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
by Guy Prentiss Waters | September 8, 2023 Most Presbyterians have attended an ordination service, but many Presbyterians don’t fully understand what they are witnessing. What exactly is (not) happening when men are ordained to office in the church? What are the benefits and blessings of ordination to the church’s officers? The PCA’s Book of … More The Benefits & Blessings of Ordination
By Jared Nelson | September 5, 2023 There are many potential motivations for studying the Book of Church Order (BCO): for personal growth and edification, to understand presbytery or General Assembly meetings better, to work through a difficult church matter, or to pass your BCO/polity exams for officer training. No matter the motivation, early in … More Studying the Book of Church Order: Some Resources
By Justin Andrusk & Matthew Lee | August 22, 2023 Perhaps one of the greatest blessings of the Christian faith is the blessing of the Lord’s Day, setting aside one day in seven to gather with God’s people for His worship. The conviction that the Lord’s Day ought to be set aside for worship is … More Morning & Evening in the PCA
By Scott Edburg | August 17, 2023 I may not be King Theoden from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and we are not on the verge of the Battle of Helm’s Deep, but I would like to make the observation that we in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) are beginning another significant event … More And So It Begins…
By Zachery Byrd | July 27, 2023 Is the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) a “Big House,” or a “Big Tent?” How about a third option? The PCA a “Big Flock!” In its 50-year history the PCA has enjoyed numerical growth nearly every year, so much so that the 50th General Assembly reported 390,319[1] members … More How to Keep 390,319 Sheep in Green Pastures
By David Patrick Cassidy | July 21, 2023 Please note that the Editorial Board of Presbyterian Polity does not necessarily endorse all views expressed on the blog of this site, but the editors are pleased to present well-crafted position papers on issues facing Presbyterian churches and denominations. What follows is one such paper for our … More Yes, We Need Overture 23
By Brad Isbell | July 18, 2023 What equipment does a newly minted Ruling Elder need? I would propose the following: the Bible, the Westminster Standards, the Book of Church Order (BCO), a phone for texting members and fellow elders (there is lots of texting), an email account, and that most presbyterian item of men’s … More In Praise of the Humble Blue Blazer
by David W. Hall | July 12, 2023 Editor’s Note: What follows below is an excerpt (pp. 124-127) from Irony and the Presbyterian Church in America by Dr. David W. Hall (Covenant Foundation, 2023), the first published history of the PCA’s inaugural 50 years. Single copies are available for purchase from Amazon.com, and discount pricing … More A New History of the PCA’s First 50 Years