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 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 The Editors | June 21, 2023 With the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) behind us, the denomination’s elders who attended have been or will be reporting on the actions and events of the Assembly to their congregations, as required by the Book of Church Order (BCO) 12-5.f. Teaching Elder … More Charting the Votes of PCAGA50
By Jared Nelson | June 19, 2023 One potentially confusing part of the deliberations at the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) was the consideration of Overture 7. You can see the substance of that overture in a previous Presbyterian Polity article here. While there was some confusion as to substance … More The Route for Amending the RAO: Explaining How the 50th GA Handled Overture 7
by Zachary Groff | June 13, 2023 The 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) formally opens with a worship service, Stated Clerk’s address, and the election of a moderator this evening (Tuesday the 13th). However, the important business of the Committees of Commissioners (CoCs) commenced yesterday and will continue throughout the … More Action & Accountability at PCAGA50
by Reed DePace | June 8, 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 readers’ … More Seeking to Strengthen the SJC at PCAGA50
by Joshua Torrey | June 8, 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 readers’ … More Should the PCA Require Background Checks
By Dan Barber | June 8, 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 readers’ … More Response: Making the Case FOR Overtures 10 & 14
by Zachary Groff | June 7, 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 readers’ … More Crafting Sexuality Criteria for Church Officers
By Matt Fender | June 6, 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 readers’ … More Should Atheists Be Able to Testify in Church Courts?