First, what is the GA? It is the annual meeting of representatives of the churches that make up the PCA. A fuller description of the GA is found in Chapter 14 of the BCO. I recommend that you read it. The GA meets at different locations around the nation, usually in a city that has... Continue Reading

Cascades Presbytery has approved an overture (Ovt. 021) that completely re-writes the Book of Order’s section on marriage – W4.9000, to “to allow marriage between ‘two people’ rather than limiting marriage to ‘between one man and one woman’ and to allow PCUSA church officials to perform marriage ceremonies between same sex couples,” according to the overture’s rationale.... Continue Reading

At its stated meeting on September 10, 2013, Grace Presbytery (South Mississippi) approved an overture on changing some of the judicial processes in the Presbyterian Church in America. The overture recommends that the PCA General Assembly amend its Book of Church Order 15-5 which deals with the decisions of the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC).  ... Continue Reading

The study committee’s mandate is to guide churches, pastors and members on how to apply the biblical view of the 1973 report regarding the legality of same-sex marriage, how to communicate this view with truth and grace in this society; address the legal, ethical and spiritual ramifications; and identify resources and best practices to facilitate... Continue Reading

Presently there are no quotas forcing churches to ordain women, but clearly removing the clauses spells trouble for complementarians. 1) Some conservative students are already blackballed for their views on women’s ordination. Removing constitutional protections makes their ordination process even more difficult. 2) Our ministerial vows make clear that we will conduct our work according... Continue Reading

But realistically there are major problems that seem to be swept under the carpet for the time being. As I noted above the recent situation should bring a lot of concern. Whose example are we to follow? Why is the leadership appearing to perform on a level of ineptness that renders confusion and looks more... Continue Reading

The recent General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America featured a brief, but heated argument about the seemingly inconsequential … issue of foreign missions. Particularly, whether to receive and approve the Majority Report of the Committee on Insider Movements or whether to receive, as well, the Minority Report, written by a single committee member.... Continue Reading

Taking away PCA commissioners’ ability to debate and vote on issues in accordance with our RAO procedures destroys their trust in the underlying ecclesiastical system. Attempting to fix a vote’s outcome by changing voting order on the fly similarly erodes that same trust. Like unjust weights and balances, unjust political maneuvering should not be named... Continue Reading

If the CCB member’s interpretation is correct, and CCB is allowed to review the merits of SJC decisions, then presumably any person who loses a decision at the SJC, or any losing Presbytery, could try to persuade one of the eight members of CCB to cite the SJC in the case, asking GA to remand... Continue Reading

In 1986-1988 an ad interim committee of the General Assembly studied the issue of paedocommunion. The Assembly adopted the recommendation “That the PCA continue the practice defined in our standards and administer the Lord’s Supper ‘only to such as are of years and ability to examine themselves.’” Some Presbyteries have allowed ministers to hold to... Continue Reading