Actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, Wednesday, June 30
This report is limited to highlights that could (should?) be of interest to our readers. First up was the annual report of the Stated Clerks Report. The Stated Clerk’s office keeps count on the votes of Presbyteries on recommended changes to the Book of Church Order. (Every change requires approval by a General Assembly, the... Continue Reading
The View from the Visitor’s Section – Watching the PCA Overtures Committee at work.
It is one thing to serve on the Overtures Committee (previously known as Bills and Overtures) at the PCA General Assembly – and yet another thing to sit in the pack of the room, keep your mouth shut, and just listen. The Overtures Committee at the PCA General Assembly this year had a couple of... Continue Reading
38th PCA General Assembly Opens with Worship Service
The 38th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, meeting in Nashville, Tenn., from June 29 through July 2, opened its annual meeting with a worship service attended by over 3500 people. The service was led by area pastors and a joint choir made up from a number of churches. The theme of the... Continue Reading
Dr. Harry Reeder Elected Moderator of 38th PCA General Assembly
On Tuesday, June 29, 2010, Rev. Harry L. Reeder was elected moderator of the 38th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. The General Assembly is holding its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., from June 29 to July 2. There are about 1400 commissioners (delegates) in attendance. Reeder was elected unanimously since he was... Continue Reading
John Calvin Speaks to the PCA: A Timely Message from an Unexpected Guest
”Fellow ministers of the Gospel, those who are called, by God, to unashamedly proclaim the inestimable salvation of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, I stand before you this day to draw your attention to some important principles…” When John Calvin stepped behind the elevated lectern of the thirty-eighth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in... Continue Reading
Why I Support PCA Overture 13 on How to View Assistants to Deacons
If, as a denomination we believe that women serving in the office of deacon is unbiblical, we must make it clear that BCO 9-7 does not allow women to be elected to or serve in the office of deacon. It had been my intention to support Overture 2 from Central Carolina Presbytery on the subject... Continue Reading
PCA Committee On Constitutional Business finds 3 overtures on Deaconesses contrary to Constitution
In their report to General Assembly, just released in the Supplement to the Commissioner Handbook, the CCB has found 3 of the 6 overtures concerning Deaconesses and related women’s ministry issues ‘contrary to the Constitution. In Overture 2 from Central Carolina Presbytery: “Amend BCO 9-7 to Prohibit Deaconesses”, their opinion was “it is contrary to... Continue Reading
Will It Unify Us?: Final Thoughts on the PCA Strategic Plan
It is time to face the fact that this Plan will not “unite” the PCA. It has already worsened existing fault lines. We might debate the whole idea of having a Strategic Plan. We should definitely consider its specific proposals. However, even if we came down in favor of everything about the Strategic Plan, we... Continue Reading
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on docket for three national assemblies of Presbyterian denominations
The potential legitimization of homosexuality in the military may be the most serious moral issue in America since Roe V. Wade in 1973 Three member denominations of the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRJC) have overtured their respective General Assemblies or Synod on the possible repeal of the military’s “Don’t... Continue Reading
Letter To The Editor – The Strategic Plan is Not Really “Cool”
The session I serve on is concerned about lots of “churchy” things like church discipline, proper doctrine and worship in the church, and growth (of all types) in our local body. That’s our strategy. When the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America convenes at the end of this month in Nashville a Strategic... Continue Reading