A Review of the 51^st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America

 

Dear Providence Family,

As you read through this report, my prayer is that you will find it deepens your understanding of the connectional nature of the Presbyterian Church in America. Based on Scripture, the PCA endeavors to take seriously the three marks of the church— the Preaching of the Word, the Sacraments, and Church Discipline (1 Cor. 6).

Last week 2,160 Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders met in Richmond, Virginia, for the 51^st PCA General Assembly. This amounted to the third highest attended General Assembly in 51 years. The General Assembly (GA) is the highest court of the PCA, above both regional Presbyteries and local Sessions (Elders). This court meets once a year, typically during the month of June, to oversee the PCA’s presbyteries, national committees, and agencies. Participation in GA entitles every PCA church to send— as voting commissioners— their Teaching Elders (pastors) along with two Ruling Elders for the first 350 communing members of their congregation.

Business conducted within GA includes, but is not limited to, the reception of overtures, deliverances, resolutions, and judicial decisions. An overture is an official communication submitted from a lower church court or individual, to a higher court, requesting to take a particular action, approve/disapprove, or endorse a particular statement/ resolution. For example, an overture requesting a Study Committee could be passed, yet even after the committee’s findings and final approval, the results are to be taken simply as “pious advice,” and are without binding or constitutional standing.

With that said, any changes made via an overture to the Book of Church Order or BCO (which includes the Form of Government, Rules of Discipline, and Directory of Worship chapters 56, 57, 58) are in fact binding upon churches and their elders. That means that all Teaching Elders (pastors), Ruling Elders, and Deacons must submit to the new changes in the BCO. If an overture does pass to change the BCO, then it must be approved by 2/3 of the presbyteries throughout the following year, followed by a second majority vote at the next GA.

In total there were 35 overtures submitted to the General Assembly this year. These overtures initially must pass through the Overtures Committee at GA (which usually meets on Monday and Tuesday of the week) before being presented on the assembly floor for a vote from the attending Elders.

My intention is to summarize the most important overtures of last week’s GA. For the sake of brevity, highlighted overtures will be listed, followed by the resulting vote, and a short commentary on the issue at hand. A list of the initial overtures can be found at https://pcaga.org/resources/#overtures. The PCA Book of Church Order can be found at https://www.pcaac.org/bco/.

This year, the first three major items of action came from the 50^th GA of 2023. Having passed through GA in 2023, these overtures were to change language in the BCO and thus required the approval of 2/3 of presbyteries throughout the year. These overtures did in fact receive the necessary votes from presbyteries and arrived for a final vote at GA51.

They are as follows:

Item 1

 Amend BCO 7-3, regarding titling of un-ordained people, by the addition of a sentence (underlined).

The new underlined language of the BCO will read:

7-3. No one who holds office in the Church ought to usurp authority therein, or receive official titles of spiritual preeminence, except such as are employed in the Scripture. Furthermore, un-ordained people shall not be referred to as, or given the titles of, the ordained offices of pastor/elder, or deacon.

Explanation: Item 1 passed with 81% of presbyteries for, and by a vote of 1,427 for and 481 against at GA (Overture passes GA with 74%). This overture is intended to solidify the requirement that only ordained officers of the church are to be called by the title of pastor/elder or deacon. Discussion on this topic over the last few years has centered around a few PCA churches who use the title of “pastor” for un-ordained staff or confer the title of “deacon” without ordination. Under BCO 7-2, the ordained offices of Elder and Deacon are reserved for called men (1 Tim. 2, Titus 1). The underlined portion of the overture has now been added to the BCO and is binding on all officers of the church.

 

Item 2

 Amend BCO 8-2 and 9-3, to require officers’ conformity to Biblical standards for chastity and sexual purity in self-description, by the addition of the underlined wording.

The new underlined language of the BCO will read:

8-2. He that fills this office should possess a competency of human learning and be blameless in life, sound in the faith and apt to teach. He should exhibit a sobriety and holiness of life becoming the Gospel. He should conform to the biblical requirement of chastity and sexual purity in his descriptions of himself, and in his convictions, character, and conduct. He should rule his own house well and should have a good report of them that are outside the Church.

9-3. To the office of deacon, which is spiritual in nature, shall be chosen men of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly spirit, warm sympathies, and sound judgment, conforming to the biblical requirement of chastity and sexual purity in their descriptions of themselves and in their convictions, character, and conduct.

Explanation: Item 2 passed with 97% presbyteries for, and by a vote of 1,673 for and 223 against at GA (Overture passes GA with 88%). Over the last five years the PCA has wrestled with the language of sexual identity in ordained offices. Can a pastor or elder maintain or use the language of “Gay Christian” to describe themselves, even while remaining sexually chaste in their conviction and lifestyle? Since 2021, the GA has debated overtures put forward that articulate a biblical stance on this issue, yet agreement on the language has been difficult. The problem has never been whether a pastor would be allowed to be a practicing homosexual. Clear biblical standards for sexual relations are given in Scripture, the Westminster Standards, and the BCO (1 Corinthians 6:11). Rather, the issue has been about whether a pastor could “identify” or describe himself as a “homosexual Christian” (non-practicing) and still retain office. The underlined portion of the overture has now been added to the BCO and is binding on all officers of the church.

 

Item 3

Amend BCO 38-1, regarding confessions and offended parties, as follows.

The new underlined language of the BCO will read:

38-1. When any person shall come forward and make his offense known to the court, a full statement of the facts shall be recorded and judgment rendered without process. In handling a confession of guilt, it is essential that the person intends to confess and permit the court to render judgment without process. Statements made by him in the presence of the court must not be taken as a basis of a judgment without process except by his consent. In the event a confession is intended, a written Confession (i.e., a sufficient summary of the facts, the person’s specific confession, and any expression or evidence of repentance) must be approved by the accused, and by the court, before the court proceeds to a judgment, and the cosigned document shall be appended to the minutes (regular or executive session). No other information may be presented without written consent from the accused and the court, and this prohibition includes individuals, prosecutors, committees, and commissions. A censured person has the right to appeal (BCO 42). The person has the right to be assisted by counsel at any point, in accord with the stipulations of BCO 32-19.

In any instances involving a personal offense (BCO 29-3), the court shall attempt to inform the offended person(s) of that part of the Confession the court deems pertinent to the offense against him or her. The court shall invite the offended person to provide the court comment on the Confession prior to final approval of the Confession by the confessor and the court. The court shall encourage the offended person to enlist the help of an advisor in preparing any such comments. In all instances, the court shall report the way such offended persons were informed of the parts of the Confession pertinent to them.

Explanation: Item 3 passed with 99% of presbyteries for, and by a vote of 1,769 for and 43 against at GA (Overture passes GA with 98%). This language is to ensure that a person on trial within a church court confesses to the full satisfaction of the court and in full congruence of the sin committed. It allows for the accuser to comment on the confession so that the court does not accept a partial or incomplete confession from the accused. The underlined portion of the overture has now been added to the BCO and is binding on all officers of the church.

Excursus:

Nominations of Moderator and Clerk

Ruling Elder Steve Dowling was elected Moderator of GA51, and Brian Chapell was re-elected Stated Clerk.

Review of Presbytery Records

Before moving to overtures 17, 3, 13, 33, 1 and 26 which were debated and presented for vote and on the GA floor, it should be noted that the report from the Review of Presbytery Records Committee (RPR) resulted in the referral of Metro New York Presbytery and Columbus Metro Presbytery to the Standing Judicial Commission. The Standing Judicial Commission (SJC) is set up to deal with any church discipline cases appealed from the presbytery level. The SJC conducts and concludes trials without the input of GA, and their decision functions on behalf of the assembly.

A.    New York Metro Presbytery was cited for not instituting a Judicial Review against a Senior Minister who allowed a female Episcopalian priest to preach in a worship service, thus violating BCO 29-1. The Assembly voted to send the matter to the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC).

 

B.    This matter of Columbus Metro Presbytery came with reference to a letter from a congregant of a now disbanded PCA church. The letter alleges that after the congregation’s pastor and ruling elders resigned, the presbytery took their only assets ($18,000) without allowing the 60-day notice to the small congregation. The Assembly recognized that the presbytery was wrong in their action and referred them to the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC).

 

Overtures Continued:

 

Overture 17

Originally this overture sought to make Background Checks mandatory by adding to the BCO. But it was amended in the Overtures Committee, resulting in the following non-binding statement:

Be it resolved that presbyteries and sessions are encouraged to adopt policies for conducting background checks on every candidate for office.

Explanation: The statement passed with a voice vote. Grounds for the substantive change from the Overtures Committee were: “The overture would have mandated background checks without mandating the process and procedures. A “one-size-fits-all” mandate in our BCO raises several issues, including who gets to see the results of background checks, who pays for them, and who protects the private information required. The amended language encourages church courts to adopt policies and procedures, which is wise, without making specific mandates.”

 

Overture 3

Overture 3 from Pee Dee Presbytery requested to amend the BCO by giving constitutional status to Chapter 53 of the Directory of Worship. Currently the BCO chapters on Sacraments (56-58), are the only binding sections of the Directory of Worship (third section of the BCO). Historically the PCA does not have a binding Directory of Worship. Chapter 53 of the Directory of Worship describes the “Preaching of the Word.”

The overture would have also added to chapter 53 the line:

Only qualified men may be invited to preach in any churches under our care and only with the consent of the Session.

Explanation: The motion failed 857 against- 906 for- 13 abstained. At this point the reason for this “down vote” is unclear. Many presbyters are uncomfortable with changing elements of the BCO without a current conflicting example. I would argue that the NY Metro Presbytery situation is enough to tighten conscription on something as important as preaching. In a speech on the floor, one elder said that the motivation behind this overture was to inch toward uniform worship in PCA churches. If that’s the case, this could have made some elders more guarded against voted for the overture. With that said, other binding chapters of the BCO require preaching in the Worship service to be carried out by Teaching Elders (BCO 8, 12). I believe we will see a form of this overture continue to be presented at future GA’s.

 

Overture 13

Overture 13 from Calvary Presbytery recommended that the assembly declare that last year’s letter sent from GA50 to U.S. Government Officials was to be commended as Biblically Faithful. The letter can be found at https://byfaithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/General-Letter.pdf

The overture is as stated:

That the 51^st General Assembly commend as biblically faithful the letter written by the PCAGA50 Moderator’s Commission, humbly petitioning leaders of the United States Government “to protect the lives and welfare of minor children from the physical, mental, and emotional harms associated with medical and surgical interventions for the purpose of gender reassignment.”

Explanation: The motion passed 985 for- 727 against- 35 abstained. Some may ask how this could be a close vote. Though I would guess that everyone in the assembly agreed with the substance of the letter, there is debate within Presbyterianism as to whether the church should proactively petition the government. The debate is based on Westminster Confession Ch. 31.4 which reads: Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is ecclesiastical (church): and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.

 

Overture 33

Overture 33 was sent to GA by an individual rather than a presbytery. This means that it did not pass the threshold of approval in the particular elder’s presbytery. The overture originally was concerned with the book Jesus Calling. Written by Sarah Young, a former PCA missionary, the book has sold over 45 million copies after the original publishing. One can read about the reasons given for this overture from the author who wrote it in these two articles: https://www.knotsbetter.com/post/jesus-calling-pca-lament-repent

https://www.knotsbetter.com/post/the-pca-ga-corporate-repentance-and-jesus-calling

In lieu of the length of this report (if you’re not already asleep), I’ll provide the rewritten overture from the Overtures Committee as presented to GA. But you can read the original overture here https://pcaga.org/resources/#overtures

Therefore be it resolved that the General Assembly request reports to be returned to the 52^nd General Assembly from the permanent committees of the two agencies most connected with the Jesus Calling book.

From the permanent committee for the Committee on Discipleship Ministries, a brief report will:  

1.     Examine the history of the CDM’s relationship with the book and outline its reasons for withdrawing the book from its inventory previously and not offering it for sale since.

2.     Assess the book’s appropriateness for Christians in general and PCA members and congregations in particular with special regard for its doctrine and method.

3.     Provide recommendations (if needed) for remedial materials, advisory statements, or General Assembly actions concerning Jesus Calling.

And from Mission to the World, a brief report that will:

1.     Examine MTW’s relationship with the book, knowledge of its content, and any counsel given to the author.

2.     Consider actions that MTW and the General Assembly should take in light of this study of the book and of the agency’s relationship to it.

Explanation: The motion passed 947 for- 834 against- 20 abstained. Matters of concern over the book have been ongoing for years in the PCA. But one wonders why this overture has been presented at this year’s GA. It should be noted that Sarah Young passed away last year. And that her widow spoke on the floor of GA in opposition to the overture. With sincere  consideration and respect to the family, the book is problematic. But the real question is whether it should be addressed by the church body as a whole— given that the author had been a member and missionary of a PCA church.

Overture 1

Overture 1 submitted by Piedmont Triad Presbytery concerned whether atheists should now be allowed to testify in church court cases. Currently BCO 35-1 and 35-8 do not allow for an atheist witness to testify, because they cannot take an oath before a God in whom they do not believe  (Westminster Confession Ch. 11). This is the second year an overture of this nature has been presented to the assembly. Much of the impetus behind the submission concerns recent abuses in the evangelical world and a study committee report issued in 2022 by the PCA Ad Interim Committee on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault (DASA) here: https://pcaga.org/aic-report-abuse/

Explanation: Overture 1 failed to pass out of Overtures Committee with a vote of 71 against- 59 for- 0 abstained. But the minority within the OC submitted what is called a Minority Report (Not Tom Cruise). The Minority Report can be voted in the original overture’s place. The Minority Report was presented and failed 843 for- 880 against- 18 abstained. The Assembly then received the Overtures Committee recommendation to vote down the original overture 950 for- 750 against- 34 abstained. This means that there will be no changes to the current requirements for a witness to take an oath to testify in a court case. They must be able to take the oath to God.

Overture 26

Overture 26 from Tennessee Valley Presbytery requested to expand representation of accused persons before church courts. Amended from the Overtures Committee, the new text would read:

BCO 32-19 No professional counsel shall be permitted as such to appear and plead in cases of process in any court; but an accused person may, if he desires it, be represented before the Session for the Presbytery by any member in good standing of a church in the same Presbytery or by any Teaching Elder member of that Presbytery, or before the General Assembly by any member in good standing in the PCA. A member of the court so employed shall not be allowed to sit in judgment in the case. Courts are encouraged to suggest to the accused/appellant the names of potential representatives and potential advisors he might contact.

Explanation: The motion passed 1456 for- 119 against- 20 abstained. Though professional counsel from a Law Firm cannot be attained for the church court, any PCA member in good standing can represent the accused. This overture expands representation of the accused in the church courts to ensure justice and their cooperation.

 

Pastor John

 

 

PCA General Assembly 2021

 

Last week, the 48^th Annual General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America convened in St. Louis, MO. The General Assembly (GA) is the highest court in the Presbyterian Church in America and is tasked with conducting business brought by lower courts including, but not limited to, the reception of overtures, deliverances, resolutions, and judicial decisions.

 

This year’s GA consisted of 1,503 Teaching Elders (TE) and 613 Ruling Elders (RE) assembling to vote on 48 overtures which were submitted by various PCA presbyteries over the course of last year. This is a 500 commissioner increase from the last GA in 2019 (2020 canceled for COVID). These overtures are initially presented to an Overtures Committee who meet the same week of the Assembly. After being examined and debated by the committee, they are then passed on to the Assembly for a vote with a recommendation, unless ruled out of order, referred back to the presbytery, or answered by a similar overture originally submitted. The General Assembly then votes on the overture, resulting in an affirmative (voted for) or a negative (voted down) decision.

 

To be clear, an overture is an official communication submitted to GA from a lower governing body to a higher governing body, requesting to take a particular action, approve/disapprove, or endorse a particular statement/ resolution. Depending on the matter at hand, the decision can be binding or non-binding for both the lower courts and churches. For example, an overture requesting a Study Committee could be passed, yet even after the committee’s findings and final approval, the results are to be taken simply as “pious advice,” and are without binding and constitutional standing. With that said, any changes made via an overture to the Book of Church Order (to include the Form of Government, Rules of Discipline, and Directory of Worship chapters 56, 57, 58) are in fact binding upon churches and their elders.

 

If an overture is passed to change language in the BCO, a two-thirds vote is required by all presbyteries within the next year. The results are then presented to the following GA for a final vote. This exemplifies the difficulty in changing language in the BCO. Other overtures simply consist of nonbinding declarations or memorials.

 

My intention is to summarize the most important overtures of last week’s GA. For the sake of brevity, highlighted overtures will be listed, followed by the resulting vote, and a short commentary on the issue at hand. Overtures listed without a number count were given a voice/hand vote. The list is not exhaustive, but seeks to give a general overview of the main and most debated overtures of GA 2021. To view a comprehensive list of the originally submitted overtures, along with accompanying text, see: Resources - General Assembly (pcaga.org) To view the overtures making it out of committee and to the Assembly as well as their voted result, see: General Assembly Updates for July 1 - by Faith (byfaithonline.com)

 

 

 

Excursus

 

1.      Dr. Bryan Chapel was voted Stated Clerk of the PCA GA.

2.      The Ad Interim Committee on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault in the church was commended and granted an extension to complete their report through 2022 with a budget of $25,000 given by an anonymous donor. 

 

 

The following overtures are listed in order of “most debated and discussed” at GA 2021.

 

 

Overture 23

“Amend BCO 16 by Adding a Clause Which Prohibits Ordination for Men who Self-Identify as ‘Gay Christians,’ ‘Same-sex Attracted Christians,’ ‘Homosexual Christians,’ or Like Terms”

 

The Assembly voted in the affirmative as amended. The vote was 1438-417. There was a lengthy debate on this overture as well as #37. Over the last three years gender and identity have become a divisive issue in the PCA. With these topics at the forefront of debate, it should be noted that no one that I am aware of has advocated for practicing homosexual men to be ordained or married in the church. The primary issues entail whether a person who identifies as same sex attracted —using the orientation language of the LGBTQ+ community— is qualified for office. Other issues include whether a Christian or candidate can ever see these disordered affections change within their lifetime.

 

The Study Committee on Human Sexuality, as well as overtures #23 and #37 are a direct result of these debates within the PCA. Because this overture constitutes a change to the BCO, a two-thirds majority vote will be needed by all presbyteries over the next year. If passed by two-thirds of the presbyteries over the next year, the assembly will then take a final vote at GA 2022 in Birmingham, AL.

 

The amended language will read as follows:

BCO 16-4 Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. Those who profess an identity (such as, but not limited to, “gay Christian,” “same sex attracted Christian,” “homosexual Christian,” or like terms) that undermined or contradicts their identity as new creations in Christ, either by denying the sinfulness of fallen desires (such as, but not limited to, same sex attraction), or by denying the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, or by failing to pursue Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions are not qualified for ordained office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overture 37

“Amend BCO 21-4 and 24-1 Clarifying Moral Requirements for Church Office”

 

The assembly voted to answer Overture 37 in the affirmative. The vote was 1130-692. The Overtures committee also issued a minority report that removed: “While imperfection will remain, he must not be known by reputation or self-profession according to his remaining sinfulness, but rather by the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 6:9-11).” But this report failed in a floor vote.  

 

The affirmed amended language will read as follows:

BCO 21-4 e. In the examination of the candidate’s personal character, the presbytery shall give specific attention to potential notorious concerns, such as but not limited to relational sins, sexual immorality (including homosexuality, child sex abuse, fornication, and pornography), addictions, abusive behavior, racism, and financial mismanagement. Careful attention must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires. The candidate must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin (Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 8:29) and to bear fruit (Psalm 1:3, Gal. 5:22-23). While imperfection will remain, he must not be known by reputation or self-profession according to his remaining sinfulness, but rather by the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 6:9-11). In order to maintain discretion and protect the honor of the pastoral office, Presbyteries are encouraged to appoint a committee to conduct detailed examinations of these matters and to give prayerful support to candidates.

 

The paragraph is also to be amended to BCO 24-1 for the election, ordination and installation of Ruling Elders and Deacons.

 

 

       Overture 14

“Revise MTW Manual”

 

The Assembly voted to answer Overture 14 in the affirmative. The vote was 961-814. Mission to the World (MTW) is the Foreign Missions Agency of the PCA. Several missionaries took the floor to debate the manual and practice of MTW does not align with the standards of church planting on foreign soil. Those who debated in favor of the overture said that MTW has opened church planting and development ministries to men and women who are not ordained elders. This contrasts with other PCA ministries such as Mission to North America and Reformed University Fellowship. With the passing of this overture, the language inserted into the MTW manual is as follows:

All MTW leaders in line of authority over church planting or church development ministry shall be ordained elders.

 

 

 

       Overture 1

        “Amend BCO 8-7 Regarding Chaplains”

 

The Assembly voted to answer Overture 1 in the negative. The vote was 1285-415. This overture would have added language to the BCO indicating that chaplains in the PCA must go through the endorsing agency approved by the Assembly. Currently the approved agency is the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains (PRCC). Those who are in support of the newly added language argue that chaplains who choose another endorsing agency would find themselves without the backing of the established organization. Currently the PRCC is the only agency used by confessionally reformed churches. Because this overture failed, chaplains are free to choose another endorsing agency outside of the PRCC and thus could be susceptible to conflict within their ranks given the lack of military alignment with their vows in the Westminster Standards.

 

      

      Overture 38

“Commend Human Sexuality Report”

 

The Assembly voted to answer Overture 38 in the affirmative (by show of hands).

The link to the 12 main statements of the report can be found here:  Overture-38-Commend-Human-Sexuality-Report.pdf (pcaga.org) For the entirety of the report see: AIC-Report-to-48th-GA-5-28-20-1.pdf (pcaga.org) This report has had a significant impact on helping elders this last year understand the historically Reformed and theological underpinnings of confessional and biblical standards of human sexuality.

 

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The following three items are overtures recommending that the Assembly form Study Committees for a variety of topics and issues. All the overtures for these Study Committees were voted down. Study committees are expensive, time consuming, and not binding. If a Study Committee is approved, the moderator of that Assembly chooses the committee members, and they are given a time frame and budget to complete the task. The Assembly then votes at the designated time whether to commend the report. 

 

1.      The Assembly voted to answer Overture 32, “Form Study Committee for Biblical Ethics in Digital Media” in the negative. The vote was 1340-227.

 

2.      The Assembly voted to answer Overture 36, “Appoint Study Committee regarding White Supremacy” in the negative (by show of hands).

 

3.      The Assembly voted to answer Overture 47, “Appoint Study Committee on Critical Race Theory” in the negative (by show of hands).

 

 

 

Overture 31

“Amend BCO 22 Process for Assistant to Associate Pastor”

 

The Assembly voted to answer in the affirmative as amended (by show of hands). The language of this amendment gives clarity to the election of Associate Pastors.

 

The amended language will read as follows:

BCO 22-2 The pastor and associate pastor are elected by the congregation using the form of call in BCO 20-6. An existing assistant pastor may be elected by the congregation as an associate pastor at the recommendation of the Session without the election of a pulpit committee. Being elected by the congregation they become members of the Session.

 

 

Overture 18

“Amend BCO 24-1 to Clarify that a Session has the discretion on the timing of some parts of the Exam of Officer Nominees”

 

The Assembly voted to answer in the affirmative as amended (by show of hands). This overture gives the Session discretion on the timing of some parts of the exam of officer nominees.

 

Overture 27

“Amend BCO 36 to Require Public Excommunication”

 

The Assembly voted to answer in the negative (by show of hands). Grounds: Courts should retain the discretion currently given by our Rules of Discipline as to how they will administer and/or announce the censure of excommunication.

 

Overture 48

“Repudiate Anti-Asian Racism”

 

The Assembly voted to answer in the affirmative. The vote was 1374-107.  The Assembly voted to commend the following statement:

 

The report of the Ad Interim Committee on Racial and Ethnic Reconciliation to the 46^th General Assembly speaks clearly both to the reality of the Imago Dei in all people and to the sin of racism, particularly when it affirms: a) the vision of the redeemed in Revelation 7:9-11, where all nations and ethnicities are fulfilled in Christ; b) the image of God is reflected in all people; and c) the image of Christ reflected in His body. (M46GA, Appendix V, but especially p. 599.) At the same time, we recognize the pain, and, at times, violence, that the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has experienced, particularly due to events of the past year. We express our grief together with our AAPI brothers and sisters over the pain and suffering that has occurred, whether this has happened due to unbiblical religious claims, racist pride, or any other cause. We, finally, assure our AAPI brothers and sisters of our love and support, and of our desire to walk together in ways that reflect the commitments of the Racial Reconciliation Report.

 

The following overtures were received and accepted by the Assembly in agreement with the Overture Committee’s recommendations. In a general sense these overtures could then be considered limited in debate or division. Updates from Overtures Committee for June 29 - byFaith (byfaithonline.com)

 

Overtures: 5, 6, 16, 19-21, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33-35, 40, 41, 43, 45, 46.

 

Overtures for the GA’s Rules for Assembly Operation (RAO) and debate on the Review of Presbytery Records (RPR) are not included.

 

 

Pastor John Bennett

What Does a Future Merger of the ECO and the EPC Mean for the PCA?

As the winds of progressive culture continue to pick up speed, evangelical denominations find themselves feeling the pressure of where to draw the line. History tells us that the mainline denominations, which were once evangelical in ethos, eroded under the pressure of Neo-Orthodoxy and the temptation of cultural credibility.

This Category Five has now reached the evangelical reformed world and the PCA, particularly in the form of last year’s Revoice Conference. This is in addition to the inclusion of un-ordained (at this point) female deacons and a St. Louis PCA Church’s participating in Faith for Justice— an organization that provides an ongoing teaching platform for a Transgendered Education and Advocacy Coordinator of the Missouri ACLU. One might wonder how this could be tolerated in the PCA, particularly in terms of a biblical sexual ethic; but creative parsing of sexual identity and personhood, cohabitation in the form of spiritual friendships, and promotion of conferences through the use of church facilities have muddied the waters for a direct response by many moderates.

My prayer is at this coming General Assembly, we will see an open and faithful rebuke to some of these very real fissures corroding confessional and biblical fidelity. But what if these churches continue down the path of imprudence?

I believe there are other options for progressives that will present themselves in the near future— and I don’t mean an exodus by conservatives in the PCA.

As a response to the ongoing debates and now full inclusion of LGBTQ+ membership and ordination in the PCUSA, a new denomination called the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians or ECO, was formed in 2012. This denomination quickly grew as many large PCUSA churches transitioned into its ranks. At the time, I was attending Fuller Theological Seminary in Houston, an extension established in response to the liberalism of the PCUSA seminary in Texas. However, it puzzled me that ECO retained the twelve confessions listed from the BCO of the PCUSA.

What has become clear is that this retention was simply a transitional stage as ECO moved further and further away from its former mainline roots into what is now a broader evangelical, uncompromisingly egalitarian, small “r” reformed denomination. In 2018, ECO voted to remove four of the aforementioned confessions, limiting their current standards to Westminster, Heidelberg and the Barmen Declaration. Though ECO explicitly regards these as “not binding,” they are considered guiding documents. The only binding document is presented in a statement of faith called the “Essential Tenets.”

In addition to ECO, and positioned to the Left of the PCA, is the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Compared to ECO, the EPC retains the Westminster Standards, yet they also set aside a fundamental document, “The Essentials of our Faith.” While all but two of the EPC’s presbyteries allow for female Teaching Elders, there are particular congregations within those bounds that retain both female Ruling Elders and Deaconesses.

Why the comparison of confessional documents of denominations outside of the PCA? It is no secret that the history of American Presbyterianism looks like a spaghetti junction of division and realignment. A future merger of ECO and the EPC will provide a broader evangelical home for progressives in the PCA. Some such as City Church, Houston, have already made the exit based on the egalitarian issue. Others like Christ Presbyterian Church in Houston, one of the largest churches in the EPC, voted last month to enter the PCA.

Both ECO and the EPC are beginning to look even more like the same denomination. In the current culture creep, larger denominations will provide both resources and a louder voice to whatever convictions they adhere. At current size both ECO and the EPC combined, would immediately make for a denomination just over half the size of the PCA. I believe the seeds of realignment have been planted and the trees of ECO and the EPC are beginning even now to produce similar looking fruit in the form of a New School, egalitarian, missional and culturally accommodating, small “r” reformed church.

But what does this mean for the PCA? Because of the recent exposure of the progressive vision by a few in the PCA, increasing numbers of pastors have been made aware and have begun the process of mobilizing a coordinated effort. If the aforementioned merger does occur—and I believe it will—progressives can exit slowly, having felt the pressure of a biblical resistance. Thus the PCA can wholeheartedly refocus on the mission of the church without the distraction of a Revoice or other current compromises. In turn, we will once again, and with one voice, be the conservative, confessional, and complementarian Presbyterian Church in America.

The Importance of "Immediately"

With summer ending and school quickly approaching, teachers everywhere are readying their classrooms, organizing lesson plans, and gearing up for another year of lecturing and learning. As a former teacher I can remember all of the anticipation of the first day of school. Most students would walk in the classroom with an oversized backpack while looking up at me as they entered with curious and anxious eyes as if to say, “Uh oh, a man!” I had numerous exceptional students and those six years presented to me my own learning curve in life.

But there was one thing that I never really grew accustomed to, as a teacher and classroom manager. For some it may seem trivial with all of the other possible problems that a classroom full of twenty- five sixth graders could conceivably do. But this one thing was usually met with a rather forward and displeased retort from myself. When I would tell a student to do something whether it was to pick up their supplies, clean their desk, or turn in a paper; I expected immediate action. If the student lingered, especially out of what appeared to be apathy, laziness, or disdain, I would find myself pretty frustrated and give a very quick and stern response. You see the problem was that numerous episodes of lingering students could add up to more than an hour of wasted instruction time for that day. My classroom required immediate action when instructed, because time was precious and it could not be wasted.

            In the book of Mark and I am struck by how many times the author uses the word “immediately” in reference to either the action of Jesus or the response of those who encounter him. Below are just a few examples from chapter one:

“And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn                         open…” vs. 10

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness…” vs. 12

“And immediately they left their nets to follow him.” vs. 18

“And immediately he called them and they left their father Zebedee…” vs. 20

“And immediately on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue…” vs. 21

“And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” vs. 42

Mark speaks to us with an emphasized urgency, highlighting the practice and presence of Jesus. In contrast, I often catch myself lingering at the thought of approaching God in prayer or worship. After having spent focused time with him, I wonder why I was so hesitant in my initial approach. But Mark reminds us that the urgency of Jesus’ work is an example for us in which we are empowered to reflect on our own daily mission. In that reflection, let us approach the presence of God with the same immediacy as that of our Lord Jesus.

Pastor John