The overture proposed an amendment to our Form of Government which sought to clarify the difference between examinations for licensure and those for ordination. The overture proposed that the exams for licensure be restricted to the Westminster Confession of Faith. While CCE was sympathetic with the aims of the overture, it argued that there was... Continue Reading

The candidate believed he could meet those standards. Cliff Smith, a spokesman for Erskine, declined to name the candidate, but said that he withdrew because, based on “the views of some board members and church members, he felt he would be in the position of creating tension or dissension and further conflict” at the college... Continue Reading

Biblically, the “vitals of religion” must include more than the five points of Calvinistic soteriology. This is no longer an issue of ecclesiastical power or of male chauvinism. We need a biblical cosmology, a clear statement of how the world is made that can answer both the feminist and LGBT dismissal of gender, behind which... Continue Reading

Should the General Assembly vote to receive the Minority Report, it would not be clear what we are actually recommending to our churches. In fact, the message would be inherently contradictory. The Minority Report is offered as a supplement to the Committee Report, affirming that “the majority has already done significant, able work with which... Continue Reading

There would be an eight-month delay on all cases decided at the SJC’s fall stated meeting each October.  In its report to the Houston GA this year, the SJC is reporting decisions in 10 cases and all were unanimous except one (and that one was 18-1).  Despite that unanimity, each of those cases would be... Continue Reading

The OPC is in its 39th year of partnership with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) through Great Commission Publications (GCP). Recently, GCP appointed Mr. Marvin Padgett its executive director. Mr. Padgett addressed the assembly and outlined some of the changes happening at GCP, particularly its website redesign and a new curriculum based on John... Continue Reading

George Cottenden, who has served for four years as stated clerk, is retiring from this position at this assembly. Rev. Ross Graham, former associate general secretary of Home Missions and Church Extension, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Cottenden. Mr. Graham assumed this position immediately after Mr. Cottenden gave his stated clerk’s report. The assembly... Continue Reading

The delegates gave consideration to a nomination for the position of a mission coordinator.  After careful discussion concerning the role of and nomination for this position, Synod moved to an interview of one nomination for the position, Rev. Richard Bout. After the interview and deliberation, Synod, by significant majority, elected Rev. Richard Bout to be the first missions coordinator... Continue Reading

In 2013, the GA dealt with part two of the study committee’s report. This report was a 163-page in-depth study of the history of missions and the Insider Movement, interaction with Scripture and Reformed theology, with recommendations for churches to help them in their evangelistic and mission outreach. There was also a 65-page minority report... Continue Reading

Do the CanRCs and URCs have a common covenant theology? If the two presentations made in this colloquium are truly representative of both the Three Forms of Unity as well as our ministers, then I believe the answer is yes on the main outline, while in terms of the details, expressions, nuances, and practicality of... Continue Reading