Report on the 49th PCA General Assembly
The PCA General Assembly, meeting in Birmingham, Ala., from June 20-23, 2022, had the largest registration of any previous GA with over 2300 commissioners.
Overtures 15 & 29: Strengthening Character Requirements for Ordination. The Assembly voted by a wide margin to amend BCO Chapter 16 to clarifying that officers, “…must affirm the sinfulness of fallen desires, the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, and be committed to the pursuit of Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions”... Continue Reading
Some Early Reactions to the 49th PCA General Assembly
Is the need for energized holiness being replaced by quiet piety? Is therapeutic theology, under the guise of love, replacing the gracious teaching of the Law of God?
Even though the PCA consists of men who love the Lord and love our standards, it is greatly divided. The future still looks dim, but light continues to shine in the most unusual places at the most inopportune times. I attribute this to fervent prayer. Never discount the providence of God to change things. My... Continue Reading
Can the Church Still Enact Justice When a Pastor Sues His Accusers?
The PCA takes up the case of a church leader who responded to sexual harassment claims with a defamation lawsuit against his accusers.
Dan Herron, a PCA pastor—or teaching elder—accused of sexual harassment, says the women making claims against him are lying and has sued them for defamation. Several presbyteries have passed measures requesting the PCA intervene. “For an accused teaching elder to sue his accusers in a civil court—it is ugly,” said Steve Marusich, a pastor in... Continue Reading
My Hope and Vision For The Future of The Presbyterian Church in America
A ruling elder’s perspective on the overall future ministry of the PCA.
Let’s admit that General Assembly is the easy part. The great task of shepherding is the hardest task we have as elders, and the one in which so many of us, (myself included) fall short. God help us be the kind of elders he would have us to be for the sake of Christ, his... Continue Reading
Response to Bennie Castle’s “Lessons Learned? Allegations at the OPC General Assembly” (Revised)
If Presbyterianism is confused with procedure, it will prove to be hollow and devoid of the heart-warming pastoral shepherding that is embedded in a genuine Presbyterianism.
I share Mr. Castle’s criticism of social media, though he and I may have distinctly different takes on the criticism. But, nonetheless, we should both confess that sins of the tongue can be like a fire, they spread rapidly in a negative and as well in a positive culture. The rapid response of the... Continue Reading
Lessons Learned? Allegations at the OPC General Assembly
Setting the record straight and highlighting for the OPC that what they need now, more than ever, is to double down on following their Presbyterian principles.
The major lesson from this assembly on this matter is that we need to double down on our Presbyterian principles. Witnesses and evidence with biblical process for those who are guilty and vindication for those who have been falsely charged. This has always been the Presbyterian way and is doubly necessary in the negative world.... Continue Reading
Reading the Domestic & Sexual Abuse Study Committee Report
The Presbyterian Church in America’s Ad Interim Committee (AIC) on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Abuse (DASA) recently released its Report to be presented at the 49th General Assembly later this month.
The first section of the Report does a wonderful job of upholding our understanding of what is required in the Moral Law, both in what is forbidden by the Ten Commandments and in what is positively required of them. Westminster Larger Catechism questions 129-151 provide the framework for this section. It would be difficult to... Continue Reading
Why the PCA Needs a Statute of Limitation – Reasons to Vote Against Amending BCO 32-20
Reasons for PCA Presbyteries to vote NO on amending BCO 32-20, the statute of limitations provision.
I am convinced that removing the present wording of the statute of limitations in BCO 32-20 will lead to other serious problems and unintended consequences. The proposed amendment will potentially open up members to harassment by the courts; it will allow the shepherding from elders to become lax; it will allow courts to settle for... Continue Reading
Update from the OPC General Assembly on the Report of Alleged Racist Remarks
On the final day of GA, the Moderator of the OPC GA reported with thanksgiving that new information had come to light that appeared to resolve the matter.
During the course of the Assembly, the OPC GA’s Committee on Arrangements continued its interactions with EU staff in investigating the incidents reported. On Tuesday morning [06/14/22], the final day of GA, the Moderator of the OPC GA, David Nakhla, reported with thanksgiving that new information had come to light. As reported previously, on... Continue Reading
The PCA Should Seek a Better Revision: Reasons to Vote Against Amending BCO 32-20
Maintaining the statute of limitations for judicial process in BCO 32-20 benefits the Church in fulfilling the interests of justice. Presbyteries should vote NO on this proposed amendment.
The proposed amendment does not so much revise BCO 32-20 as it removes one provision and substitutes it with another. It removes the requirement binding the church to act in a timely manner to uphold the honor of Christ in cases of scandal. In its place, it leaves the question of what constitutes a timely... Continue Reading
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