Does the Insider Movement contradict Jesus at this point, if it advises converts to sublimate their public profession or to remain as hidden believers or to hide their light under a bushel? To make things crystal clear, Jesus then gives a summary comparison: “Anyone who loves his father and mother more than me is not... Continue Reading

I am personally persuaded that a change in our practice as a denomination is necessary. I am well aware that bringing all the disciplinary cases that rise to the denominational level before the General Assembly could become unwieldy, to say the least. However, according to our own constitution, the General Assembly shall have the power... Continue Reading

The Gospel Reformation Network (GRN) is a collaboration of Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) ministers who are concerned about the balance and accuracy of gospel preaching in our denomination.  Specifically, we are working to bolster the biblical and confessional doctrine of sanctification.  Our concern is that in the fervor of today’s well-placed emphasis on the... Continue Reading

Unlike the Committee Report, the Minority Report contains no actual evaluation, theological or otherwise, of the various forms of the Insider Movement that are advocated in open missiological literature, taught in some seminaries and practiced in the field.  This lack of rigorous, detailed analysis makes it impossible to tell precisely which aspects of Insider Movement... Continue Reading

Ref21 Editors’ Note: The Presbyterian Church in America’s 42nd General Assembly will address the work of the Study Committee on Insider Movements (SCIM). For access to the SCIM reports of 2014, click here. However, given the global relevance of this question, in the next several weeks ahead of the Assembly, Rev. Nelson Jennings and Rev. David... Continue Reading

On the one hand, this overture seems to be asking for the General Assembly to erect a study committee to determine if believing that Scripture allows for women to be ordained to the office of elder is an allowable exception to our constitution for ministers in our denomination. This is actually a very important question... Continue Reading

As an aid to Commissioners to the 2014 General Assembly of the PCA regarding the Study Committee on Insider Movements, the authors of the 2014 Minority Report entitled, “Realities on the Ground, An Additional Perspective,” present the following FAQs. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America will be meeting June 17-20, 2014 in... Continue Reading

We have highlighted four of the more significant issues that will be considered at this GA: The Overtures on the Standing Judicial Commission, The Role of Women in Church Offices, Erroneous Views of Creation, and The Insider Movement. Also assembled is a panel of four men to guide discussions on these issues.   The 42nd... Continue Reading

The PCA Historical Center is sponsoring its first Conference on Presbyterian History at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. The PCA GA is meeting in Houston, Texas, June 17-20, 2014. This year’s Conference will consist of two panels: Panel #1 will offer a wide-ranging coverage of American Presbyterian history. The second panel... Continue Reading

I suspect that this overture will pass without much debate. This is a very important issue with very practical implications for our everyday life in the church. The prevalence of child sexual abuse may be shocking to some. The sin and effects of child sexual abuse often go unseen, unreported, or unacknowledged. The prevalence of... Continue Reading