Fewer Presbyterian Heroes And More Farmers
We need to encourage a culture of practice and learning about our polity and our church courts.
The reason “hero cultures” thrive in business is no less true why heroes will thrive in Church. People like to be the “go to” resource. In some domains the hero protects his knowledge in order to be indispensable. In the church, debate and participation is often left to those who are considered skilled enough to... Continue Reading
Tom Cannon Resigns as Coordinator of Reformed University Fellowship
Cannon submitted his resignation on March 2.; he had served RUF for four years as Coordinator.
According to Will Huss, chairman of the committee, “During Tom’s tenure as Coordinator, RUF has seen encouraging and amazing growth. He made hard decisions, was passionate about RUF, committed to the gospel, and led our organization in new and exciting ministry directions. “We continue to benefit from, the initiatives he pursued,” Huss said, “for the... Continue Reading
‘MORE’ in the PCA: A Foundation Urging PCA Ruling Elders to Attend General Assemblies
If you are an RE concerned about the direction of the PCA and cannot go to General Assembly because your congregation cannot reimburse your expenses, contact MORE!
It occurred to me that there ought to be an organization that would address those problems and encourage REs to attend General Assembly, and presbytery for that matter. Having found no such pre-existing organization, I founded one: MORE in the PCA, Inc. If you want to learn more about the organization, I encourage you to... Continue Reading
BCO 25-3 Amendment Defeated; Not Approved By Requisite Number of PCA Presbyteries
The Amendment failed since it did not receive the required approval of two-thirds of the Presbyteries.
The GA approved the amendment and sent it to the Presbyteries; the BCO requires that amendments be approved by two-thirds of its Presbytery. It is now clear from an unofficial tabulation of the Presbyteries that have voted, that 30 Presbyteries have voted against approving the amendment, which means that the two-thirds requirement cannot be met.... Continue Reading
Covenant Seminary Statement on Biblical Social Justice
This statement seeks to answer questions and concerns we have received regarding the seminary’s view on matters of social justice and particularly as it relates to matters of racial reconciliation and racial justice.
As the denominational seminary, we are seeking to work in conjunction with the current PCA study committee for racial reconciliation to “develop specific steps that could be taken to effect racial reconciliation and the advance of the gospel.” We are striving to be a place that facilitates conversations and helps future pastors and ministry leaders train... Continue Reading
History of PCA Motto: “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.”
The PCA’s motto has gone through some changes over the years!
Obviously we could probably track some variations on the motto through the years, from 1971 to present, but most of those variations probably appeared because someone was working from memory. For one thing, the motto was never officially adopted, so far as I can determine. If I’m wrong about that, please let me know. For... Continue Reading
PCA Study Committee Report on the Role of Women in the Ministry of the Church: Recommendation #8
Assessing Recommendation 8 of the PCA Role of Women in the Church Report presented to the 45th General Assembly.
If the report felt the need to exhort the church on this point, I think it would have been better said that the church should enfold, include, love, labor for, seek to serve all its members, whether male or female, wherever, and in whatever circumstance they may be found. To divide the church into male... Continue Reading
PCA Study Committee Report on the Role of Women in the Ministry of the Church: Recommendation #7
Assessing Recommendation 7 of the PCA Role of Women in the Church Report presented to the 45th General Assembly.
There is no question that all God’s people are set apart to serve and minister within the church (Ps. 4:3, 2 Tim. 2:21). However, the practice of setting apart for specific tasks within the church seems to be an exceptional circumstance where men already in office, whether as Levite, priest, apostle or teacher in the... Continue Reading
Reasons for PCA Presbyteries To Approve the Proposed Amendment to BCO 25-3
PCA Presbyteries will be voting on a proposed amendment to Book of Church Order 25-3; here are reasons for them to vote to approve this amendment.
This change will ensure any departure decision genuinely reflects the mind of the congregation, and not just a small minority. Likewise, the BCO only requires the Session to give one-week’s notice for such a congregational meeting. One week’s notice and a very low quorum is a recipe for abuse. I appreciate this opportunity to... Continue Reading
Reasons for PCA Presbyteries Not To Approve Proposed Amendment to BCO 25-3
PCA Presbyteries will be voting on a proposed amendment to Book of Church Order 25-3; here are reasons for them to vote not to approve this amendment.
In summary: This proposed amendment to require a quorum of 50% of the local congregation’s resident members effectively restricts a congregation’s rights to “remain in association with any court of this body only so long as they themselves so desire” (BCO 25-11). As such, it effectively violates the “solemn covenant” between local churches and the... Continue Reading
