During the 10 years I have lived in the Carolinas I have had the opportunity to preach in many rural churches. Instead of finding many “traditional” Baptist churches, to my dismay I have encountered numerous churches with practically no theological moorings at all. Many historic churches have had pastors who held to a low view of biblical authority with few doctrinal commitments, and the results have been very damaging.

I'm not saying we're not sinners. We're all sinners. We're born in sin," Charles Wilson said. "But you're not born to hate. No child is born to hate. You have to be taught to hate. When you say come to the church, are the same people that put us out of church still there? How have they changed?"

The Indiana Supreme Court remanded the case of a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation against its presbytery and synod back to a trial court and established Indiana as a “neutral principles of law” state. In the case of the Presbytery of Ohio Valley and the Synod of Lincoln Trails of the Presbyterian Church (USA) vs. Olivet... Continue Reading

They told us in overwhelming numbers that dealing with critics was a huge distraction. To a lesser extent, but still significant, the pastors said conflict among staff and key leaders was a significant distraction as well. The early church, according to Acts 6, was experiencing phenomenal growth. The author, Luke, simply says, “the number of... Continue Reading

Presbyteries will be voting on whether to amend BCO 58-5 by adding this sentence: “As Christ has instituted the Lord’s Supper in two sacramental actions, the communicants are to eat the bread and drink the cup in separate actions.” Summer is winding down and soon our Presbyterian Church in America Presbyteries will consider a proposed... Continue Reading

"The session of FPCH objects in the strongest possible terms to the Board of Pensions providing benefits to same-sex partners. This is contrary to both Scripture and the confessions. We sent our first objections to this policy in a letter to the BOP after the [2010 General Assembly], and we continue to maintain these objections. The only possible recourse we see is a relief of conscience, but even then only if there is a clear demarcation of funds.”

In 1893 (they) began a college for young women. Their motivation for beginning Chicora College for Young Ladies may have been the establishment of Presbyterian College for men in 1890. While they were negotiating for land on River Street, Chicora classes began on McBee Avenue. After 1896, the school was controlled by Presbyteries of South Carolina and Georgia… After Chicora was established, it supported Second Presbyterian to minister to the students.

In two-thirds of all congregations and nine in ten PC(USA) congregations, the key pastoral leader has earned a master’s degree. Women lead one-quarter of PC(USA) congregations, as well as one-quarter of mainline Protestant congregations, but only 12 percent of all congregations.

Would I, if given the opportunity, want to go back to the '50s and '60s and live in that golden era of Southern Baptist life? Not in a heartbeat, and here is why: While I sometimes envy those pastors who lived and worked during that time of growth and prosperity, hindsight tells me their approach to theology and polity was somewhat one-dimensional, and their mission orientation was simplistic and lacking.

The church, which claims 15,000 regular attendees, posted a news release on its website stating that Schaap was dismissed "due to a sin that has caused him to forfeit his right to be our pastor. ... Our church grieves over the need to take this action and the impact it will have on our people."