Since the denomination began, the AC has clearly and regularly communicated to the churches the need for support. Those efforts have only resulted in a 45% participation rate. It is time to admit that what we are doing is not working. To pass more resolutions encouraging giving is not going to fix the problem.

Editor’s note: Many PCA Presbyteries will be holding their winter stated meetings in January and February. One of the issues before them will be the proposed BCO 14 amendments, also known as the AC Funding Plan. The Aquila Report asked a number of ruling elders to give us their perspective on the proposed amendments; two REs will present reasons in support of the Plan and two will give reasons against adopting the Plan. We will publish these articles one day at a time during this week, alternating between pro and con. It is our desire to encourage a full and open debate in allPresbyteries on this important proposal before the PCA.

The proposed changes provide our denomination with a constitutional solution to a real problem in the PCA. The implementation of the Annual Registration fee will establish an equitable system to support the work of the AC for the benefit of all members of the PCA.

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has the opportunity to make a significant change in the way we support the work of our Administrative Committee (AC). I encourage presbyters to support the proposed changes for the following reasons:

The Current System is Broken
Here is the empirical data: Only 45% of churches give anything to the work of the PCA’s Administrative committee (AC). The other 55% of the churches in the denomination receive the direct and indirect services and benefits of the AC at the expense of the 45%. This is not only broken, it is wrong.

Since the denomination began, the AC has clearly and regularly communicated to the churches the need for support. Those efforts have only resulted in a 45% participation rate. It is time to admit that what we are doing is not working. To pass more resolutions encouraging giving is not going to fix the problem.

The Proposed Changes to BCO 14-1 and 14-2 Are Constitutional
BCO 25-8 and 25-11 wisely codify the free and voluntary association of churches with the denomination and prohibit the use of coercion and force to take money from a church or to force a church to stay in the PCA. These proposed changes do not interfere with any of the rights secured by BCO 25-8 and 25-11. A church can remain a church in good standing within the denomination for free. Churches are still free to disburse their money as they see fit and may withdraw their congregation and the property belonging to the congregation if they so chose.

The proposed changes do alter the requirements to vote at General Assembly; but changing these requirements does not make the proposal coercive. Under the proposed system, churches in the PCA are free to determine if they will pay the required Annual Registration fee.

The Proposed Changes Provide a More Equitable System to Support and Govern the PCA
Currently, we have an inequitable division in the PCA:

Group I (roughly 45% of the churches) pays to support AC, receives the direct or indirect benefits and services provided by the AC, and for $400 per authorized commissioner, they can vote at GA.

Group II (roughly 55% of the churches) pays nothing to support the AC, yet they also receive the direct and indirect services provided by the AC and for $400 per authorized commissioner, they can vote at GA.

Both groups receive the same benefits, but Group II benefits at the expense of Group I.

The proposed changes would rearrange our denomination into a more equitable division:

Group I chooses to pay the modest, fair and proportional Annual Registration fee. Group I receives the direct and indirect services of the denomination and Group I gets to vote at GA with no additional registration fee required.

Group II chooses to pay nothing. They are free to remain as members in the PCA for as long as they shall desire and they will continue to receive the direct and indirect services from the denomination but they cannot vote at GA.

In this proposed arrangement both groups now receive benefits commensurate with their level of support.

The Proposed Changes are the Right Solution
In business, I choose to belong to various professional organizations and maintain a number of licenses and designations. The constitutions, by-laws and/or regulations of these organizations codify my rights and responsibilities as a member. As a member, I receive direct and indirect benefits from these organizations. Some offer options and various levels of membership. However, it is usual and customary to require that I must meet all requirements to fully participate in the decision making and governing processes.

Would it not be prudent, wise and right to treat membership in the PCA in a similar manner? In the proposed changes, members and churches are free to choose their level of membership. They can choose to be a member and receive many direct and indirect benefits without paying a penny. And, for those who wish to fully participate in the decision making and governing process of the General Assembly, they can choose to pay the Annual Registration fee.

The proposed changes provide our denomination with a constitutional solution to a real problem in the PCA. The implementation of the Annual Registration fee will establish an equitable system to support the work of the AC for the benefit of all members of the PCA.
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EJ Nusbaum is a Ruling Elder at Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs. He served as the Moderator of the 35th General Assembly and is currently a member of the Committee for Constitutional Business and the Cooperative Ministry Committee.