Faith in Action: The 12 Presbyterian Signers

As our nation marks its 250th anniversary this year, we are continuing our look at how faith shaped the birth of America. Last month, we talked about how King George III sneeringly called the American Revolution a "Presbyterian rebellion" because so many early leaders came out of our Reformed tradition.

When the 56 men gathered in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776, twelve of them were Presbyterians: Abraham Clark (NJ), Philip Livingston (NY), Thomas McKean (DE), William Paca (MD), Dr. Benjamin Rush (PA), James Smith (PA), Richard Stockton (NJ), George Taylor (PA), Matthew Thornton (NH), William Whipple (NH), James Wilson (PA), and Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon (NJ).

Only one of those twelve was an ordained minister—the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, president of what is now Princeton University. The other eleven weren't clergy at all. They were lay leaders, church elders, doctors, lawyers, and farmers. They were regular church members who sat in pews on Sunday morning and carried their faith out into the community on Monday.

Here are a few of their stories that inspire me as both a pastor and a fellow American:

1. Faith That Speaks Up: Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon

Witherspoon wasn't just a scholar; he was a pastor at heart who cared deeply about his students and his country. When other delegates at the Continental Congress hesitated to sign the Declaration, Witherspoon urged them forward, declaring that the country was ready. But he also taught that freedom without moral character is dangerous. He reminded people that a free country needs honest, virtuous citizens who honor God in how they treat others.

2. Faith That Heals and Serves: Dr. Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Rush was a devoted Presbyterian elder and a doctor in Philadelphia. He helped found the first African Methodist Episcopal church in Philadelphia, stood up against the evils of slavery, and worked to make sure children from poor families could get a good education. For Dr. Rush, taking care of people’s bodies and fighting for justice weren't separate from his faith—they were his faith in action.

3. Faith That Costs Something: Richard Stockton

Richard Stockton was a successful lawyer and Princeton trustee who put his name on the Declaration. Not long after signing, British troops captured him, treated him harshly, and destroyed his property. He returned home in broken health, but he never regretted standing up for freedom. His life reminds us that doing the right thing isn't always easy or safe, but faith gives us courage when times get tough.

What Can We Learn Today?

These twelve men weren't perfect saints. Like all of us, they were flawed human beings living in a complicated world, wrestling with mistakes and the moral failures of their time.

Yet, their lives remind us of three simple truths that still matter for us today:

• Faith isn't just for Sunday morning. Being a follower of Jesus means bringing Christ's love, honesty, and grace into our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

• We are called to serve. Whether we are teenagers, working adults, or retirees, God gives each of us gifts to make our community a better place.

• Leadership is about accountability. Our Presbyterian heritage teaches us that no leader is above God's law, and true power means serving others with humility.

  
  

As we look around our country today, let's pray that God will use us—just as He used faithful believers generations ago—to be a force for light, kindness, and truth wherever we go.

Looking Ahead to Next Month: Next month, we’ll discover something fun: how the way we run our Presbyterian church meetings actually helped inspire the structure of the U.S. Constitution!

A Prayer for Our Church and Nation: Lord God, thank You for the women and men who came before us, seeking to live out their faith with courage and hope. Help us to learn from their wisdom and from their mistakes. Give us the courage to love our neighbors, speak the truth in love, and shine the light of the Gospel in everything we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.