Continuing faithfulness requires clear language

The PCA General Assembly met last week in Richmond, Va., where more than 2,000 commissioners deliberated and celebrated God’s work in the largest Bible believing Presbyterian church in North America. The very use of the name commissioner is a reminder that the PCA is represented by elders whose mission is primarily spiritual, serving in a body that has as its stated purpose the work of the Great Commission.

The Assembly is many things at once. It is a business meeting, a prayer gathering, a missions conference, a networking event, and even something of a trade show—all packaged for PCA people. Among all these emphases, “Knit Together”—taken from Psalm 139—was the theme and calls for unity were regularly made from the platform.

As always, the Assembly attracted visitors from around the world, including fraternal delegates from sister denominations such as the Free Church of Scotland, Korean Presbyterian bodies, and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Visitors also came from Christian networks such as the World Reformed Fellowship, an organization formed (largely) by members of the PCA in 1994. While these visitors are welcomed and given a platform, their presence is often overshadowed by the main business at hand.

And that business included matters of real importance. The need for theological clarity led the General Assembly to change our rules as found in the beloved Book of Church Order (BCO), a process that comes to the body through overtures. This year, the PCA significantly strengthened its commitment to complementarianism, avoiding the pitfalls of other denominations, by starting the process to clarify the Book of Church Order by adding the language: Furthermore, unordained people shall not be referred to as, or given the titles of, the ordained offices of pastor/elder, or deacon. In addition, the denomination continued a trend of tightening the requirements for ordained officeholders by adding the following descriptions of elders and deacons: He should conform to the biblical requirement of chastity and sexual purity in his descriptions of himself, and in his convictions, character, and conduct.

There is more to that language than some might recognize. With that act the PCA took a stand and rejected the errors of the Revoice conference and its affirmation of so-called “Side B” LBTBQ identity. The Side B advocates call for the inclusion and affirmation of some form of LGBTQ identity within the church. This language takes a decided stand against such confusion, particularly with reference to ordained officeholders.

The PCA also encouraged (but did not mandate) the use of background checks for officers by approving this statement: Be it resolved that Presbyteries and Sessions are encouraged to adopt policies for conducting background checks on every candidate for office.

A letter written last year by a special commission condemning gender reassignment surgery and genital mutilation was approved and commended to the church. Interestingly, theological concerns were raised by an individual minister about a bestselling book, Jesus Calling, written by a Covenant Theological Seminary grad and PCA missionary, Sarah Young, who died in 2023. After considerable debate—including a dramatic statement of disapproval from Mrs. Young’s husband—the matter was sent to two different PCA agencies for assessment and response to the concern.

By any measure, the General Assembly was not boring. As denominations go, the PCA is rather young. Her history began in 1973, with a meeting held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Ala. Only a few hundred churches were represented at that historic meeting, just over a half century ago. Fifty years is a very short time in the sweep of church history, but the PCA’s history is rooted in the Bible, in Reformation Scotland, and in the old Presbyterianism of early America. The denomination has always been committed to the old understanding of God’s word as inerrant and authoritative.

By God’s grace, the General Assembly in Richmond reminded us that the PCA is one of the few evangelical denominations still growing. Furthermore, the PCA now includes almost 2,000 congregations, unapologetically affirming their commitment to a high view of Scripture and reformed theology along with a robust commitment to missions and evangelism. The PCA is not going to compromise on issues involving human sexuality. Indeed, in many ways it has renewed its original vision of remaining “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.” This year’s General Assembly continued that commitment, but faithfulness requires that we arrive at every annual assembly with the same commitment and firm conviction.