This year’s Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) General Assembly had the potential to be one of the most significant in the history of the PCA, but it did not live up to its full potential. Nonetheless, this was a successful Assembly as it largely continued the status quo of the last five years or so: upholding our... Continue Reading

The Assembly completed the amendment process to clarify how presbyteries deal with transitional pastors ordained in other denominations, entered into a fraternal partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, amended its Rules of Assembly to clarify how business is to be received by the General Assembly, and instructed the Permanent Committee on Theology to review... Continue Reading

Here is what concerns me.  The Statement says that I am not allowed to hold a view that “posits superiority of race or ethnic identity born of immutable human characteristics.” Of course, I believe that all men and races are equal as being partakers of the image of God, that all men and races are... Continue Reading

That the 52nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America does hereby join with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (221st General Synod) and with the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America (193rd Synod) in condemning without distinction any theological or political teaching which posits a superiority of race or ethnic identity born of immutable... Continue Reading

By the end of this third Chattanooga Assembly, many of the PCA founding cultural interests and efforts to avoid centralization were distant memories. With strong efforts, the conservatives who sought to bring the high-level officers more in line with certain notions had some success. Moreover, the progressive wing seemed more determined and efficient than ever... Continue Reading

The Assembly continued its work hearing reports, debating, and approving recommendations.   The Assembly reconvened at 8:30 a.m. and heard the report from the Cooperative Ministries Committee and then the report from the Review of Presbytery Records. You can read about RPR’s work here. After debates on several items pertaining to individual presbyteries, the report... Continue Reading

TE Kevin DeYoung was elected to serve as moderator. The Assembly heard various reports including those from the Stated Clerk, the Review of Presbytery Reports, and the Standing Judicial Commission. Four BCO amendments were ratified, and the Overtures Committee made recommendations on several overtures.   The Assembly opened with a worship service. Ruling Elder Steve... Continue Reading

DeYoung earned his doctoral degree from University of Leicester. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he is associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte. He has also written, edited, or contributed to more than 25 books.   DeYoung is the senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina, where he... Continue Reading

The Overtures Committee on Monday morning convened and elected Ruling Elder Mel Duncan to serve as chairman. Teaching Elder Stephen Spinnenweber was elected vice chairman. The committee made recommendations on the following 20 overtures: Overture 40, “Amend BCO 35-9 to Require Recording All Parts of a Trial,” in the affirmative. The vote was 119-0-1. Overture... Continue Reading

Accountability was slowly developing as the PCA outgrew its cradle. Some were not pleased about this, but fortunately, they were not having their way. The new PCA was emerging. And it was one that would not be crushed by the concerns of caucus groups. The 1995 Assembly certainly did not adopt the Vision Caucus agenda,... Continue Reading