Ephesians 3

Order of Service

• Sunday School Lesson — Acts 15:1-29
• Prayer of Dismissal

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Sermon Title: Fifty Years of Presbyterian Faithfulness — A General Assembly Report

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

I. What Is Presbyterianism?

A. Presbyterianism is primarily a form of church government, not merely a theological label B. The form practiced in the PCA traces historically to Scotland and the Reformation, notably through John Knox C. Acts 15:1-29 — the Jerusalem Council as the biblical model for Presbyterian assemblies

1. A doctrinal controversy arose (circumcision requirement for salvation)
2. Paul, Barnabas, and others were appointed to bring the question to apostles and elders in Jerusalem
3. After debate rooted in Scripture, a consensus decision was reached and distributed to all the churches
4. This pattern — representative gathering, Scripture-grounded debate, consensus ruling — mirrors what happens at General Assembly

II. Structure of PCA Church Government

A. Three levels of courts (ascending)

1. Session — ruling and teaching elders of a local congregation
2. Presbytery — regional court; in this case, covering Mississippi and part of Louisiana (~40 churches)
3. General Assembly — all presbyteries across the denomination and beyond; the highest court B. The PCA Book of Church Order (BCO) defines the General Assembly as "the highest court of this church" representing all churches, serving as "the bond of union, peace, and correspondence among all its congregations and courts" C. Review and control — each higher court reviews the minutes and actions of lower courts to ensure conformity to Scripture, the Westminster Standards, and the BCO

III. Highlights from the 50th General Assembly (Memphis, 2023)

A. Commemorating 50 years

1. The PCA was formed in 1973 (~240 churches) out of what is now the PC(USA), separating over theological unfaithfulness
2. Founding-era men gave testimony about the pain and faithfulness required to break away B. A season of mourning alongside celebration
3. Stephen Smallman, Harry Reeder, and Tim Keller each died within weeks of General Assembly
4. The Covenant School shooting also weighed on the assembly C. Attendance — approximately 2,300 commissioner-voters representing 1,100 of ~1,600 PCA churches D. Review and Control in action — a Presbytery was referred to the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC) for failing to act when a woman from another denomination delivered what was styled a Bible study during a morning worship service prior to the Lord's Supper E. Committee and agency reports
5. Committees and agencies (e.g., Mission to the World, Mission to North America, Covenant College, the denominational seminary) report annually to the General Assembly
6. A key structural clarification was affirmed: committees and agencies are to be submitted to and accountable to the General Assembly, not functioning as independent sovereign entities

IV. Overtures — The Heart of General Assembly Business

A. Any church officer, session, or Presbytery may write an overture — a formal request for action by the General Assembly B. 30 overtures were brought this year; a committee of ~150 men (two per Presbytery) deliberated first and brought recommendations to the floor C. BCO amendment process requires three steps

1. General Assembly votes approval
2. Two-thirds of Presbyteries ratify
3. A subsequent General Assembly gives final approval D. Guarding Christ's church against cultural capitulation
4. Over recent years, overtures have addressed qualifications and disqualifications for church officers, particularly regarding sexual ethics and identity
5. The Revoice Conference (held in a PCA church beginning ~2018–2019) surfaced a controversy over sanctification — specifically, whether the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work extends to disordered sexual desires
6. A core doctrinal dispute: one teaching elder publicly argued his same-sex attraction would likely never change even under the Spirit's sanctifying work — deemed inconsistent with the PCA's understanding of sanctification
7. This year's overture on the subject passed approximately 1,700 to 100; if ratified by Presbyteries and affirmed at the next General Assembly, three new BCO paragraphs will address officer qualifications regarding identity, sanctification, and character/conduct
8. One congregation and several ministers departed the denomination over these decisions E. Guarding Christ's name against shame and dishonor
9. The denomination has worked to place BCO language enabling churches and Presbyteries to address abuse cases
10. Goal: proactive structures to protect against wrongful accusations and abuse of any kind bringing dishonor to Christ's name