The preachers whose names have endured most powerfully across the centuries are very often the ones who fought hardest against their own legacy in their own lifetimes. Whitefield, Calvin, Edwards, and others all share this instinct. They wanted Christ to be the only Name lifted up. The Lord, in His providence, has often kept their... Continue Reading

Although some among us would defend both biblically and historically the practice of referring to lay volunteers as deacons or deaconesses, others find this to be a distressing refusal to abide by the BCO as currently written. Overture 71 would prohibit this nomenclature even more clearly than the BCO currently does. However, keeping the lay... Continue Reading

Words matter, and the words we use matter when we talk about Christ’s Church. The Book of Church Order can be unclear to many people, and even long term BCO students disagree over particular portions. We should not make it more difficult by conflating terms and words. BCO 9–7 is extremely clear, and if the Session desires to have... Continue Reading

In many contexts, “system subscription” has functioned as a kind of theological minimalism. It has been an appeal to broad doctrinal agreement while allowing quiet divergence on particulars. It can, at times, shift the point of authority from the church to the individual. But the PCA’s approach resists that move. The “system” is not self-defined... Continue Reading

Each ordained officer has vowed, “Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general principles of biblical polity?”…We must not strike at Christ’s structure or remove the officers He has appointed.   As I continue to unpack my arguments for why I believe my... Continue Reading

We may recognize saints in churches that have lady pastors. We may recognize real pastors in churches that have lady pastors. But we may not recognize the ordination of those lady pastors. We may recognize the ordination of the colleagues of those lady pastors. But it introduces disunity into the church to sit under the... Continue Reading

The ‘Selected Writings of Benjamin Morgan Palmer’ recounts the experiences of a dedicated pastor who served his denomination faithfully. Even though twenty-first century ministers might think they are beyond learning from an old book containing wisdom from an experienced nineteenth-century pastor, the articles show that the work of shepherding is essentially the same today as... Continue Reading

What’s most important in church life is not getting all our ecclesiological ducks in a row. It’s the glad worship of Jesus, the thrill of the soul in Jesus. Knowing and enjoying him is the surpassing value, not being a healthy church. Brothers, you can get your ecclesiology almost right, and get Christianity just about... Continue Reading

There is a deep need, especially among young men, for confidence that the things they are being taught are not fads, not just therapeutic self-help. There has grown up a strong desire to be part of a church that is rooted in an historic Christian tradition. And while there should be some warning that tradition... Continue Reading

When we treat sin lightly, we treat grace lightly. But when our sins are confessed in public worship with the help of the Scripture and the grace of our Redeemer is rehearsed using God’s own words, it seems obvious to me that true worshipers must be the more likely to gain a deeper sense of... Continue Reading