CPNC - Seiferth Statement of Faith | Northminster Presbyterian Church

Pastor Pete was raised in the Presbyterian Church and deepened his commitment to faith during his time as an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona, where he studied Anthropology and Religious Studies. He earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Austin Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Fuller Theological Seminary. Pete was ordained in 2001 at his home congregation of Valley Presbyterian Church (Paradise Valley, AZ) before serving Central Presbyterian Church in Longmont, CO. He has served in a variety of presbytery leadership roles, including Moderator, and most recently has been a member of the Presbytery’s Commission on Ministry for six years.

Pastor Pete will be familiar to some of you because of his sixteen years of service as Associate Pastor at Northminster (2005-2021). During this season of his ministry, Pete worked closely with ministry colleagues and congregants to live out NPC’s call to follow and serve Jesus in our church. Pastor Pete strengthened discipleship and spiritual formation efforts, built a youth confirmation program, helped us develop multicultural and refugee-focused ministries, taught, led worship, and preached. He was instrumental in collaborating with refugee brothers and sisters and NPC leadership to build and nurture our Arise congregation.

After many fruitful years of ministry at Northminster, Pete sensed God’s call to serve as Interim Senior Pastor/Head of Staff of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tucson during a challenging season in the life of that congregation (2021-2024). His time at St. Andrew’s was a period of growth for him as a leader who supervised staff, moderated session, oversaw worship planning, and led a myriad of other aspects of congregational life. When his time at St. Andrew’s came to an end, Pete accepted the role of Executive Director for Tucson Refugee Ministry (TRM), a local non-profit that educates, equips, and mobilizes the Church to serve refugees in our community and beyond. In this role, which he holds currently, he oversees a staff of fifteen and leads an organization with over 700 volunteers.

Pastor Pete’s leadership in these other contexts has strengthened his readiness for the role of Co-Pastor at Northminster Church. The CPNC identified key experiences and qualities that have equipped Pastor Pete to lead our congregation. He is an experienced and seasoned leader with a pastoral heart. He is a thoughtful bridge-builder who values humility and authenticity. He is a strong collaborator as he seeks to guide those he leads toward shared goals. He has a deep commitment to building relationships with members of our congregation, strengthening discipleship that equips all Jesus followers for their unique calling. He approaches his leadership roles with humility and prayer, as well as joy and a sense of humor.

Pastor Pete is blessed to have the support and love of his family. Pete and Lori Seiferth, who met as students at the University of Arizona, will celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary in May. Lori is in her twelfth year as a high school mathematics teacher at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy. Their son Caden is a 2024 graduate of Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business, lives in Tempe, and works as a client specialist for Baird Private Wealth Management in Scottsdale. Their son Brennon is a first-year student at Samford University in Birmingham, AL majoring in kinesiology as part of a six-year program culminating in a Doctor of Physical Therapy. They also have two senior Labradoodles, Austin (13) and Oliver (12) who continue to bring life and joy to their household.

I place my faith in the one triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the sovereign Creator of all that is seen and unseen, who alone is holy and worthy of worship. Humanity was perfectly created in the image of God to glorify and live in joyful communion with God for eternity. Human sin corrupted God’s image in us, with terrible consequences. Instead of relational unity between God, humanity, and creation, there is enmity and alienation. Instead of seeking after the One I most need, my sin nature rebels, leading me to seek the way of the flesh, the world, and the devil.

I believe that Jesus Christ, co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is the Word made flesh. The incarnation is God’s act of self-revelation, whereby Jesus is the image of the invisible God, fully human and fully divine. As my Prophet, Jesus calls me out of disobedience to a right relationship with God and to holy and just living. As my Priest, Jesus mercifully rescues me, a sinner, by bearing the wrath of God’s judgment and the wages my sin deserves. As my King, Jesus rose victoriously over death, and reigns sovereignly and providentially as my Lord and Savior.

The good news of the gospel is that through Jesus' gracious life, death, and resurrection, I have been saved with wonderful consequences. Christ has claimed me and has established a union with a love that cannot be broken and which will never let me go.

I believe the Holy Spirit is God, present and active as our Advocate who brings awareness of sin, leads us to repentance, and empowers our faith to seek and obey the will of God. The Holy Spirit illumines God's revealed Word in the prophetic and apostolic witness of the Old and New Testaments.

The Holy Spirit enables me to live daily in communion with Christ: dying to myself, claiming the new identity of one who belongs to Christ, living in joy, and walking in a manner worthy of the gospel.

I believe the Church is the Body of Christ, the embodiment of Christ’s continued action in the world as a covenant and missionary community of gifted individuals. As Christ’s mouth, the Church proclaims the gospel of salvation by grace through faith. As Christ’s hands and feet, the Church walks in paths of justice, mercy, and reconciliation. As the community of the called and sent, our public life serves as a sign, witness, foretaste, and instrument of God’s Kingdom, inviting others to live under Christ’s reign.

In our life together, the Church testifies to the truth of the gospel through spiritual practices, including worship, the sacraments, prayer, study, hospitality, stewardship, listening, and service. The universal Church includes followers of Jesus from all nations, cultures, and traditions, who may express their faith in diverse ways, but who are united in Christ. Local congregations are Jesus’ covenant people living in distinctive contexts, transforming communities and culture according to the gospel.

The sacraments are practices instructed by Jesus, given to the church as a means of embodying the grace and love of God, signifying the unity of Christ and his Church. Baptism is the sign and the seal of God's washing away of sin and receiving us into the covenant family. The Lord's Supper nourishes our faith as it is the sign and a seal of our communion with Christ through his gracious sacrifice on the cross.

I trust in the promised fulfillment of all things in Christ and yearn for the day when there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, as God wipes every tear from our eyes.

I am overjoyed to be a part of God’s dynamic mission in the world. It is my greatest privilege to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, participating in His work of restoration and reconciliation until He comes again in glory.

- Rev. Dr. Pete Seiferth