More About Westminster Church

Sharing God's grace and love for over 100 years.
Our MissionVisitor FAQs

Our Mission & Vision

Ever seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, We​​ strive to follow Jesus Christ by being…​​

– Attentive to the Word

– Faithful in our covenant with God and each other

– Diligent in ministering to the needs of the world

For more than a century Westminster Presbyterian Church has been a vital asset in Madison’s near southwest neighborhoods. We are a welcoming, vibrant, inclusive congregation committed to growing spiritually, building community, and serving others in the name of Christ. Westminster is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).

Serving Others

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Events

Worship

Our Beliefs & Values

Trusting in the eternal goodness of God;
Blessed by an abundance of God’s grace revealed in Jesus Christ;
Aware of the poor and lonely in our backyard, and humble in the knowledge that our gifts, while many, may only begin to make a difference.

Joyful Worship

Our weekly gathering for worship is the heartbeat of our community of faith. We gather to hear, reflect, and respond to God’s Word, celebrate God’s presence in our lives and in the world and be equipped to be faithful disciples for the coming week.

Lifelong Learning

Christianity is not so much a set of beliefs but a way of life, of learning how to love God and love our neighbors in our daily living. Whether you are 3 or 93 years old, we grow in our faith through quality, ongoing Christian education.

Authentic Relationships

Community matters at Westminster. You won’t be anonymous in our church. We have deep relationships with one another and are ready to share the joys and concerns of our lives, knowing that we will be accepted, loved, and supported for who we are.

Ecumenical and Interfaith Engagement

We work collaboratively with other Christian churches and demonstrate profound respect for other faith traditions. Westminster joyfully hosted the Madinah School, a Muslim elementary school in Madison, for ten years in our church building.

Peace & Justice

Our vocation as Christians is to work for peace in all aspects of our lives and, following the example of Jesus, to help turn “swords into plowshares.” Justice is at the heart of our Christian calling: economic, environmental, racial, sexual, and restorative justice all reflect the love of God in Christ.

Inclusion

We’re serious when we say ALL are welcome in our community. Young and old, men and women, single and partnered, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community are members and leaders in our congregation.

“Westminster Church is a special place. It’s a great joy for me to serve such a caring, generous, and committed congregation. I’m constantly inspired by the spiritual maturity of our members, who encourage and challenge me to grow in my own faith as I encourage and challenge them in theirs. I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to be here.”

– Pastor Scott Anderson

Who We Are

Our Team & Leadership

Westminster prides itself in having an experienced, effective, and committed staff team.

Our Pastor: Scott Anderson

Our Pastor: Scott Anderson

Pastor

Pastor Scott Anderson is our Head of Staff and began his ministry at Westminster Church in March 2017, after serving for 14 years as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches. He is a graduate of the University of California at Davis (B.A.) Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He also holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration. Scott enjoys reading, great movies, Broadway musicals, the Madison Symphony and hanging out with his two dogs Sam and Debbie. He is also a lover of jazz.

Joe Chrisman

Joe Chrisman

Minister of Music

Amy Poland

Amy Poland

Christian Ministries Coordinator

Rev. Dr. Jessica Nyland Salt

Rev. Dr. Jessica Nyland Salt

Bible Study Leader

Dorothy Blotz

Dorothy Blotz

Accompanist

Katie Bencze

Katie Bencze

Church Administrator

F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Presbyterian” mean?

Presbyterian comes from the Greek presbuteros, meaning “elder” in the New Testament. Presbyterian refers to how we organize ourselves, where an assembly of elders and ministers who are democratically elected governs church life. The Presbyterian form of government is similar in many ways to American democracy.

Where does the Presbyterian Church come from?

We trace our origins to the Protestant Reformation and John Calvin, one of the great reformers of the 16th century, in Geneva Switzerland. John Knox, a student of Calvin’s, founded the Church of Scotland, which is considered the “mother church” of American Presbyterianism. For more about Presbyterian history, click here.

What do Presbyterians believe?

Presbyterian beliefs emphasize the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Bible, and God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ. Presbyterians are committed to living out our faith at home, at work, and in the public square. For more information about Presbyterian beliefs, click here.

What makes Westminster Church unique?

We are a profoundly caring congregation with a passion for mission in the community. Westminster is small enough that everyone will know your name and large enough to accomplish big things for our neighborhood and community in the name of Christ.