Polity Protects People from Pragmatism
A robust commitment to follow biblical polity is both relational and loving. The rules we have agreed to follow help us to minister faithfully together and encourage shepherding and discipleship.
On August 11, 2024 I marked 11 years of ordained ministry in the PCA. With each passing year, I grow more grateful to God for the PCA and for preserving me in it.
I was reflecting recently on the blessings of PCA polity and culture. Someone once quipped about the PCA: “she is full of pastors who want to be lawyers and lawyers who want to be pastors.” Whether meant as a pejorative or as a compliment, it’s true!
Each year at PCA General Assembly, there are numerous constitutional and procedural questions. And whenever there is controversy, numerous men head for the microphones with their “Blue Bricks” and iPads in hand to remind us of the appropriate procedure or requirement from our Form of Government or Rules of Assembly Operation.
In the PCA, we believe polity is important because it comes from our King. This is reflected in the beginning of our Book of Church Order:
Christ, as King, has given to His Church officers, oracles and ordinances; and especially has He ordained therein His sys…