How PCA Complaints Work: Against BCO Amendment Item 12
Item 12 is an amendment to BCO 43 that would require complaints be filed 10 days before a meeting of the court alleged to be in error.
For the sake of argument, even if we grant that the lower court’s procedure should mirror that of the higher court, this amendment misses the mark. Instead of adding a filing deadline, chapter 43 of the BCO ought to be upended and rewritten, particularly adding the complainant’s right to appear and present an argument to... Continue Reading
Two Final Pleas As PCA Presbyteries Vote on the Proposed BCO Amendments
Presbyters are urged to voted in favor of Item 1 and against Item 7
Regarding Item 1: No one is doubting the integrity of a man’s self-description. We believe he rightly owns that description. We believe he is a man of integrity. The major point is whether such a man is eligible to serve as an officer in the PCA. Regarding Item 7: It’s already difficult to get 2... Continue Reading
Researching the Rationales of PCAGA49’s Proposed BCO Amendments
To help recall some of the original arguments in support of these amendments, here is a list of links to the original overtures as submitted by their respective Presbyteries.
We submit this resource with two important caveats. First, many of these proposals from the Presbyteries were amended — and a few almost entirely rewritten — in the Overtures Committee. While the “whereas” statements in the initial forms may help presbyters to remember the original reasons for the amendments, they do not speak to the... Continue Reading
Why the PCA Needs Overture 15
The strength of the BCO language addition proposed by O15 is its clarity and brevity.
The language of O29 and O31 are welcome additions to the BCO. However, they are insufficient. They do not address the issue before us, which is whether a church officer may describe himself as “homosexual.” The proposal put forward by O15 clearly says no. Officers who struggle with same-sex attraction are not “gay” or “homosexual,”... Continue Reading
Celibacy Is Not Enough
To be “above reproach” means at base that chastity is required for all church officers.
The mere abstinence from sodomite conduct – while at the same time speaking about, attending conferences focused on, and writing about one’s sodomite lust – is hardly to be considered “above reproach” (cf. 1 Tim 3), to “adorn the profession of the gospel” (cf. BCO 21-5, 24-6), or to be “free from all taint of... Continue Reading
Homosexuality and the True Division in the PCA
The PCA Ad-Interim Committee on Human Sexuality considered the Side B view and clearly rejected it.
Regarding the meaning of the Overture 15 wording: “This language if inserted in the BCO would not serve to disqualify a man who merely experiences same-sex attraction… it’s a question of how you relate to your same-sex attraction, someone who has repented of their same-sex attraction, who has denied it, is seeking to mortify it... Continue Reading
The Story Behind Overture 15: The Original Intent of Its Author
My intent in drafting Overture 15, the proposed amendment to BCO 7-4, was to deal specifically with those who ‘publicly’ describe themselves as homosexuals.
We all struggle with the darkness of all types of sins. My entire case for submitting the original overture is that the “public” announcement (like in Christianity Today) of constantly struggling with any particular sin disqualifies a man from holding office in the church. The key word here is not the word “struggles” or even... Continue Reading
Clarity on PCA Overture 15
Overture 15 doesn't do what you think it does. Its focus is quite narrow.
Overture 15 would not declare the mere presence of homosexual desire to be disqualifying. While there may be a minority within the PCA who would bar anyone from office who confesses unnatural lust, overture 15 would not do that. Overture 15 is narrowly focused on barring from church office any man who describes, characterizes, or... Continue Reading
The Crux of the Matter in the PCA Deaconess Debate
The issue is not the permissibility and desirability of deaconesses; the real concern is that it is a sin to say one thing and then do another when taking ordination vows.
The real concern is that it is a sin to say one thing and then do another. The PCA has published a Book of Church Order to show its members how it organizes itself and conducts its affairs. Our officers are required to swear that they approve our form of government; that they will submit... Continue Reading
Look at the PCA Book (of Church Order)
Church members would benefit from the BCO’s wisdom; it can be of great use and value to lay believers in forming their thoughts about the church in its operation.
I challenge you to consider the BCO in light of what the Bible says about the church. Read it carefully and deliberately. If you disagree with a statement made in its pages, ask why, and investigate further. Ask your pastor and elders about it. Order pleases the Lord, and he desires for his people to... Continue Reading
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