The Author’s Rationale for Overture 9 Being Considered by the 50th PCA General Assembly
Issues related to human sexuality have become points of great debate in the PCA over the past five years.
In light of our current crossroads as a denomination, I pray that we will be found faithful to uphold the faith once delivered, to realize the shoulders of the many faithful men who have gone before us and upon which we stand, and to not shy away from where the battle is most fierce but... Continue Reading
A Philosopher’s Guide to the Overtures Presented to the PCA General Assembly
Frank assessments of the overtures being considered by the 50th PCA General Assembly in Memphis, June 12-16, 2023.
In what follows, I take a different approach. I give my frank assessment of the overtures in the hopes that, even if you disagree with me, you can better formulate reasons for why you do so. I also, at times, offer an analysis of different issues surrounding the overtures. This approach will, I hope, be... Continue Reading
The PCA at Fifty: A General Assembly Preview
Will the Fiftieth General Assembly be decisive for whether the PCA will be a "big tent" or the house of the living God?
There are indeed many reasons to continue to be hopeful, optimistic, and engaged in the work of the PCA courts. The PCA continues to move slowly but steadily in a direction that reflects greater faithfulness and integrity regarding our confessional commitments and Reformed distinctives. The PCA turns a half century this year, and the... Continue Reading
A Plea to Keep Lawyers in Ecclesiastical Proceedings: Against PCA Overtures 10 and 14
Urging the PCA General Assembly not to approve Overtures 10 and 14 seeking to limit lawyers from representing parties in ecclesiastical proceedings.
These overtures have the outrageous practical effect of chilling the participation in ecclesiastical proceedings of PCA officers who happen to be lawyers, serving the very courts in which they are members and in the very type of matters for which they are specially gifted and trained. This proposal is not only prejudicial to such brothers,... Continue Reading
PCA Officers & Their Pronouns
Dozens of congregations of the PCA) communicate to the church and to the world that ordination is not essential to the holding of church office or to bearing the titles thereof.
Wittingly or unwittingly, this alternative practice creates a new quasi-office or serves as a sort of “ecclesial disobedience” protest against the existing BCO provisions. The effect of not ordaining deacons (if allowed) will, in effect, change the meaning and undermine the authority of the BCO by ignoring or contravening it rather than using the difficult... Continue Reading
Second Thoughts About the Proposed Witness Overtures
Reasons for not approving the two proposed overtures before the PCA General Assembly seeking to amend BCO 35-1 regarding who can serve as a witness in ecclesiastical cases.
Ecclesiastical cases are fundamentally intramural proceedings brought in and for the church. The proposed changes seek to expand the jurisdiction of our ecclesiastical courts into an area that, under the framework of our historic polity, has been the province of the civil magistrate. Expanding the jurisdiction of our ecclesiastical courts by accepting unbelievers as witnesses... Continue Reading
Final Tally From PCA Presbyteries on Overture 15
The data, in my opinion, reveals two competing opinions within the PCA on whether the sexuality issue among ordained officers has been resolved.
O15 was one of three overtures presbyteries considered in 2022-23 on the topic of sexuality. Overture 29 (O29) and Overture 31 (O31) passed in a supermajority of presbyteries and will come to the floor of GA this summer, where a simple majority vote of commissioners will amend the BCO with their language. Two sexuality overtures—Overture... Continue Reading
PCA Post-Memphis: Revive or Divide?
Soon, Commissioners will be heading to Memphis for the Presbyterian Church in America’s (PCA) 50th General Assembly, its Golden Jubilee.
As a denomination, we need to worry exclusively about the second fear outlined in the preamble to the Report and commit ourselves to being a bold witness in the Apostolic model. That means no nuance, no hand wringing, and no compromise. Our BCO needs to include a standard for our officers that is a clear... Continue Reading
The PCA—Tent or House?
The PCA at 50 ought to remember that she is a house, blessed and bounded by biblical standards.
The tent image might suggest roominess, but the big tents most of us encounter these days contain circus clowns or maybe, far beyond, the cities and Starbucked suburbs, sweaty revival preachers, but maybe we repeat ourselves. Much better (and more biblical) is the image of a house. Houses have doors that can be opened wide... Continue Reading
First Annual Pre-PCA General Assembly Outreach and Evangelism Event
Individual commissioners and guests at the PCA General are invited to an outreach and evangelistic event on Tuesday, June 13, from 5-6 pm, along Memphis’ Beale Street.
You may not have done much Outreach & Evangelism. You may have gotten out of the habit. You may even feel a little intimidated by the prospect. Do not despair. This event will pair you and others with seasoned leaders to go out for an hour to act on the Great Commission in Memphis, Tennessee.... Continue Reading
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 51
- Next Page »
