Originally from Philadelphia, PA, I currently serve as the Director of Advancement & Admissions at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, SC and Pastor of Antioch Presbyterian Church in Woodruff, SC.
by Scott Edburg | November 23, 2023 As fall fades to winter, 40 presbyteries have taken up the three proposed amendments to the Book of Church Order (BCO) initially approved and passed down by the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Nearly half of the presbyteries have offered advice and consent … More November 2023 BCO Amendments Update
by Scott Edburg | October 29, 2023 As October ends, 26 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) have offered their advice and consent concerning the three Book of Church Order (BCO) amendment items sent down from the 50th General Assembly. As a general reminder, there is a three-step process that the PCA must … More October 2023 BCO Amendments Update
By Ryan Biese | October 11, 2023 How a church-plant, or “mission church,” (BCO 5-1) transitions to become a “Particular Church” is outlined in BCO 5-9. Until a “mission church” becomes a particular church, the church plant is usually under the care of a Presbytery by means of one of two temporary arrangements. In the … More Can a Temporary Session Impose a Pastor on a Church Plant?
by Zachary Groff | October 10, 2023 The venerable ecclesiastical word “Presbyterian” has fallen on hard times. The Twentieth Century played host to a fierce contest between so-called Modernists in one corner and so-called Fundamentalists in the other. Christians of every denominational stripe were caught between the opposing forces of theological Liberalism and a fractured … More Review: Well Ordered, Living Well by Guy Prentiss Waters
By Adam Parker | October 9, 2023 Is it possible that the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has had, since its inception, provisions in its Book of Church Order (BCO) which violate its own Preliminary Principle (#6) regarding the rights of congregations to consent to those who serve as their pastors? I suspect that most … More Tension in Our Polity: A History of the Assistant Pastor
by Scott Edburg | September 30, 2023 As the presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) begin taking up the amendments this fall, I hope to provide monthly updates on how the amendments are faring throughout the country. There are only three items – in contrast to last year’s twelve – sent down by … More September 2023 BCO Amendments Update
by Zachary Groff | September 28, 2023 The Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) reports annually on statistical changes that take place each year, including ministerial and congregational departures from the denomination. Over the past two years, I have published posts (here, here, and here) which have brought together data to ‘track … More Ministry Moves Reported in 2023
By Zachary Garris | September 27, 2023 Every communing member in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) takes membership vows. While officers (elders and deacons) take vows to uphold the Westminster Standards and Book of Church Order, church members take vows acknowledging their sin (vow 1), affirming their trust in Christ’s salvation (vow 2) and … More Membership Vows & the Third Commandment
By Jared Nelson | September 21, 2023 While all of the proposed amendments to the Book of Church Order (BCO) received about three-fourths (or more) support at the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCAGA50), Item 1 (i.e., Overture 26), is most likely to receive a measure of debate and discussion in … More Hammering Out Item 1
by Philip Ryan | September 20, 2023 “The words ‘system of doctrine,’ have a definite meaning, and serve to define and limit the extent to which the confession is adopted.” ~ Charles Hodge [1] The Westminster Confession and Catechisms are a treasure. When people ask for a good one-volume systematic theology, I usually recommend the … More Our System of Doctrine