Keller made about six points concerning what the PCA should do in the coming years to foster unity. There were two that most impressed me I am more firmly convinced than ever that the PCA will decline in membership in the decade ahead, largely because of the division between the Traditionalists and the Contemporaries, which... Continue Reading

‘Application’ is an old word, and ‘contextualization’ and ‘philosophy of ministry’ and ‘strategic plan’ are new ones, but I think they all mean the same thing. What makes a good sermon? It must be clearly based on the Bible. If it doesn’t, it may have a lot of practical wisdom in it, but there won’t... Continue Reading

Each of the major issues (deaconesses and denominational planning) may reveal interesting and unexpected twists and turns, probably not planned by some. The 38th General Assembly of the PCA will probably neither prove to be the disastrous abyss that some think nor the inauguration of the eschaton expected by others. When measured by a longer... Continue Reading

This report is limited to highlights of the meeting to provide our readers with the main issues considered. The first item of business at 8:00AM Friday was to return to the report of the COC on Mission to North America and the request of the Chaplains Commission for a statement on the military’s dealing with... Continue Reading

This report is limited to highlights that could be of interest to our readers. First up after lunch was the Report of the Theological Examination Committee. This committee examines and approves men called for first or second ‘tier’ positions in the PCA, such as Presidents of the college and seminary, Coordinators of the varies ministry... Continue Reading

This report is limited to highlights that could be of interest to our readers. First up on Thursday were two additional program reports from the Christian Education and Publications Committee and Ridge Haven. The first of the Board/Agency Committee of Commissioners to report for this Assembly was Ridge Haven. (Editor’s note: Committees of Commissioners (hereafter... Continue Reading

McGowan said churches in his group “consider any music newer than 100 years old as liberal and almost heretical.” The Rev. Charles McGowan is hoping for an atypically calm annual meeting for his denomination this week. McGowan serves on the host committee for the General Assembly of the PCA, which began Tuesday night at the... Continue Reading

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

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

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