An examining governing body may not allow a candidate to exercise her freedom of conscience if doing so ‘ignore(s) or waive(s) a specific standard of behavior that has been adopted by the whole church such as the ‘fidelity and chastity’” requirement. A complaint is again before the Synod of the Pacific’s Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC)... Continue Reading

The task force was charged to bring a report and recommendations to the denomination concerning how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission. Southern Baptists need to repent of their pride, boasting and disunity and return to God and His vision. That was the sobering call... Continue Reading

Unspoken rules and social convention once kept the gunfire out of churches, and street criminals would often show deference to the very old and very young. But recent shootings suggest a change. Take off your hood in a house of God. Many thought that on Sunday afternoon, when three men in dark sweatshirts strode into... Continue Reading

Charges of slander were brought before a lower court by the private security company, SETECH, stemming from ASJ’s investigation into the death Dionisio Diaz Garcia, a human rights lawyer who worked for ASJ. Christian Reformed Church in North America officials have sent a letter to leaders of the government in Honduras, asking that a Calvin... Continue Reading

Highlights: 43 % members over 65, 27% female pastors. 2/3 members and 1/2 of Elders are female; 40% live in South; 96% white; 2/3 college grads; 44% report a conversion experience Nearly half of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members (43 percent) are age 65 or older and a larger percentage of pastors than ever (27 percent)... Continue Reading

The purpose of the Called Meeting is to hear a report of a special commission to investigate problems in the governance of the denominations College and Seminary (both bearing the name Erskine) located in Due West, SC. As previously reported on The Aquila Report, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) has called a highly unusually... Continue Reading

Recently, I was privileged to help with the awesome Career Transition Support Ministry at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brighton Township, Michigan. The program has evolved since its beginning. Its current components include an eight-week session covering a range of relevant topics, supplemented by other optional resources, such as counseling on budgeting and finances, and... Continue Reading

All other guests, including corresponding members and a reporter from The Layman were forced to leave, out of concern that their presence would impede the business of the presbytery on the “sensitive issue.” Behind closed doors, John Knox Presbytery voted 81-25 to ordain Scott Anderson, a gay man who 20 years ago gave up his... Continue Reading

Holy Trinity Anglican gets its start at facilities of Ortega Presbyterian, a PCA congregation. Two pastors named David have joined forces in Ortega. The Rev. David Burke, pastor for 14 years at Ortega Presbyterian Church, is helping the Rev. David Austell launch Holy Trinity Anglican Fellowship. After the ordination of a gay bishop a few... Continue Reading

“We have placed far too much value on our buildings and it is hindering our ability to respond appropriately to what God is doing in the midst of a struggling economy.” According to a recent study by the Barna Research Group, church leaders are more willing to cut spending, let go of staff and reduce... Continue Reading