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 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 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
by Zachary Groff | July 7, 2023 After the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), I had the unique privilege to spend 8.5 hours in my car with a founding father of the denomination. Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. and I made the long drive from Memphis to Greenville with much … More Polity Protects the Pulpit
by The Editors | July 6, 2023 We are delighted to be partnering with the PCA Bookstore to distribute Parliamentary Procedure for Presbyters: A Beginner’s Guide by TE Jacob D. Gerber. Get your copy (or copies) today at the PCA Bookstore website. Stay tuned for information on more retailers to come!
By Job Dalomba | July 3, 2023 I no longer believe myself to be a young minister, but my time as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is still in its early days. Four years ago, I entered the PCA after serving as a Baptist pastor for nine years. I came into … More Polity Is Spiritual
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 Brad Isbell | June 20, 2023 The recently-concluded 50th Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly in Memphis, TN was the second-largest ever with (unofficially) 2250 elders in attendance; only the previous year’s assembly was larger with 2385 in attendance. More significantly, this year’s meeting solidified a trend of greater ruling elder (RE) participation in … More Ruling Elder Renaissance