Kevin DeYoung elected moderator of PCA General Assembly

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America on Tuesday night chose Pastor Kevin DeYoung to moderate the denomination’s annual meeting. The assembly is taking place in Chattanooga, Tenn., and could run through Friday. DeYoung is pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, N.C., and a council member of The Gospel Coalition. He has written several books, contributes to WORLD Opinions, and is an associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, N.C.

Pastor Jason Helopolous, a longtime friend of DeYoung’s, made the nominating speech. “In a time when clarity is rare and conviction is costly, he has shown both – without partisanship, without pride, and without compromise,” Helopoulos said. “He holds fast to the Scriptures, loves the Reformed faith, and speaks the truth in love. And through it all, he carries himself as a servant of Christ.”

DeYoung was originally ordained in the Reformed Church in America but in 2015 led his church at the time, University Reformed Church of East Lansing, Mich., into the PCA. “Coming to the PCA General Assembly felt like a breath of fresh air,” he said during his acceptance speech on Tuesday night.“Yes, we have our disagreements and controversies in the PCA, but the unity and fellowship and doctrinal agreement are so much stronger than what I had experienced before.”

What does the moderator of the PCA General Assembly do? While the role of moderator has functioned as a way to honor respected and long-standing PCA elders, it also requires extensive knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order and skill with keeping the assembly on track, especially during complex procedures and floor debate. Over the next few days, DeYoung will lead the assembly through a packed agenda, likely including hours of debate on certain items of business. 

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on the recent retirement announcement of the PCA’s top administrator.