Likewise, I departed from the PCA’s General Assembly with concerns and frustrations, as usual.  But I am grateful to the Lord to serve in a denomination that continues to occupy its vital spiritual real estate at the crossroads of evangelicalism and Calvinism. I agreed with the fraternal delegate from the OPC, who commented that what America is to worldwide Christianity, the PCA is to the Reformed world. Thus I believe that the broader church needs a strong PCA. Moreover, an encroaching and even menacing secularism calls us to make every faithful effort to stay together and work out our remaining differences.

Having read a number of assessments of the 44th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), it occurs to me that one’s perspective, as usual, has a shaping effect on one’s view. My own perspective arises largely from having had the privilege to serve on the Overtures Committee, which presents much of the important business to the floor of the Assembly. This was my fourth tour on Overtures and it was by far the best experience I have had on the committee.

One reason why the Overtures Committee acted in such a collegial and gracious manner is that our primary business involved a matter on which we were highly united: deliberating the many overtures committing the PCA to racial reconciliation. Differing opinions on Overtures came with their concerns and, to a high degree, an amended version (Overture 43 from Potomac Presbytery) was sent to the floor that addressed all these concerns.
I heartily agree with my friend Terry Johnson that the PCA’s confessing and repenting of racial sins which existed during the time of our founding was long overdue. The most heart-warming moments of the Overtures Committee and the Assembly took place as many of our African American brothers expressed their grateful appreciation. In my view, the goal of the assembly’s statement was whole-heartedly to say to them, “We are so sorry, and we mean it.”

Leon Brown’s Assembly wrap-up is an example and it is, as Terry said, good for the soul both to confess and forgive. The soul of the PCA was blessed by the 44th General Assembly! Terry expresses concern, however, that the addition of the words “current sins” suggests that no substantial progress has been made. I will only say that this language was deemed necessary by the consensus of the Overtures Committee, due to lingering attitudes that many have experienced. But this should not suggest a denial of seismic progress in the PCA. The very fact of the racial reconciliation overture, together with the vital leadership provided by African American commissioners to this assembly, shows exactly the opposite. I do not believe that the impression given by this Assembly was that of a retrenched racist denomination-quite the opposite! All members of the PCA should feel grateful satisfaction both that our denomination made a manful and godly confession and that our aggrieved brothers have received it with such satisfaction.

The most contentious issue at the Assembly was the creation of a study committee to consider women’s roles in ministry. Given the way that gender roles have served as a battering ram against the walls of biblical authority in so many Protestant denominations, progressives should not be surprised that conservatives feel threatened by this initiative. Moreover, conservatives were alarmed that this motion originated not from a presbytery but from the denominational headquarters and were distressed when the moderator overruled a procedural objection against the action. Actual events should relieve much of this anxiety, however, as our well-respected moderator appointed a study committee that is amply stocked with complementarian stalwarts.

I am on record as opposing revisions to the PCA’s polity when it comes to women in ordained office (e.g. see this post), and I voted against the study committee. I was also distressed to see a contentious matter like this come from the top in a denomination that has been committed to a bottom-up polity, and I signed the protest against the moderator’s ruling. Yet, without wishing to prejudice the study committee’s work, I will be astonished if it recommends the ordination of women to the office of deacon. This would be a truly divisive movement and I believe it is contrary to the majority view of our denomination. Moreover, the practice of some churches to install but not ordain women to diaconal service is already permitted by the language of our Book of Church Order (BCO) and churches have been practicing this in the PCA since its expansion in 1982. In short, churches on the left that demand women’s ordination to office and those on the right who cannot tolerate women’s non-ordained service with diaconates will have voted with their feet long before now. In my view, concerned PCA members should prayerfully support the work of this study committee, with what I think is a reasonable hope of a helpful and minimally provocative outcome.

So how do I assess the 2016 General Assembly of the PCA? I see our denomination consolidating around its current positions and compromises.

Read More