Why “The Historic Polity of the PCA” Contends Against Approving the BCO 25-11 Amendment
The proposed amendment to BCO 25-11 should not be approved in light of the history of BCO 25. At the very least the amendment is attached to the wrong provision.
The Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America are voting on a proposed amendment to BCO 25-11. This is amendment should not be approved in light of the history and unique circumstances of BCO 25. In their book, “The Historic Polity of the PCA,” Robert C. Cannada and W. Jack Williamson review and explain the... Continue Reading
Northwest Georgia Presbytery Overtures 47th PCA GA to Release Covenant Seminary from PCA Oversight
Northwest Georgia Presbytery approves an overture asking the 47th PCA General Assembly to approve a plan for releasing Covenant Seminary from the oversight of the Presbyterian Church in America.
The Northwest Georgia Presbytery approved an overture at its August 10, 2018 Stated Meeting, asking the 47th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America to approve a plan for releasing Covenant Theological Seminary from the oversight and any accompanying restrictions of the Presbyterian Church in America; with a generous financial subsidy provided by encouraging... Continue Reading
10 Surprising Facts About the 1980 RPCES Report on Homosexual Christians
A review of the RPCES report on homosexuality 38 years later.
So one must wonder how this RPCES report—which was still fresh at the Joining and Receiving—could have been a nuanced expression of biblical and Reformed orthodoxy in the early 1980s, while these same beliefs are denounced as heresy by some in the PCA 38 years later. When the northern Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod... Continue Reading
Just Vote NO on the Proposed Amendment to BCO 25-11
Vote NO on the proposed amendment to BCO 25-11. It is not necessary for good order in the PCA.
Consider that the proposed amendment is attached to BCO 25-11, which directs congregations to follow the “applicable civil laws” (used a number of times in this provision) when voting on whether to withdraw. The effect of placing the proposed amendment at the end of the last paragraph of BCO 25-11 will cause conflict and confusion... Continue Reading
Reasons for PCA Presbyteries to Vote YES on Amending BCO 35-11
Presbyteries should vote FOR approving the BCO 35-11 amendment.
The amendment closes this loophole while fully maintaining the rights of the accused. The accused may still appeal the decision of the lower court to the higher court for the reasons listed in BCO 42-3. But the higher court can only hear the matter after the lower court, the proper court of jurisdiction, has ruled... Continue Reading
Reasons to Support the GA’s Proposed Change to BCO 25-11
For the several reasons stated in this article the change to BCO 25-11 should be heartily supported.
With 30-days-notice, congregation members lose no rights. Greater notice actually protects their rights. And this proposal has NOTHING to do with property. That’s a red herring. This proposal simply prevents a Session from calling a short-notice meeting on an important matter. Congregations can still make a disaffiliation decision by a simple majority vote. Regarding the PCA General Assembly’s proposed... Continue Reading
Reasons for PCA Presbyteries to Vote NO on Amending BCO 25-11
There are no urgent, necessary, historical, structural, compelling or rational reasons to amend BCO 25-11.
Over the PCA’s 47 year history, hundreds of churches have chosen to withdraw from the PCA for a variety of reasons. BCO 25.8-11 makes it abundantly clear that the PCA, from its inception, chose to enshrine in its Constitution the principle of granting congregations full rights over their own property and the liberty to choose... Continue Reading
Reasons for PCA Presbyteries to Vote NO on Amending BCO 35-11
Justice and equity are important reasons for elders in church courts to recuse themselves as judges if they offer testimony in a trial.
The present wording of BCO 35-11 is clear: if a member of the court gives testimony on a case and there is an objection, that elder is automatically disqualified. This is as it should be. Why? Because even well-meaning elders have biases and should be automatically disqualified if any party makes an objection. This is... Continue Reading
It’s Time for an Electronic PCA General Assembly
An Electronic General Assembly would be live-streamed via the Internet with some commissioners present and others in their home location.
What is an Electronic General Assembly? Since the Assembly is presently live-streamed via the Internet, I think our high-tech people could develop something I call a Distance Voting Commissioner (DVC). Legitimate representatives not present from a PCA church would be able to read reports from Committees and listen to the debates online. Then, at the... Continue Reading
PCA Foundation President Announces Retirement
PCA Foundation President, Randy Stair, has informed the board of directors of the PCA Foundation of his intent to retire from his current role as of June 30, 2019.
Randy Stair has served as President of the PCA Foundation since 1998. During his 21 years of leadership, the amount of donations to the Foundation has been over $205 million, the amount of grant distributions to ministry over $145 million and total assets have grown from $17 million to over $91 million. The staff and... Continue Reading
