Central Carolina Presbytery hereby overtures the 39th General Assembly to withdraw the membership of the PCA in the NAE at the soonest possible date.

Central Carolina Presbytery adopted an overture on April 26, 2011 that asks the 39th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America to withdraw from the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

Overture from Central Carolina Presbytery
To the 39th PCA General Assembly
“Withdraw from the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)”

Whereas, the PCA is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE); and

Whereas, Chapter 31 of the Westminster Confession of Faith states that “Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate;” and

Whereas, the PCA BCO 3-3 states that “3-3. The sole functions of the Church, as a kingdom and government distinct from the civil commonwealth, are to proclaim, to administer, and to enforce the law of Christ revealed in the Scriptures.”; and

Whereas, the NAE has frequently intermeddled in public affairs, by publically endorsing the idea of Climate Change [1];, testifying on Capitol Hill in support of the Comprehensive Immigration Act (CIR) and strongly indicating they spoke for their members when they did so.[2]; and

Whereas, these are only a few of many examples of the NAE’s continuing practice of intermeddling in civil affairs; and

Whereas, our sister denomination the RPCNA has already withdrawn from the NAE in 2009 citing “President Leith Anderson’s participation in the meeting between Christians and Muslims where the document, ‘Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to “A Common Word Between Us and You”’ was approved and signed.” and noting that “The document is clearly based on an unbiblical premise. It falsely assumes that Christianity and Islam approach the same God, but in different ways.”[3]; and

Whereas, no other NAPARC denominations see the need to be members of the NAE; and

Whereas, the Presbyterian Church in America, as such, has no need of the principle benefits of membership, as set forth by the NAE, to wit:

1) “Use of the NAE member logo, which gives you the credibility of a national organization”
2) “Public affirmation of the NAE Statement of Faith, the gold standard of evangelical belief in America since 1942”
3) “A recognized voice in Washington championing evangelical concerns and providing a source of information on critical issues facing our nation.” [4]

Since:

1) The PCA has sufficient credibility as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ
2) In the Westminster Standards the PCA has an excellent statement of faith
3) The PCA does not need a voice in Washington championing political concerns that would not even be permitted as a subject of discussion before its councils, let alone be adopted as positions.;

Therefore, Central Carolina Presbytery hereby overtures the 39th General Assembly to withdraw the membership of the PCA in the NAE at the soonest possible date.

Footnotes:
[1] “International Adaptation” ( http://www.nae.net/fthn/international-adaptation)
[2] “Evangelical Group Endorses Liberalized Immigration, Testifies Before Senate” ( http://www.theird.org/Page.aspx?pid=1212)
[3] RPCNA IRC NAE Withdrawal Statement (permission granted to cite by the RPCNA Interchurch Committee)
[4] “Why Join the NAE?”

Adopted by Central Carolina Presbytery at its 125th stated meeting, April 26, 2011
Attested by RE Flynt Jones, stated clerk