If you have heard some voices sounding an alarm that the PCA is on a steep “slippery slope” that leads to liberalism, we disagree.  Any claim that we are becoming a denomination of liberals or have embraced an agenda that is out of accord with historic Presbyterian and Reformed Christianity fails to either understand our denominational history, our shared and variegated Reformed theology, or both.  We do not know of a single pastor or ruling elder in the PCA who could be described as theologically liberal.

June 16, 2021

Dear fellow Commissioners to the 48th PCA General Assembly,

In a few days we will gather in St. Louis to worship, have fellowship, and conduct the business of our beloved denomination.  Those of us who have signed this letter are former Moderators of past General Assemblies.  From our perspective, the PCA has maintained a firm commitment to historic evangelical and Reformed theology since its foundation.

This commitment has been sustained, humanly speaking, by at least two factors. First, we have an increasing number of well-trained pastors and leaders who are deeply committed to sound doctrine and passionate about the life-changing power of the Gospel and sharing it with our lost and dying world. These pastors labor alongside faithful elders on Sessions and Presbyteries in obedience to the Great Commission. Second, we have denominational institutions and agencies that have taken seriously the challenge to bring the unchanging word of God’s grace in Jesus Christ to a changing world.

This unwavering commitment to Scripture and Reformed theology has not meant that we have been ethically perfect.  We have not and there is much work to be done in dealing honestly with our past failures and current sin. We do believe that these are difficult days in the United States.  There is a growing hostility toward God and the Church. Now is the time for us to be drawn together as a united witness of the grace of God so necessary in our secular age.  It would be a tragedy, in our opinion, if we were fractured by fear, unsubstantiated accusations, or needless quarrels.

If you have heard some voices sounding an alarm that the PCA is on a steep “slippery slope” that leads to liberalism, we disagree.  Any claim that we are becoming a denomination of liberals or have embraced an agenda that is out of accord with historic Presbyterian and Reformed Christianity fails to either understand our denominational history, our shared and variegated Reformed theology, or both.  We do not know of a single pastor or ruling elder in the PCA who could be described as theologically liberal.

Yes, there is a spectrum of differences that exists within the PCA, but it is totally within the bounds of historic Reformed Christianity and Presbyterian polity.  The differences reflected along the spectrum are not doctrinal in nature.  They are simply differences in philosophy of ministry, worship style, and ministry focus.  We believe that as a denomination our commitment to purity of doctrine and personal piety remains strong and unifies us.

If you have heard some voices sounding an alarm that the PCA is on the precipice of drastic ecclesiastical change, we disagree.  In recent years we have had study committees on women serving, as Scripture instructs, in the ministry of the Church as well as how the Bible addresses human sexuality. Committee members representing a broad swath of the denomination produced consensus reports that are faithful to Scripture. Their work has been widely praised from all corners of the PCA.

Alarms disturb us by design. They may disturb us to stand up out of bed, to rise up from our seats and move to the exit, or to watch for inclement weather. But the sounding of an alarm is only as helpful as the underlying cause. For example, if a fire alarm triggers an exit from a burning building it saves lives. But if that same fire alarm triggers an exit for burned popcorn it wastes time and energy. When you hear alarm being raised about the PCA through social media, in a meeting or conference with others, or from an observer sharing their concern – we urge you to evaluate carefully the underlying cause.

We urge you to prepare yourself spiritually as well as mentally for our General Assembly.  Please join us in prayer that we, as commissioners, will be ruled by faith, not fear; that we will be gracious and loving as we conduct the business before us; and that we will all be honest and fair as we discuss our disagreements.  Then, join us in praying that our Lord Jesus Christ, the King and Head of the Church, will graciously pour out his Spirit of grace and truth upon us as we meet; and that he would graciously restrain our common enemy, Satan, from dividing us and thereby doing great harm to our witness to the watching world.

Let us not forget what our Lord Jesus Christ has told us: “A new command I give to you that you love one another.  By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another (John 13:34-35).”  May he be pleased by the love and respect that we have for one another in St. Louis.  And may he graciously preserve our fellowship.

With love for Christ and his Church,
Your brothers in Christ

RE Mark Belz, Moderator
19th General Assembly
Birmingham, AL

RE Richard Hostetter, Moderator
21st General Assembly
Columbia, SC

RE Frank Brock, Moderator
23rd General Assembly
Dallas, TX

TE Kennedy Smartt, Moderator
26th General Assembly
St. Louis, MO

RE E. J. Nusbaum, Moderator
35th General Assembly
Memphis, TN

RE Brad Bradley, Moderator
37th General Assembly
Orlando, FL

RE Jim Wert, Moderator
43rd General Assembly
Chattanooga, TN

TE Irwyn Ince, Moderator
46th General Assembly
Atlanta, GA

TE Wilson Benton, Moderator
20th General Assembly
Roanoke, VA

TE Will Barker, Moderator
22nd General Assembly
Atlanta, GA

TE Charles McGowan, Moderator
24th General Assembly
Fort Lauderdale, FL

RE Joel Belz, Moderator
31st General Assembly
Charlotte, NC

TE Paul Kooistra, Moderator
36th General Assembly
Dallas, TX

RE Bruce Terrell, Moderator
41st General Assembly
Greenville, SC

RE Alex Jun, Moderator
45th General Assembly
Greensboro, NC

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