrics on the screen if you want to join us in singing. Our entire service time is typically around 75 minutes which includes a 30 minute message. If you have kids, you may want to plan on arriving 10-15 minutes early to check them in at our lobby check-in station. Our main gathering begins at 10:30 AM. Hope to see you soon!
Where can my children go during service times?
We have excellent, professional child care available for nursery through elementary age. All of our children’s workers are trained and background checked. We are happy to care for your little ones while you attend a service. Children’s check in is located to the left in our main lobby.
Where are the accessibility entry points located?
Portland Christian Center has two accessible parking areas and entrances. Our main lot and front access has a lower level entry (on the right-hand side) with an elevator to assisst you to the main level. Our upper parking lot/side entrance is wheelchair accessible. Both entrances have restrooms close by. All restrooms have accessible stalls but no power doors.
Who do I contact if I have more questions about faith or spirituality?
We are so glad you are interested in finding our more about your own faith or that you have questions about spirituality. We have a dedicated daily Pastor-On-Call ready to listen or answer your questions. Please contact us at 503.245.7735 or email at info@pcctoday.com.
What is Portland Christian Center’s denominational affiliation?
Portland Christian Center is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. The Assemblies of God was founded in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas with 300 people at the founding convention. Today there are 13,017 churches in the U.S. with over 3 million members and adherents. There are more than 69 million Assemblies of God members worldwide, making the Assemblies of God the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination. The U.S. Assemblies of God national office is located in Springfield, Missouri.
How is Portland Christian Center governed?
The church operates according to its constitution and bylaws, which is available to any member or attendee upon request. By stipulation of that document, a board of eight deacons acts in an advisory capacity to the Lead Pastor, who serves as chairman of the board, in all matters pertaining to the church in its ministry and mission. They provide counsel and mutual assistance in the administration of the business and work of the church. They examine applicants for membership, administrate church discipline, and have ultimate oversight of the finances of the church. In the event the church is temporarily without a pastor, the deacons are empowered to provide for their own chairman from their membership to transact business for the church and to provide for a search for the new pastor. The Board of Deacons meets monthly to pray over the church, receive staff reports, give input on the direction of the church, and vote on key action items, such as the missions report, the finance report, and various other matters requiring board approval.
How does Portland Christian Center handle tithes, offerings and finances?
We value generosity and practice a time to give offering and tithe as a form of worship. As our guest, you are free to observe this during your visit. If you have other financial questions, please feel free to reach out to our Executive Pastor of Outreach and Generosity, Rick Bernheisel at rbernheisel@pcctoday.com.
How are major decisions made at Portland Christian Center?
Major decisions, must be authorized by a vote of at least two-thirds majority of the votes cast in a regular or special business meeting of the church membership. Other matters, deemed of corporate significance by the pastor and the board of deacons, may be brought to the entire membership from time to time for advice and consent.
When is the business meeting held for the Portland Christian Center’s membership?
Portland Christian Center’s holds its annual business meeting during the first quarter of each year. At the meeting, church members are given a written report, the vision of the church is reviewed, progress toward the church’s mission and vision is analyzed, a financial analysis for the previous year is presented, new deacons are ratified, and various other business that requires the input and approval of the members is transacted. The meeting follows Robert’s Rules of Order.
Does Portland Christian Center have debt?
In January of 2017, Portland Christian Center celebrated becoming debt-free. In our intentional journey of eliminating corporate debt, the leadership of the church made a commitment to operating debt-free in all matters.
To whom is the Lead Pastor accountable?
The Lead Pastor is accountable to his ordaining body, the Assemblies of God, and to the Board of Deacons of Portland Christian Center.