For the Jews
We must pray for the Jews: that the Lord would deliver the afflicted through their affliction and open their ears through adversity; that the Spirit of God would pour into their broken hearts and make them new.
The present sufferings of our Jewish neighbors have revealed that they are not the only ones with veiled hearts. My heart (maybe yours too?) has been veiled towards the Jews. Paul confessed, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from... Continue Reading
The “Jonesboro 7” Submit to Edicts of Session
When the "Jonesboro 7" appealed their case, the Temporary Session of Elders took an additional step to keep the censure in place during the appeal and then resigned from service to the little church.
Despite the “unfair” process deployed against the Jonesboro 7 by the Temporary Session, the men nonetheless demonstrated the strength of their commitment to the Scripture, to their membership vows, to Presbyterian Church government, and to the Reformed Faith. After the Jonesboro 7 appealed the decision of the Temporary Session to Covenant Presbytery, the Temporary Session... Continue Reading
Two Great Men: John And Martin
The Reformation began 506 years ago, resetting the ministry of the Church since then.
It goes without saying that Reformed Faith churches owe their very existence to John Calvin and Martin Luther. And if such a premise is true, isn’t it worth becoming acquainted with them in a more-than-superficial manner? Do we know anything more about Luther than the fact he nailed 95 theses on a church door? Is... Continue Reading
Covenant Presbytery Denies Appeal of Jonesboro 7 Finding No Errors in Session Trial
A group of Christians in Jonesboro wanted to have a PCA Church in their town. But organizing a church was more difficult than expected, yet God proved abundantly sufficient and able. (Part Four)
It is a most remarkable providence; if one reads the protest against Presbytery’s action to preserve the church plant, the signers represent the elders from Covenant Presbytery’s wealthiest and most influential churches and committees. Yet the speech of a largely unknown, retired former Arkansas church planter was powerfully used by God to change the course... Continue Reading
Listen, Don’t Critique
Our chief responsibility as we carry out the general office of believer is to listen to the preaching of the word, not critique it.
We should realize that we have come to listen to the word so that it would critique us, not so that we could criticize the preaching of it. Such is the difference between listening to the sermon and critiquing it—it’s humility vs. pride. We should also realize that God has established his church in such a... Continue Reading
Trial at IPC Memphis for the “Jonesboro 7”
A group of Christians in Jonesboro wanted to have a PCA Church in their town. But organizing a church was more difficult than expected, yet God proved abundantly sufficient and able. (Part 3)
As Session saw it, the Jonesboro 7 were in rebellion against the will of Christ. But had not told them how they were in rebellion against Christ. At the hearing the SJC Judges would later question how the men would be able to show proper evidence of repentance given the lack of specificity; one SJC judge... Continue Reading
Presbyterian Church in America Celebrates Fifty Years in the Tri-Cities of Tennessee
A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in America’s ministry in the Tri-Cities area.
In June of this year, the PCA General Assembly celebrated its jubilee. Locally, the half-century milestone was marked by a service conducted on October 13th by Westminster Presbytery, the regional body of ministers and churches. Covering southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee, Westminster Presbytery has long had a reputation for its staunch adherence to the standard... Continue Reading
Mainline Slide
The push to accept homosexuality gutted traditional Protestantism. Evangelical churches are headed down the same road.
Evangelical support of same-sex marriage is on the rise. Among white evangelical Protestants, it rose from 11 percent in 2004 to 29 percent in 2019, according to the Pew survey. It also found that 4 in 10 of those who attend religious services once a week now favor same-sex marriage. Stanley’s public statements that conflict with... Continue Reading
Transferring Church Membership is not a Violation of the Presbyterian Church in America’s Membership Vows: A Gentle Rejoinder to an Earnest Man
Acceptable reasons for leaving a local church are not enumerated in any authoritative document that the PCA recognizes.
Believers make their vows to the Church universal, and while they should be supportive of their local churches and not leave one lightly, nonetheless someone who transfers his membership to another local branch of the one Church is not guilty of infidelity to his PCA membership vows. Neither is the promise to submit to the... Continue Reading
Can Ministry Be Unhitched From Theology?
Drawing inclusive circles for image bearers when the Bible defines lines is a slippery slope.
“Unhitching” our doctrine from our pastoral care makes sense if the goal of the Church is simply to help people live better lives. Reducing the Church this way only elevates the self. Ministry, once unhitched from doctrine, devolves into idolatry. Like the golden calf worshiped in the time of the Exodus, it is possible to claim... Continue Reading
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