Between May 12–28, 2025, the Commission conducted over 45 hours of trial proceedings, hearing testimonies from 55 witnesses. Both prosecution and defense provided evidence to argue for either guilt or innocence. The Commission thoroughly worked through all the specifics of the case, weighing and corroborating testimony. After two full days of deliberations, the commission unanimously found TE Parsons guilty on the following three charges of the amended indictment.

At a June 12, 2025 called meeting of Central Florida Presbytery its Judicial Commission announced that it had found Dr. Burk Parsons, Pastor of St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida, guilty of three of the five charges against him, and found him not guilty on the other two charges.

The Judicial Commission had been appointed by the Central Florida Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) on November 19, 2024. The original six count indictment was reduced to five by the Commission. The Commission reported that, “Between May 12–28, 2025, the Commission conducted over 45 hours of trial proceedings, hearing testimonies from 55 witnesses.” And then, “After two full days of deliberations, the commission unanimously found TE Parsons guilty on the following three charges of the amended indictment.”

The three charges for which Parsons was found guilty  were: (1) being harsh, ungentle, and unkind to those under his care or with whom he interacts; (2) not being a humble servant leader but instead “lording it over others” (i.e., autocratic) and being domineering, contentious, and quarrelsome/pugnacious in his leadership so that those in his care and in his “leadership orbit” were intimidated, bullied, and/or afraid; and (3) slandering and/or demeaning other servants and churches of our Lord.

The Report stated further, “The Commission voted unanimously to indefinitely suspend TE Parsons from office, but not from the sacraments, citing insufficient signs of repentance and a need for pastoral reflection about his calling as an elder. During this time TE Parsons cannot participate in the duties of an elder, including preaching, teaching, administering the sacraments, and participating in the church courts. The suspension remains in effect until satisfactory evidence of repentance is provided.”

After the Commission’s announcement, Dr. Parsons stated he would be appealing his conviction.

The Judicial Commission read the following Report to the Presbytery:

Judicial Commission Report to the Central Florida Presbytery
 Concerning TE Burk Parsons
June 12, 2025

In July of 2024, the Central Florida Presbytery (CFP)’s Minister and His Work Committee (MHWC) received a report from a member of Saint Andrew’s Chapel (SAC) alleging that Teaching Elder (TE) Burk Parsons had violated his ministerial vows through harsh leadership, unkind treatment of others, and neglect of pastoral duties. Following interviews with multiple witnesses and review of written complaints, the Minister and His Work Committee (MHWC) found a strong presumption of guilt and recommended formal judicial process.

At the November 19, 2024, Central Florida Presbytery meeting, TEs Richard Burguet, Brandon Lauranzon, Hardy Reynolds, and REs Andrew Augenstein, David Cross, Bart Johnson, Tim Miller were elected to be on a Judicial Commission to adjudicate these matters. TE Jerry Klemm was also appointed as the prosecutor. After further investigation, a six-charge indictment was issued to TE Parsons on February 21, 2025, and at the March 6th, 2025, Commission meeting, TE Parsons pled not guilty to all six charges.

The specifications under the charges fell into the following general categories:

• Speaking harshly or unkindly with various REs whom he perceived as affecting the pace of the SAC session meetings, or with whom he was frustrated.
• Harassing and bullying REs and discouraging them from expressing their true opinion on matters.
• Being unkind, ungentle, arrogant, or getting angry with members of the church in both public and private settings.
• Speaking harshly and/or unkindly to co-workers and others under his care or influence or treating them in a manner that was inappropriate for a minister of the gospel.
• Exhibiting a domineering and autocratic leadership style instead of being a humble servant leader, creating fear and anxiety for some who work or serve under him at both SAC and Ligonier.
• Disregarding fundamental requirements of Presbyterian polity.
• Being inhospitable and inaccessible to the flock.
• Slandering, demeaning, and/or denigrating other churches, elders, and servants of the Lord.

The case proceeded according to the process outlined in the Book of Church Order (BCO). There was a pre-trial phase with motions, objections, and the refinement of charges. It should be noted that during this pre-trial phase, the commission dropped one of the six original charges due to vagueness, and the indictment was amended to only include five charges.

Between May 12–28, 2025, the Commission conducted over 45 hours of trial proceedings, hearing testimonies from 55 witnesses. Both prosecution and defense provided evidence to argue for either guilt or innocence. The Commission thoroughly worked through all the specifics of the case, weighing and corroborating testimony. After two full days of deliberations, the commission unanimously found TE Parsons guilty on the following three charges of the amended indictment:

• In the name of the Presbyterian Church in America, Central Florida Presbytery charges TE Burk Parsons with being harsh, ungentle, and unkind to those under his care or with whom he interacts: Proverbs 15:1; Ezekiel 34:4; Matthew 12:20; Luke 6:45; 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7, 11-12; 1 Timothy 3:2-3; 2 Timothy 2:24-25; Titus 1:7-8; BCO 21-5.7, against the peace, unity and purity of the Church, and the honor and majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the King and Head thereof.

• In the name of the Presbyterian Church in America, Central Florida Presbytery charges TE Burk Parsons with not being a humble servant leader but instead “lording it over others” (i.e., autocratic) and being domineering, contentious, and quarrelsome/pugnacious in his leadership so that those in his care and in his “leadership orbit” were intimidated, bullied, and/or afraid: Proverbs 28:16; Jeremiah 23:1-4; Matthew 20:25-26; Matthew 23:8-12; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:26; John 13:14-15; Ephesians 4:11-16, 32; Philippians 2:3; Col. 3:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:24; James 3:13, 17; 1 Peter 5:2-6; 1 Timothy 3:2; BCO 8-1; BCO 21-5.7, against the peace, unity and purity of the Church, and the honor and majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the King and Head thereof.
• In the name of the Presbyterian Church in America, Central Florida Presbytery charges TE Burk Parsons with slandering and/or demeaning other servants and churches of our Lord: Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 12:36; Mark 7:20-23; Luke 6:45; Ephesians 4:15, 29; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 4:6; 1 Timothy 3:2-3; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 5:5; James 3:1-2,5; James 4:11; BCO 8-1; BCO 21-5.7, against the peace, unity and purity of the Church, and the honor and majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the King and Head thereof.

Concerning the other two charges on the amended indictment, TE Parsons was found not guilty.

The Commission voted unanimously to indefinitely suspend TE Parsons from office, but not from the sacraments, citing insufficient signs of repentance and a need for pastoral reflection about his calling as an elder. During this time TE Parsons cannot participate in the duties of an elder, including preaching, teaching, administering the sacraments, and participating in the church courts. The suspension remains in effect until satisfactory evidence of repentance is provided (BCO 34-8; 36-5; 37-8.)

TE Parsons had previously pled guilty to similar charges in 2019 and received admonition at that time. This, along with subsequent reports of relational harm and unhealthy leadership environment, taking place both before and since the 2019 event, indicate an unresolved pattern, and thus led the Commission to discern that indefinite suspension was the appropriate censure. This decision by the Commission was unanimous and was accompanied by prayer for TE Parson’s repentance, the glory of God, and the peace and purity of the church.

The Commission’s decision to suspend TE Parsons indefinitely from his pastoral office is a significant step that reflects both seriousness and hope. While this censure removes him from public ministry, it is not final or permanent. Restoration remains a real and prayerful possibility if he “shall exhibit for a considerable time such an eminently exemplary, humble and edifying life and testimony as shall heal the wound made by his scandal” as required by BCO 34-8. The Commission’s decision, although difficult, seeks to protect the integrity of gospel ministry while encouraging personal reflection and healing within the body of Christ. The Commission urges continued prayer for TE Parsons and all those involved, that God’s grace would bring peace, clarity, and renewal to his glorious church.