PCA 47th General Assembly: Some Highlights and Actions
Some highlights and actions from the 47th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America meeting in Dallas, Texas, June 25-28, 2019
1,616 commissioners (1,209 Teaching Elders, 407 Ruling Elders) meeting in Dallas, Texas The theme of the Assembly was “Press on for God’s Glory,” drawn from 2 Cor. 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” The... Continue Reading
The PCA General Assembly Affirms the Nashville Statement
67 percent of the PCA General Assembly voted to affirm the Nashville Statement.
What makes this even more remarkable is that this happened right on the heels of the Southern Baptist Convention’s adoption of a similar measure earlier this month—a resolution that relies on the Nashville Statement as a response to the Revoice controversy. Thus two major evangelical denominations have weighed-in in a single month, and both have... Continue Reading
PCA General Assembly Approves the Nashville Statement as a Faithful Declaration on Biblical Sexuality
In response to issues raised by Revoice and its impact in the PCA, the General Assembly approved, 803-541, the Nashville Statement; and the appointment of a study committee.
At its 47th General Assembly meeting in Dallas, Texas, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) approved the Nashville Statement as being a biblically faithful declaration on the matter of biblical sexual ethics. The PCA GA was responding to questions and issues raised throughout the church arising from the Revoice Conference that was held in St.... Continue Reading
Howie Donahoe Elected Moderator of 47th General Assembly
Donahoe has developed a reputation for helping opponents come together, get to know each other, and talk out their differences.
In his years as a ruling elder Donahoe has served in many positions (sometimes multiple times) including session clerk, presbytery moderator, and presbytery stated clerk. He has attended 26 of the last 30 General Assembly gatherings and served as host committee chairman in 2003 when the Assembly met in Charlotte. For 20 years he has... Continue Reading
The Fight for the Culture is Taking Place in the Church
An overview of the PCA’s 2019 General Assembly
Three years ago, much of the debate at GA focused on racial reconciliation. Last year, it was the role of women in the church. This year, it will likely be homosexuality and the Revoice movement, which is being hotly debated in the PCA and Southern Baptist Convention. Although sexual abuse and the “Me Too” movement... Continue Reading
Responding to Revoice: The Case for Overture 28 at the PCA General Assembly (Part Two)
The Revoice Conference speakers affirmed homosexual orientation as a legitimate part of their identity; something that should not be condemned or changed. Overture 28 offers a different perspective.
In part one, we documented and critiqued some of the errant teaching of the 2018 Revoice Conference, explaining how articles 1 to 6 of Overture 28 to the 2019 PCA General Assembly address these errors. In part two, we address some of the practical errors espoused by the speakers at Revoice, offering a more biblical... Continue Reading
Responding to Revoice: The Case for Overture 28 at the PCA General Assembly (Part One)
The Revoice Conference speakers affirmed homosexual orientation as a legitimate part of their identity; something that should not be condemned or changed. Overture 28 offers a different perspective.
The teachings of the 2018 Revoice Conference may soon split the Presbyterian Church in America. If the errors in their teaching are not addressed, churches and possibly presbyteries will leave our denomination. Overture 28 is an effort to address the errors of the Revoice Conference and to commend a better way of helping those who... Continue Reading
The Parity of Elders in the PCA is a Great Idea: Overture 1—Not So Much
Overture 1 proposes to increase the attendance of Ruling Elder commissioners at the PCA General Assembly in relation to the number of Teaching Elders.
While parity of number among elders is an elusive goal, it should be vigorously pursued so that the historic foundation of grass roots Presbyterianism in the PCA is not lost at the court of GA. Instead of changing our BCO with the insufficient fix proposed in Overture 1, the elders of the church should work... Continue Reading
Women Serving On PCA Committees and Agencies? One More Time with Feeling
Five presbyteries have presented the same-worded overture (8, 14, 19, 21, and 32) asking the PCA to allow women to serve on the permanent committees and agencies of the PCA.
It seems like a manifest incongruity with the general principles of Biblical polity to place women and unordained men in the position of acting as nominated representatives of presbyteries on committees and boards of the General Assembly as they would be placed in a position alongside of men who are acting in those committees in... Continue Reading
PCA Missouri Presbytery Report on Inquiry into South City Church
Inquiry into events surrounding the use of facilities for a meeting at South City Church in January 2019.
This matter, falling under the provisions of BCO 13, is an inquiry and not a formal judicial investigation. An inquiry is conducted for the express purpose of making a presbytery aware of the facts of a situation that has raised questions or concerns. Conversely, an investigation is defined in BCO 31 and may lead to... Continue Reading
