“It seems right, I think, that those who assign the tasks bear some responsibility to fund them. Likewise, it’s reasonable that those who receive the benefits would help cover the costs—even gladly.”

On April 8, the PCA’s Administrative Committee (AC), comprised of 11 teaching and ruling elders, along with nine representatives from PCA committees and boards, unanimously approved the “PCA Strategic Plan.”

The Plan was commissioned by the Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC) to evaluate slowed growth within the denomination and a shifting cultural landscape.

Since byFaith’s online announcement of the AC’s approval, a number of issues have been raised. We asked John Robertson, the AC’s business administrator, about three of them.

byFaith: One online reader expressed uncertainty about whether the Strategic Plan is biblical. That would obviously be a major concern.

Robertson: As elders who lead in the church we are, as a group, pretty serious about the Bible, so yes, this question is important.

In Scripture, God gives us principles to shape our thoughts about how to manage the gifts of His people. This Plan aims to apply them as carefully as possible. Here are a few principles that I think are relevant.

First of all, we know that Paul encouraged the churches to give from the heart, cheerfully and sacrificially.

We see this in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 and in Philippians 1 and 4.