You Reap What You Sow: The PCA’s Internal Difficulties and Membership Losses
For some time now in the PCA there has been a tendency to normalize and make acceptable the experience of certain unmentionable sexual desires by failing to meaningfully combat them.
Hopefully I am wrong on that point, but to pivot back from the hypothetical to the real, the fact remains that the PCA, like the broader church in America, is not flourishing at the moment and is beset with real problems. If we wish to receive God’s blessing, we shall have to rely on his... Continue Reading
A Plea for Patience in the PCA (2)
Now is the time to continue to contend for the faith and uphold the PCA Constitution.
Patience does not mean we simply tolerate deviant practices that violate our church constitution. We must continue to highlight these public actions and compare them to what we have confessed as a Church and agreed to uphold. As we do this, we should pray all our brethren will live with integrity before God and man and... Continue Reading
The Church’s Two Laws
There is more to becoming an officer than the laying on of hands by the elders — vows are the other essential part of officer-making.
Moral issues of officers generally get more attention than process and polity peccadilloes. But what about when someone says, “We’re not following the rules because a lot of people don’t follow the rules, and we don’t think you’re going to stop us”? What about when the seeming law of what’s allowed begins to damage the... Continue Reading
A Plea for Patience in the PCA (1)
Those in the PCA grieving because of the divisions caused by deviations from our Standards have cause for concern, but greater cause to labor patiently and faithfully within the PCA.
Calvin understood the zeal of true religion can be patient, but the rage of unbelief acts hastily. Calvin’s demeanor and his patient plodding are instructive for our present moment in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). We should not expect the theological and practical deviations from our Standards to be dealt with speedily. But that... Continue Reading
Mainline Presbyterianism & the LGBTQ Movement
PCA is on dangerous ground if we do not incorporate more robust language in our BCO regarding issues of sexual sin for church officers.
As we in the PCA continue to deliberate about contentious and important matters of human sexuality – and about homosexuality in particular – we will hear the well-worn arguments, “We have the study report…We have the Bible…We have the Book of Church Order. We don’t need added clarity when we have so many resources that... Continue Reading
Overture 15 Is Dead – Should We Now Leave the PCA?
Overture 15 would have codified the position that Side B homosexuals will not be allowed to be ordained as officers in the PCA.
For numerous reasons it is my belief that now is not the time to leave the PCA, and I would encourage churches and teaching elders contemplating such action to stay and “fight the good fight.” I would encourage more churches to become actively involved in both their presbyteries and at the General Assembly level. The... Continue Reading
Concerning Professions of Public Orthodoxy: A Somber Reflection Occasioned by the Recent Stover-Semper Ref Controversy
What was the end result of Missouri’s debating and investigating of Revoice and Memorial? They accomplished nothing beneficial, at least as far as the PCA as a whole is concerned.
In sum, LeCroy was wrong and did well to retract his claims and apologize, and Stover was right to publicly oppose him. But in the process he stumbled and suggested things are more hopeful than they are just now. For it is written that we will know men by their fruits (Matt. 7:15-20), and who... Continue Reading
Overture 15 Has Failed. It’s Time to Reconsider the Nature of the Debate
Who decides what temptations are disqualifying for church office? Temptations to do what is contrary to nature and to do what is so displeasing to God ought to be deemed disqualifying.
Under both the old and new covenants God has denied people office (and sometimes more) on account of things that are outside of their conscious control. Why? Because the offices in question belong to God and he may give them or forbid them to whomever he pleases for whatever reasons he pleases. That is inherent... Continue Reading
Overture 9 from Arizona Presbytery Asks the 50th PCA GA to Amend BCO 7 By Adding a New Paragraph
Arizona Presbytery asks the 50th PCA General Assembly to “Amend BCO 7 to Codify the Biblical Standard for Church Officers Related to Human Sexuality”
Arizona Presbytery approved an overture at its January 19,2023 meeting, asking the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America to “Amend BCO 7 to Codify the Biblical Standard for Church Officers Related to Human Sexuality” In 2022, the 49th General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) , approved sending... Continue Reading
Update on Votes on PCA Book of Church Order Amendments: Overtures 8 and 15 Have Failed
Overture 15, disqualifying from church office men who describe themselves as homosexuals, and Overture 8, on higher courts assuming original jurisdiction, failed to receive approval of 2/3 of the presbyteries.
As of February 4, 2023, at least 69 presbyteries have voted and the results thus far indicate that ten of the proposed amendments have received the necessary approval 2/3 of presbyteries, receiving at least 59 presbyteries voting in favor. Two of the amendments were not approved, with Overture 15 garnering approval from 57% of the... Continue Reading
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