“Governing bodies are no longer ‘separate and independent,’ but instead are ‘interconnected’ in a hierarchical structure in which powers of presbyteries are significantly increased while powers of sessions and congregations are greatly diminished. The new Form of Government (nFOG) has been approved by a majority of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s 173 presbyteries. nFOG, approved by... Continue Reading

“I don’t have any reason for alarm,” he said. “However, there is something wrong with school districts that say ‘yes’ to other community groups and no to churches just because they have a religious expression.” Pastor Erin Kerr and his church congregation have been meeting every Sunday since a few weeks before Easter for all... Continue Reading

While the definition of a PCUSA governing body in the Book of Order establishes such bodies – a presbytery or synod – as geographical, the Santa Barbara Presbytery hopes that its proposal would allow churches within the synod’s boundaries to become member churches of the Santa Barbara cluster In the weeks following the historic change... Continue Reading

The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Christian Reformed Church in North America announced today that it has appointed Rev. Joel Boot to be the denomination’s interim executive director. The appointment is effective immediately for a term of two years. The board will ask Synod 2011 to ratify the appointment when it meets, starting later... Continue Reading

While George W. Bush campaigned for office and after he became president of the United States, his Methodist pastor in Dallas refused to talk with the news media. Why? He put serving the spiritual needs of his flock first, and that meant not exploiting a high-profile church member for a moment of fame. Former Minnesota... Continue Reading

The newly-elected Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast will attend the opening night of the Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly on Monday after an invitation from the church. Editor’s Note: Sinn Fein is an Irish Republican party. Its objective is to end British rule in Ireland. It seeks national self-determination, the unity and independence of Ireland... Continue Reading

It is never easy to predict what topics will prompt vigorous debate during the Christian Reformed Church’s annual synod (leadership meeting). There are plenty of choices this year: Proposed revisions to the translations of the Reformed confessions Allowing baptized children to take communion without making profession of faith The revised Form of Subscription Writings of... Continue Reading

Heresy trials need to be open to avoid the unfairness, on the one hand, of inquisition or star-chamber proceedings, and, on the other hand, a whitewash that may occur among sympathizers shielded from open scrutiny. As readers of Aquila Report are aware, a commission of the Pacific Northwest Presbytery (PCA) began a doctrinal trial Friday... Continue Reading

Despite a devastating blow to its property rights by an appeals court, an Oregon church plans to continue to fight a legal battle they say may set precedent for other churches. One month after the Oregon Court of Appeals granted title of Hope Presbyterian Church’s 52-year-old building to the Presbyterian Church (USA), the church’s pastor... Continue Reading

A second Kirk (Church of Scotland) minister has announced that he is to quit the Church of Scotland over its controversial decision to move towards permitting openly homosexual clergy. The Rev Andrew Coghill, whose church is in the Outer Hebrides, was among traditionalists who spoke out during last week’s General Assembly – the governing body... Continue Reading