Fall 2023 PCA News Roundup
An All Star Panel assembled to the Westminster Standard Podcast to discuss the health and happenings in the PCA over the last six months of 2023
On this week’s episode of the Westminster Standard Podcast veteran Pastors George Grant and Fred Greco joined the panel along with some younger elders including RE Matt Lee, TEs Job Dalobma, Zack Groff, Stephen O’Neill, and Ryan Biese to reflect on the news in the PCA since Moderator Greco gaveled the close of the 50th General Assembly.
Moderator Greco delivered remarks on the health and “state of the PCA” in which he expressed joyful optimism about the future prospects of this beloved communion.
Items 1-3: BCO Amendments
RE Matt Lee provided insight into the current BCO Amendment items before the Presbyteries and noted they are being ratified by the presbyteries at very high rates. It seems almost certain Items 1-3 will be ratified by the Presbyteries in early spring. At that point the 51st General Assembly will need to approve the changes for them to take effect.
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Both TEs Grant and Greco noted the unity expressed around these three items speaks well for the health and commitment of the PCA.
TE Greco praised the patience of the PCA as well as TE David Strain who help to draft “Item 2,” which has served to bring the Church together around our constitutional language regarding personal holiness.
New Proposals for the 51st General Assembly
The panel discussed the available overtures for the 2024 Assembly. A summary of that discussion is below:
Overture 1 has been revised by Piedmont Triad Presbytery based on criticism and concerns to its initial overture. The All Star Panel notes continued issues with the revised form and questioned its necessity. TE George Grant noted the PCA Courts already allow evidentiary testimony from police reports and other expert reports. He reminded us these are church courts and questioned the argument as to why atheists should be admitted.
Overture 2 seeks to standardize the process for ministers transferring to a new presbytery. The All Star Panel appreciated the proposed change. Look for an episode premiering January 1, 2024 with TE Alex Ford who authored this great overture!
Overture 3 attempts to codify a slightly modified from of BCO 53 regarding preaching to specify that only a “qualified man” may preach. The All Star Panel noted the amendment would not define “qualified man,” but leave that to the discretion of the Session. This overture ignited a firestorm on social media earlier this month; the All Star Panel analyzes the alarm expressed by numerous pastors in response to this proposal from Pee Dee Presbytery.
Overture 4 proposes a temporary committee to assess changes to the rules of discipline.
Overtures 5 and 6 propose to shift the boundary of Piedmont Triad Presbytery (5) and to insert a requirement for background checks into the BCO.
Overture 7 is a superb proposal from Ascension Presbytery authored by RE Jay Neikirk to standardize, streamline, and simplify the way overtures are considered by the committees of the General Assembly. The All Star Panel believes such a change would both reduce the workload of the Stated Clerk in the days leading up to General Assembly as well as preserve the role of the General Assembly’s Overtures Committee.
TE Sean Lucas & Synods in the PCA?
While there is no overture to accomplish this yet, the All Star Panel discussed a statement from TE Sean Michael Lucas (pastor of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Memphis) asserting the PCA is “desperately” in need of Synods.
TE Zack Groff commended TE Lucas for the courage to issue this call and noted how the PCA is already exercising some synodical functions.
Synods could function as an intermediary court of appeal between the Presbytery and the General Assembly’s SJC. Followers of the Jonesboro 7’s travails via this site as well as the Aquila Report, PCA Polity, and American Reformer might speculate as to whether the “abuse” of the Session of Elders largely from IPC Memphis might have been overturned sooner if a synodical structure had been in place.
Synods could also potentially provide support to smaller Presbyteries for the purpose of investigation, review & control, and/or church planting.
Churches Coming & Going
As previously reported on the Westminster Standard Podcast, congregations who disagree with the PCA’s historic position of the roles and callings of men and women in the church are departing the PCA for ecclesiastical fellowships who do not hold the same biblical and historical commitments as the PCA.
While some churches are leaving, others are joining with the PCA because of a renewed commitment to biblical teaching on church office. A congregation of the PC(USA) in New Jersey is in talks with the local PCA presbytery in hopes of being received.
Also look forward to an episode premiering January 8, 2024 with TE Burk Parsons on the decision of St. Andrew’s Chapel to join the PCA.
Conclusion
Now is a great time to be in the PCA and to participate in her courts! God has been abundant in His faithfulness to the PCA over her first 50 years, and how kind God is to grant us such a remarkably healthy and unified 50th year.
Thanks to our All Star Panel for their insights. And thanks to everyone for your support of Mid the Pines, Jude 3 & the PCA, and the Westminster Standard Podcast.