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

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

In 2009, Cornerstone’s elders decided to subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity as their confessional standards. For the next two years, two of the church’s pastors taught through the confessions on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. “Becoming Reformed has touched and reshaped every area of the church’s life: liturgy, pastor-led worship, the administration of the sacraments... Continue Reading

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

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

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

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

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

I suspect the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA was engaged in politically correct self-preening when it passed this feel-good motion inviting arm-chair condemnation of those “hate crimes” identified by the progressive world. Enough to justify its self-righteous perch as the moral arbiter of all things, but not enough to truly engage the... Continue Reading

“Since the 16th Century Protestant Reformation, there have been numerous Reformed denominations with varying forms of church polity — some more hierarchical and others more democratic. These eight principles were originally adopted by the first American General Assembly in 1789. Our American Presbyterian forefathers had come to America with fresh memories of the persecutions under... Continue Reading