» News: Lagniappe Presbyterian Church Featured on Weather Channel

The Weather Channel covered the Lagniappe Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Bay St. Louis and its valuable ministry activity. The church not only serves the hurricane-ravaged Mississippi Gulf Coast, but it also was born amidst the disaster, being formed as it ministered to the coastal area. The church has helped manage the activities of nearly 7000 volunteers and continues to help build houses and do other reconstruction efforts. The video below contains footage of an interview with Pastor Jean Larroux who describes the work they are doing. Thanks go to readers who sent us this clip. The segment aired on June 5, 2007.

» News: New Books from PCA Pastors

Reformation Trust has published Jesus the Evangelist: Learning to Share the Gospel from the Book of John by Richard D. Phillips (PCA). The publisher's blurb reads:

"Rev. Richard D. Phillips digs into the early chapters of the Gospel of John to discover principles for Christian outreach that were modeled by witnesses for Jesus and by Jesus Himself. Phillips unfolds biblical principles for evangelism by examining the ministry of John the Baptist and the calling of the first of Jesus’ disciples. Then, through a brief study of the Lord's encounter with the Pharisee Nicodemus, he presents us with a theology of the gospel. Finally, he focuses in on Jesus' stirring encounter with the Samaritan woman to show exactly how Christ shared the good news. Phillips' clear and concise handling of these key stories will both motivate and instruct believers in their witness on behalf of Christ."

Phillips's book is available from the Reformation Trust. Phillips is Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.



Canon Press has published The Baptized Body by Peter Leithart (PCA). The publisher's blurb reads:

"What does baptism do to the baptized? Nothing? Something? In this study, Peter Leithart examines this single question of baptismal efficacy. He challenges several common but false assumptions about God, man, the church, salvation, and more that confuse discussions about baptism. He aims to offer a careful and simple discussion of all the central biblical texts that speak to us about baptism, the nature of signs and rites, the character of the church as the body of Christ, and the possibility of apostasy. In the end, he urges us to face up to the wonderful conclusion that Scripture attributes an astonishing power to the initiation rite of baptism."

Leithart's book is available from Canon Press (and other retailers). Leithart is pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Moscow, ID.

» News: Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church (USA) Breaks Ground

Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church (USA) of Newport Beach, CA held a groundbreaking ceremony after its Sunday Services to celebrate the start of construction plans to renovate two buildings. The church's original plans called for underground parking and the creation of a gym, but residents of the neighbhorhood and town challenged the construction on the grounds of increased traffic. The story received coverage by the Newport Beach "Daily Pilot".

» News: Presbyterian Church Assists in MS Rebuilding

First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Pascagoula, MS received some good press for its efforts in helping out with the "100 Homes in 100 Days" project being carried out on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Members helped with the rebuilding of four homes on Saturday in the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

(Keep in mind that the RN reports current news; we are aware of the good work that many other churches, including PCA churches and MNA Disaster Relief, have done and are doing on the MS Gulf Coast and will report as news comes to us.)

» News: Federal Vision Blog Zeitgeist

PCA FV/NPP study committee member Robert Mattes (Ruling Elder) has started a new blog wherein he discusses the FV controversy and engages in the online discussion concerning the FV. Mattes criticizes Douglas Wilson's book about slavery, drawing criticism from David Baly (PCA Pastor) and a response from Douglas Wilson. Mattes's followup is here.

In response to the passage of the Federal Vision study committee report's recommendations, Peter Leithart (PCA Pastor) drafted a letter to the Pacific Northwest Presbytery. Then, in a series of followup posts, Leithart has considered several related issues: infant baptism and saving benefits, infant baptism and the FV, paedocommunion and the FV, judgment according to works, academic freedom, the committee's procedures, justification by faith, the nature of what baptism confers, temporary salvation, sociology, judgment according to works (again), Charles Hodge on the same, Adamic merit, Gospel and judgment, Trinity and Judgment, Jesus as judge, justification and judgment, Leithart's own work on the topic of justification, freedom of inquiry, verdict and promise, sloganizing and controversy, faith and creaturehood, the covenant of life, assurance, promissary nature of baptism, a reading list of books influential to Leithart's thinking on these matters, catholicity and the PCA, and the theology of the cross.

In light of Leithart's letter and posts, accusations were made that implied he was "finally" expressing his true views on matters about which he previously dissembled - said R. Scott Clark (professor at Westminster Seminary California) "Here we have a clear indication that the FV/NPP committee was telling the truth and that, perhaps, like Arminius, some FV folk haven't been entirely forthcoming about what they actually believe." Another poster called Leithart's actions disingenuous. In response to these rumors, Leithart asked the Stated Clerk of the Pacific Northwest Presbytery, Robert Rayburn, to vouch for his honesty and plain dealing in their previous inquiries. Clark interpreted Leithart's letter as his "daring his presbytery to do something" - an interpretation he reiterated after being challenged by fellow members of the bbwarfield discussion group.

Leithart's letter is the first observable result of the passage of the Federal VIsision study committee's nine recommendations. We will report on any news concerning investigation by the Pacific Northwest Presbytery, or on any additional letters that may be published by pastors as a result of the study committee's recommendations.

Lane Keister (PCA pastor) has begun a series of responses to Leithart's work on justification here.

R. Scott Clark has posted several public letters (1, 2) calling upon elders, pastors, and laypeople in Reformed denominations to take action on the Federal Vision and against specific Federal Vision advocates. He writes, "GA has spoken and now the real work must begin."

Another noteworthy contribution to the current polemics of the FV issue is James Jordan's six-part essay "How to do Reformed Theology Nowadays". He writes, "So, the churches are miniature academies. People are not taught the Bible, but the confession of faith, over and over. When they go Back to Basics they study the book by that name and thereby get a course in systematic theology. I should have thought that the 'basics' were learning to chant all the psalms, getting a real practical knowledge of the laws of Exodus and Deuteronomy, and coming to be able to walk through every book of the Bible. But not for Calvinists. ... Now, what does this mean? It means that Calvinistic churches exist in a state of perpetual warfare. The Greek notion of truth as comparison and contrast reigns supreme. There is continual fighting over doctrine and continual suspicion of other Christians, especially those closest to us! The transformative purpose of the Church is virtually destroyed; hence pastoral counseling for damage control becomes an overwhelmingly large part of the church's effort."

One response to Federal Visioninsts that is easily observable on the internet is the alleging of a contradiction between the professed "high church" approach of the Federal Visionists and their not heeding the voice of many reformed denominations that have condemned the Federal Vision. A part of this argument concerns the CREC, the church to which many FV opponents call upon the FV men in their denominations to enter. It is alleged that the CREC is the creation of Douglas Wilson and that it represents a lack of catholicity and a further fragmentation within Protestantism. Douglas Wilson responds to these criticisms in a blog post, emphasizing the history of the CREC and its unique challenge of accommodating baptists and paedobaptists in the same church.

» News: OPC General Assembly Completes Business

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church completed its General Assembly on Wednesday, June 20. A complete summary of the assembly's activities is available online. Also available is a slide show of photographs.

» News: New Website for CREC

The Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches has launched a new website. An interesting feature of the site is a list of frequently asked questions.

» News: Gospel Coalition

The Gospel Coalition website now promises that the materials from this conference will be available on June 28th. We previously reported on this parachurch organization and its diverse participants.

» Feature: Sermon O' the Weekend

This weekend's featured sermon comes from Tenth Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Philadelphia, PA. Pastor D. Marion Clark delivered the sermon "Fellowship of the Gospel" on Phillipians 1:27-30. The sermon is available at SermonAudio in both audio and video format.

» News: OPC General Assembly Update

Saturday, The Orthodox Presbyterian Church considered its proposed Directory for Public Worship, section by section. After completing the perfection and approval of 5 out of the 18 sections, the assembly deferred further consideration of the directory to 2008's General Assembly. The assembly made its decision to defer on the basis of time constraints.

On Monday, the assembly approved a name change for the Presbytery of Northern California. The presbytery will now be designated as the "Presbytery of Northern California and Nevada" because of the addition of three churches in the state of Nevada. The assembly heard from the Committee on Christian Education and Great Commission Publications, including word about several new publications orderable online.

The assembly considered the much anticipated report on illegal immigration Monday evening. To quote from the OPC's GA summary:

"While a prima facie case might be made that many illegal aliens cannot make a credible profession of faith because of their apparent failure to submit to the governing authorities ... it is nevertheless appropriate for sessions to judge the credibility of a person's profession of faith based on a case-by-case basis." Hence, "it is not wise for presbyteries and sessions to determine in advance that a person's illegal status automatically disqualifies him from membership in the church, neither would it be appropriate to determine in advance that an illegal status is of no consequence... It should be the goal of presbyteries and sessions that as much as possible all members live as legal aliens or residents in keeping with Romans 13:1-2 and the implications of the fifth commandment (LC qq. 125-128) and the ninth commandment (LC qq. 144-145). It is therefore appropriate for the presbyteries and sessions to provide assistance to members seeking to change their status so that they may live as legal residents."

No word yet on the Assembly's conclusion concerning this report.

Tuesday's work largely concerned a judicial case brought by Gregory Baus. Baus appealed several decisions of the Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic. The assembly declined to sustain his appeal in a nearly day-long consideration of the matter.

The Assembly has not yet adjourned; RN will continue to update as new information is released. Photographs of the assembly are being posted online and, as mentioned previously, there is a running summary of events at the OPC website's update page.

» News: PCA General Assembly Overtures

Examining the recordings of the PCA General Assembly committee of Bills and Overtures, we may now report action on the following Overtures:

Overture 1 from Southeast Alabama Presbytery (to CCB & OC)
"Revise BCO 35-7 to Omit Transcript of Testimony" - NEGATIVE

Overture 2 from Presbytery of New Jersey (to CCB and OC)
"Delete 'or' and substitute 'the' in BCO 56-4.d." - NEGATIVE

Overture 4 from Westminster Presbytery (to CCB & OC)
"Revise BCO 21-1 Regarding Presbytery's Declining to Approve a Pastoral Call" - NEGATIVE

Overture 9 from James River Presbytery (to CCB & OC)
"Revise RAO 15-2 to Limit Service on Overtures Committee to Three Consecutive Assemblies" - NEGATIVE

Overture 10 from The Presbytery of Eastern Canada (to CCB and OC)
"Amend BCO 12-1 and 12-2 to Change Quorum Requirements for Session Meetings" - AFFIRMATIVE (with ammendments to perfect the language)

Overture 13 from Alexandria Presbyterian Church (VA), Rejected by Potomac Presbytery (to CCB and OC)
"Revise BCO 13-1; 14-2 to Require Church Giving to Higher Courts in order to Vote in Higher Courts" - NEGATIVE

Overture 14 from North Texas Presbytery (to OC)
"Resolution of Praise to God for the Ministry of TE Paul G. Settle" - AFFIRMATIVE

Overture 15 from Potomac Presbytery (to OC, CCB)
"Amend BCO 21-4, Paragraph 7, Regarding Teaching Approved Exceptions" - NEGATIVE (Vote: 58-1-0)

Overture 16 from Southeast Alabama Presbytery (to OC)
"Honor RE W. Jack Williamson" - (~ AFFIRMATIVE, already acted upon in the assembly, no need to vote)

Overture 21 - NEGATIVE

Overture 7 from James River Presbytery (to CCB & OC)
"Add 'from presbyteries' to RAO 11-1" - AFFIRMED

Overture 8 from James River Presbytery (to CCB & OC)
"Revise RAO 14-8.d and RAO 19-2 to Delete Oral Reading of Reports" - AFFIRMED

The following Overtures were not mentioned in the reports of the committees we have reviewed, and we will continue our attempt to find the outcomes. In the cases of Overtures 20 and 21, neither of these were included in the original list of overtures. Most of the remaining overtures below concern Presbytery configuration changes.

Overture 17 from Tennessee Valley Presbytery (to MNA)
"Change Boundaries of Tennessee Valley Presbytery"

Overture 18 from Nashville Presbytery (to MNA)
"Change Boundaries of Nashville Presbytery"

Overture 19 from Heartland Presbytery (to MNA)
"Divide Heartland Presbytery; Create Platte Valley Presbytery"

Overture 20 - ?

Overture 3 from Metropolitan New York (to MNA)
"Redefine Metropolitan New York Boundary" -

Overture 5 from New York State Presbytery (to MNA)
"Redefine Boundary New York State Presbytery"

Overture 6 from Philadelphia Metro West (to AC)
"Commemorate 500th Anniversary of Calvin's Birth"

Overture 11 from James River Presbytery (to MNA)
"Change Boundaries of James River Presbytery"

Overture 12 from Eastern Carolina Presbytery (to MNA)
"Change Boundaries of Eastern Carolina Presbytery"

» News: OPC General Assembly Continues

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) has provided a detailed summary report of the actions and activities of the General Assembly meeting this week at Dordt College and wrapping up no later than Wednesday the 20th of June.

One innovation employed at this year's OPC assembly is electronic voting by the delegates, allowing for instant, accurate counting of votes for various motions and elections. Today's sessions are dedicated to considering the draft of a new directory of public worship, a rare liturgical development among conservative Reformed Presbyterian churches.

Photo Credit: David K. Thompson

» News: CRC Synod Summary

The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) completed its Synod Friday at Calvin College. The CRC has conveniently posted a summary of the major decisions of its Synod here. Some highlights that may be of interest to RN readers:

1. Synod approved plans for a new hymnal to replace the Psalter-Hymnal
2. Synod voted to remove the word "male" from its requirements for holding ecclesiastical office.
3. Any CRC congregation may now ordain women as ministers, elders, deacons, or ministry associates.
4. A provision was added allowing that delegates to classis or synod who believe that including women delegates is in violation of the Word of God may record their protest officially
5. A report about "third-wave" pentecostalism was recommitted for further study.
6. Synod approved the ESV (English Standard Version) of the Bible for ministry and worship use
7. Synod repented for past "racist values" evident in some of its decision-making
8. Synod appointed a study committee to consider paedocommunion
9. Synod voted to dissuade congregations from practicing infant dedication and reaffirmed commitment to infant baptism.

» News: PCA General Assembly Wrap-Up

Complete archives of the PCA General Assembly videocast are now available in Windows Media format. This format is playable on both Windows and Mac computers.

The assembly finished its work on Thursday. As previously reported, on Wednesday the PCA voted by a large majority (90 to 95% by most estimates observed online) to adopt the recommendations of the Federal Vision / New Perspectives Study Committee. The Assembly's adoption of the recommendations has the following effects: 1. The assembly commends the committee's report to the PCA for consideration, 2. The assembly reminds the PCA of the role of the Westminster Standards "as standard expositions of the teachings of Scripture in relation to both faith and practice", 3. The assembly commends the 9 declarations of the report to the denomination as "a faithful exposition of the Westminster Standards" and calls upon ruling and teaching elders to inform "their courts" (i.e., sessions, presbyteries) of any differences between their views and the 9 declarations, 4. The assembly reminds Sessions and Presbyteries of its duty to exercise doctrinal oversight, and 5. The assembly dismisses the study committee with thanks.

The nine declarations of the report now become the focus of the PCA's consideration. The declarations each have the form of stating that a particular view associated with either the Federal Vision or New Perspectives on Paul is contrary to the Westinster Standards. Two questions confront Presbyteries as they examine elders who are either accused of holding suspect views or elders who submit their views to Presbyteries for consideration: a. do their views in fact fall under one of nine disallowed views, and b. if so, will their views be considered allowable exceptions or become grounds for further discipline. Currently the PCA does not have uniformity with regards to what exceptions are allowable or disallowable by every presbytery. One case is presently before the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC) that tangentially involves the Federal Vision issues; it relates to the procedures used by one presbytery in its examination and exoneration of a minister accused of holding views associated with the Federal Vision that are out of accord with the Westminster Standards. As a result of the SJC's inquiry, the presbytery, Louisiana Presbytery, conducted a reexamination of the minister in question, Steve Wilkins, in accordance with the SJC's instructions to keep minutes and record the examination (recordings available in MP3 - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). On January 20th, the Louisiana Presbytery met to consider the issue and voted to forward its decision that there is no "no strong presumption of guilt" against Wilkins, together with a copy of the oral exam transcript, recording, and Wilkins's written responses. The next action in this case will come from the SJC and we will report any action when it occurs. The only other judicial case arising from challenges to ministers based upon alleged violations of the Westminster Standards with regard to the issues associated with the Federal Vision was handled by the Pacific Northwest Presbytery in the case of Peter Leithart (report pdf). The Northwest Presbytery examined Leithart and issued its report, stating the need to devote further time to investigating the issues involved with the Federal Vision perspective. It did not find sufficient warrant to discipline Leithart, but recommended studying the issues further.

The General Assembly is not specifically a time for theological controversy - by far the vast majority of floor time at the General Assembly is spent reviewing the ministries and activities of the church. Commissioners heard reports from the denominational seminary, Covenant Seminary, as well as the various missions committees of the church - Mission to North America, and Mission to the World. A video presentation highlighted two PCA works that seek racial reconciliation and community integration between caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans.

In the Thursday morning report of Covenant Seminary Bryan Chapell noted that 250,000 people per month download the seminary's online courses. The seminary has experienced 17 consecutive years of annual record enrollment. Chapell showed photographs of the building process of "Founders Hall" - a new addition to the campus, doubling the number of classrooms. Chapell noted that 300 hours of supervised field work are now required of M.Div. students. Covenant's placement rate is over 90% in the last decade for those seeking ministry positions with the school's recommendation. The retention rate (for the first 5 years in ministry) is four times the seminary average in North Ameirca. One in four M.Div. graduates will plant a new church within 8 years of graduation. Chapell emphasized that the seminary teaches from a "grace perspective" - love for Christ overcomes love of sin; redemption is more than freedom from guilt, it is freedom from the alluring power of sin. Chapell emphasized the qualities of this generation of incoming students - most are concerned to break down walls of prejudice, antipathy and class, wanting to teach confessional theology beyond traditional social boundaries.

RN will report on the outcome of the various overtures in a future story.

» News: Updates on Coverage

The Friday news roundup and roundups from all the various Synods and General Assemblies will be published tomorrow, Lord Willing. Today was "catch up on your day job" for RN.

» News: Sparkman Reports on PCA Logo Progress

General Assembly News: Wayne Sparkman, PCA Historian, began his report today on the development of a PCA logo with an historical overview of the question of creating a logo - a question that has been on the agenda of the PCA for quite a while. Sparkman noted his desire to receive logo suggestions, and announced that there will be a new section on the Historical Center website dedicated to the development of a logo.

» News: CRC Synod Summary

Due to limited resources, we at RN will have to confess an inability to adequately cover [live] the CRC Synod 2007, but the CRC has a well-designed news site where you can read news releases from the denomination as its Synod continues.

» News: PCA General Assembly Continues

Part of the work of a General Assembly is the hearing of reports by the various ministries that are undertaken by the church. Yesterday, the reports of Reformed University Fellowship (WMA Link) and Covenant College (WMA Link) were received. Reformed University Fellowship is a campus ministry of the PCA that places an ordained pastor on a college campus to organize fellowship and discipling activities among college students. RUF attempts to integrate college students into the local church, and part of the presentation consisted of testimonies from students who benefitted from the ministry. This morning, the denominational seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, presented a report (we will add link when the archive becomes available). Reports from the other broad ministries of the church both in the USA and abroad will be presented later today (Mission to North America and Mission to the World).

» News: OPC General Assembly Begins

The Seventy-Fourth General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) began Wed, June 13th at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa. David K. Thompson and Stephen Pribble will be providing updates, from time to time, at the OPC website.

» News: PCA Adopts Recommendations of FV Study Committee

After rejecting a motion to postpone consideration of the report, the PCA General Assembly today adopted the recommendations of its Study Committee by a large majority. The committee report is available here (PDF). See our liveblogging below for a summary of the flow of the discussion.

We are making available an MP3 of the Federal Vision Committee Discussion: mp3 (20 MB).

» News: PCA GA, Day 2, Afternoon

We will blogging about the Federal Vision discussion in this space as it happens.

1:40 - Considering ammendment to SJC rules about making judicial briefs available to GA delegates so that they can understand the context of judicial cases. "new business" suggested by David Coffin. New Business was accepted.

1:44 - Ridge Haven Conference Center Report

1:51 - Report of cooperative ministries committee

1:53 - Singing a Hymn

1:54 - Streaker just ran by the camera (kidding - just checking you're awake)

1:57 - Paul Fowler presents the report, opens with prayer.

2:00 - Fowler introduces the committee members, calling it a "diverse" committee to which all the members contributed. He says, "This is a debate about what constitutes the fundmentals of our system of doctrine."

2:16 - Ligon Duncan defends the substance of the report, counters some common criticisms, including asking that the process objections be set aside in favor of the content

2:18 - Sean Lucas now defends the 9 declarations, characterizing them as relating to "fixed points" of doctrine vital to the standards.

2:30 - John White now presents the recommendations of the committee report and defends a focus on the standards.

2:43 - Discussion begins with George Robertson speaking for the report

2:45 - Speech against the report on the grounds that it does not exegete scripture - speaker is Larry Hoop

2:48 - Motion by Joe Novenson to delay the report for a year, add exegesis, add indications of the positive contributions of NPP, add 2 additional members who are sympathetic to NPP / FV

2:53 - John Day speaks in favor of the motion to delay

2:54 - Jeff Hutchinson speaks against motion to postpone, focuses upon other NAPARC denominations that have spoken to the issue already

2:56 - Paul Gilchrist speaks in favor of the motion to delay, based upon lack of scriptural exegesis - compares the report to the emperor who has no clothes - the report needs the clothes of exegesis.

3:02 (Missed a few back and forth) - now there is someone from GA speaking against the motion, defending the confessional focus of the report.

3:04 - Substitute motion to receive report yet allow the committee to add scripture proofs during the assembly - not allowed.

3:06 - Howard Q. Davis - speaks for the motion in order to heal perception of unfairness.

3:07 - Dewey Roberts - speaks against the substitute - calls it a "smokescreen" that the FV / NPP claims they are not fairly understood. Issue "is the most important decision we've ever had to make because it deals with the matter of justification by faith." Says "this error is insidious."

3:10 - David Cassidy - in favor of Novenson substitute motion

3:11 - Steve McGee - speaks against the motion, says body can affirm the existing report and then commission another report about biblical issues

3:13 - Jeff White - speaks for the motion, notes agreement with 9 declarations, but would like a more charitable report to aid peace and unity of church.

3:15 - Ken Clarke (sp?) - Speaks against the motion, calls this the "tip of the iceberg" and says urgency exists

3:16 - Joe Mullin - speaks in favor of the motion, appreciates the idea of bringing exegesis of scripture into the report in order to "undergird" it.

3:17 - R.C. Sproul - focuses upon justification, imputation speaks against the motion, the "purity of the PCA" is at stake. "This is the gospel that we're talking about, gentlemen." Motion is like "asking the accused to become members of the jury."

3:19 - Craig Higgins speaks in favor of the motion - quotes Schaefer about not "choosing between an orthodoxy of doctrine and an orthodoxy of community".

3:22 - Wes Holland - speaks against the motion. Urgency is needed, churches are being divided.

3:24 - Harry Long rises to make motion to address the first four committee recommendations by vote and give them time to "address the emperor" before ruling on the 5th recommendation. Motion is out of order.

3:26 - DeGraaf - "there are men standing at microphones .... not being recognized ... in the order" etc. Moderator explains balancing the for / against.

3:28 - Andrew Voelkel speaks in favor of motion - report does not provide Presbyteries any guidance on how to oppose FV - such as suggested study questions

3:30 - David Coffin - speaks against procedural motion - believes standards are sufficient, further exegesis is not needed, is "dubious" that there can be any credible expressions of "good things" that the NPP has to offer, finally argues against sympathetic members - uses analogy of inclusion of Arian on committee dealing with deity of Christ.

3:34 - Debate not extended. Motion to postpone going up for vote.

3:35 - Paul Fowler speaks to defend the report and advocates against the motion, pointing to the committee's faithfulness to its mandate.

3:37 - Vote on the motion with cards: prayer prior to vote. Motion to postpone: fails.

3:39 - back to main motion

3:40 - Tom Cox defers time to Microphone 10 - Dave Sarfolian Great Lakes Presbytery - speaks in favor of the study committee report to address allegations of the report's being railroaded through. Mentions Missouri Presbytery report as a previously rejected consensus report.

3:41 - Question whether the committee contacted FV men; response from Fowler is "no"; committee decided not to engage the FV until after the report, then after report's completion decided that further engagement not necessary. Defends focusing on written sources. Mentions reading blogs as well.

3:44 - Time expired, debate is not extended.

3:45 - Committee Report accepted by card vote. All rise to sing a hymn.

3:49 - Administrative Committee Report presented. We will cease liveblogging at this point for a moment in order to take a break.

» News: PCA General Assembly Day 2

Will be blogging in this spot throughout the day.

10:30 a.m. - Today began with the singing of "The Church's One Foundation"

10:39 a.m. - Report of the Stated Clerk, Roy Taylor - annual membership growth rate of 1%, but many presbyteries do not report statistics. We now have churches in all 50 States.

10:44 a.m. - Now Taylor is talking about overtures. There is no commissioner's handbook PDF online as far as we have been able to see, but we will post a link if such is posted.

10:59 a.m. - Term limits for SJC members was defeated

11:02 a.m. - Discussing overture #7 (PDF) - it passed. Overture #8 (PDF) passed. All the overtures can be read here.

11:09 a.m. - Passed a few recommendations all at once in omnibus fashion. Prayer now for fraternal delegates from other churches to speak.

11:12 a.m. - Rev. Jack Sawyer, OPC (Pineville, LA) speaks to the assembly as fraternal delegate. OPC has grown by 2% this year. OPC will be receiving a report on illegal immigration at its GA this week. OPC also received a report on the Federal Vision / NPP and it is available in pamphlet form. Sawyer expresses the OPC's interest in the PCA's deliberation of the Federal Vision issue. Sawyer also memorialized a few ministers who passed away this year.

11:20 a.m. - URCNA Minister to speak - a Pastor Freswick of Bethany United Reformed Church, Wyoming MI. URCNA will be seeking to find a way to reciprocate fraternal relations with the PCA, though its rules do not currently allow this. URCNA Synod in early July will consider union with Canadian Reformed Church and will also consider a Federal Vision report. He is now speaking against paedocommunion and wondering why the PCA FV report contains nothing about paedocommunion. He praised the PCA's proposed report as well. Paul Gilchrist, of the Interchurch Relations Committee commended the PCA's previous report on paedocommunion to the URCNA delegate stating we were 'way ahead' on the issue.

11:28 a.m. - Presbyterian Church of Brazil representative, David Gomez, speaking to the assembly... 4% growth per year of Presbyterian Church in Brazil, and they now have nine seminaries and one post-graduate theological institution. Sending missionaries to 28 countries around the world.

11:35 a.m. - Korean Presbyterian Church representative speaking, Kim In-hwan, President of Chongshin Seminary.

11:42 a.m. - Rev. James Holland, EPC representative speaks and brings fraternal greetings. Their assembly meets next week.

11:44 a.m. - Brief introductions of other fraternal delegates. End of Interchurch Relations Report. (Some laughter about a "false fire alarm" notification that came through the PA system from the facility)

11:49 a.m. - Prayer and recess for Lunch

(Note: It isn't our intent to "live blog" the entire General Assembly, but we will update pretty frequently throughout each day.)

» News: PCA General Assembly Commences

The 35th annual PCA General Assembly began this evening at 7:30 central time in Memphis, TN. We will be posting updates through the evening as news emerges. You can watch the broadcast of the General Assembly opening worshipping service online at the PCA General Assembly website. Earlier, the Real Audio stream was not working, but the Windows Media stream worked fine.

9:18 pm Update: The worship service is over and there is a short intermission before the election of a new moderator.

10:09 pm Update: E.J. Nusbaum, Ruling Elder at Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, CO is the new moderator of General Assembly. Nusbaum was the sole nominee. Previous moderator, Dominic Aquila, currently serves as Interim Pastor of Village Seven Presbyterian Church. At the 33rd General Assembly, Nusbaum served as Secretary of the Committee on Constitutional Business (CCB), class of 2007. At the 32nd General Assembly, Nusbaum was also secretary of the CCB. At the 31st General Assembly, Nusbaum served on the CCB, though he was not an officer at that point. Nusbaum is a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), serving seven years of active duty. He has worked as an insurance agent since 1985. He was ordained to the office of Ruling Elder in 1987 and served as Clerk of Session for five years. He also has served on the Rocky Mountain Presbytery MNA Committee among other service rendered to the church. Active in politics and government, in 2005, Nusbaum testified in the Colorado Senate committee on Business, Labor, and Technology against Senate Bill 5 that attempted to restrict the use of credit scoring by insurers in underwriting and rating purposes. He also testified before the House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor in opposition to a similar House bill.

» Feature: Sermon O' the Weekend

This weekend's featured sermon comes from Pastor Danny Hyde of Oceanside United Reformed Church, a church in the United Reformed Churches in North America in Oceanside, California. The Biblical text is Genesis 2:4-25 and the sermon is titled "The Garden of God." Download an mp3 here.

» News: Signatures Increase to "Humble Answers" Letter

An update on a previously reported story - signatures added to the "Humble Answers" letter concerning the Federal Vision controversy in the PCA have been posted online. In addition to the original nine drafters, at the time of this news story, an additional 95 signatures have been added to the letter that seeks to defend the General Assembly study committee report from its detractors. Discussion of the Federal Vision issue is docketed for Wednesday afternoon at the PCA's general assembly and we will do our best to provide near-live coverage.

» News: News Roundup Continued

CRC: The Christian Reformed Church celebrated its 150th anniversary with a worship service attended by about 14,000 worshippers. The CRC annual synod meets this week at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. The delegates elected Rev. Joel Boot as its president; Rev. Cecil Van Niejenhuis as its vice president, elder Henry Baron as first clerk, and Rev. Jake Kuipers as second clerk.

ARP: The 203rd annual synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church met last week; details will be published as RN is able to collect further information. ARP is also planning to plant a mission church in Appalachia.

OPC: The Seventy-fourth General Assembly meets this week at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, beginning at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 13.

RCA: Wes Granberg-Michaelson, the general secretary of the RCA's Synod told the gathered commissioners that the RCA should become a "missional" church. Says Granberg-Michaelson, "How do we take good, old wine--the core of our Reformed tradition--and pour it into new wineskins--missional styles and structures that engage the culture with the power of the gospel? We need models of ministry--new churches and revitalized congregations--that combine the best strengths of Reformed identity with the most courageous expressions of missional engagement."

URCNA: General Synod planned for July 9-14, 2007.

PCA: Former Moderator Sam Duncan, ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS writes a summary of this week's PCA General Assembly. Speaking of the Federal Vision controversy, he summarizes, "For the layman, who is not familiar with this topic, the Federal Vision basically teaches that membership in a local church makes one elect; once one is elect, his salvation may be lost; baptism results in regeneration; and justification is achieved through both faith and good works."

» News: Fire Destroys PCA Church in Lincoln, NE

Early this morning, a fire destroyed large portions of the building of Zion Church (Presbyterian Church in America) in Lincoln, NE. According to the local press, the over 100 year old building is "lost." For correspondence - office@zionpca.com; the church's offices are located at 610 'J' Street, Suite 20 / Lincoln, NE 68508.

The stated clerk has released the following statement:

Dear fathers and brothers of Heartland Presbytery, Stated Clerks in the PCA, and brothers and sisters of Grace Covenant Church:

Please be in prayer for the congregation of Zion Church (PCA) in Lincoln, Nebraska and their pastors: Stu Kerns, Tobey Brockman, Adam Odell, and Keith Ghormley and elders. The main building and worship facility of the church was destroyed completely last night in a fire that apparently began in the basement kitchen area. By the time fire fighters were called to the building at 5:00 a.m., there were 15-foot flames emerging from the north side of the building and the fire had spread to the main floor. Firefighters had to go into "defensive" mode to keep the flames from spreading to nearby buildings, with the main building already a total loss. To learn more visit this site.

Zion has been a flagship church in our Presbytery, and a mother to many of us. Let us rally to her in her time of need. Please pray that they will be able to secure a meeting place tomorrow for what will no doubt be a time of grieving and worship. Also pray for the leaders as they seek to secure a temporary meeting place for worship, care for the needs of a grieving and stunned congregation, and plan for the future. Zion was to break ground on a new addition tomorrow in order to meet their growing needs for Christian Education space.

Grace,

Todd Bowen
Stated Clerk
Heartland Presbytery

Photo Credit: Keith Ghormley

» New: Friday News Roundup, Part 1

PCA: General Assembly meets next week, online webcast will be available, and RN will post a link when it becomes available. Currently, there are two websites - pcaga.com and pcaga.org - and the content appears to be spread across the two at this moment. As previously reported, a group of PCA ministers supportive of the GA FV committee published an open letter with an accompanying website. The website now has more content, including responses to specific objections to the report made by the earlier Open Letter by another group of ministers in opposition to the report. The writers of the "humble answers" document have solicited signatures to the letter, and we will link to the signature list once it is made available. RN has learned that the "30 Reasons" paper written by Jeffrey Meyers in response to the committee's report was mailed to every PCA session in the United States. Joel Garver has published a multi-part review and critique of the FV Study Committee Report: (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). Covenant Radio has posted a podcast that consists of a roundtable discussion with PCA Pastors Mark Horne, Jeffrey Meyers, and Mark Duncan about the Study Committee Report (MP3). Attorney and PCA member Jordan Mark Siverd has released a legal analysis (PDF) of the FV study committee report. Siverd also has created an online petition asking the 35th General Assembly to recommit the report.

» News: Pastors Draft Open Letter in Response to Other Open Letters Concerning the FV Report

A group of eight ministers and one ruling elder has written an open letter in defense of the Federal Vision /NPP Study Committee Report. The stated aim of the letter is to respond to the criticisms voiced by other open letters and responses to the report that have been released in the past month or so. Specifically, the letter aims to defend "the integrity of the process and the Committee, along with the modest recommendations which the Committee brings to the 35th General Assembly." Download the letter here (PDF). The signatories are: Bill Lyle, Chris Hutchinson, Fred Greco, Jeff Hutchinson, Ken Pierce, Lane Keister, Mark Gibson, Robert Stuart and Shawn T. Roberson.

The letter addresses five main objections to the Committee and its report: the composition of the committee, the lack of a minority report, the quality of the report's wording and scholarship, the committee's approach to the confession, and the timing of the committee report. The letter mentions an accompanying website - humbleanswers.wordpress.com that aims to answer "27 questions which one open letter found on the internet asks". The site also provides instructions for adding one's signature to the letter.

Bill Lyle is pastor of Parkview Church, Lilburn, GA

Chris Hutchinson is pastor of Grace Covenant PCA in Blacksburg, VA

Fred Greco is pastor of Christ Church PCA, Katy TX

Jeff Hutchinson is pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC

Ken Pierce is pastor of Trinity PCA, Jackson, MS

Lane Keister is a pastor in the Siouxland Presbytery ministering out of bounds in an RCA congregation and CRC congregation

Mark Gibson is pastor of Reformed Presbyterian Church, Beaumont, TX

Robert Stuart is Interim Pastor, Intown Community Church, Atlanta GA

Shawn T. Roberson is a Ruling Elder at Memorial PCA, Elizabethton, TN

» Observed: Reformed Social Bookmarking Site

RN has just learned of a Reformed social bookmarking site - Castle Church.

» News: Charlotte ARP Church Plant Makes Good Start

Skybrook Fellowship (Charlotte, NC), a church plant of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church received some good press in the Charlotte Observer about its new start - moving from meeting in homes to meeting in a rented facility with around 20 participants. Learn more about Skybrook Fellowship at its website.

» News: More PCUSA Churches Leave Denomination, Plan to Join EPC

Sunday, the largest church in the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church USA denomination voted overwhelmingly to leave the PCUSA and affiliate with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Senior Pastor, Dean Weaver, was quoted by the Christian Post saying their aim was to "realign ourselves with other Presbyterians in our country and around the world who believe the same things we do and have the same passion for evangelism and for missions." 958 members out of the 1,051 who voted approved this change in affiliation. See coverage also in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and a brief discussion on Free Republic.

The previous Tuesday, May 29th, Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church (SMPC) in the PCUSA's East Tennessee Presbytery voted to leave the PCUSA and take steps to join the EPC. Signal Mountain's vote was also nearly unanimous and the PCUSA presbytery noted that it could detect no "identifiable PC(USA) remnant" in the church and that it was not "in schism." The PC(USA) presbytery dismissed SMPC and allowed the church to retain its property. SMPC has not contributed church funds to the denomination since 1993, though the agreement to release the church included several conditions, one of them being continued "mission support" for the East Tennessee Presbytery in the amount of 500k payable over five years.

» News: Release from PCA's MTW / RBI

RN received this joint press release from the Presbyterian Church in America's Mission to the World / Retirement and Benefits corporations - it relates to some rumors that have been circulating about the changes to the Retirement and Benefits Annuity plan. Below is the text of the release:

A Joint Communique from Gary Campbell, President of Retirement Benefits, Inc., and Paul Kooistra, Coordinator of Mission to the World

As the General Assembly approaches, we (Gary Campbell, President of Retirement Benefits, Inc., and Paul Kooistra, Coordinator of Mission to the World) know that there has been much talk about Mission to the World's decision to manage its own annuity program. We have a very active grapevine within our denomination noted by the many communications both of us have received. The talk has varied over a wide continuum. There have been some who have charged Mission to the World with being disloyal to the PCA and moving their annuity program to the Southern Baptist Convention. On the other hand, there have been those who have stated that RBI is in trouble and must be failing.

Both of us (Gary Campbell and Paul Kooistra) plan to jointly approach the Committee of Commissioners for our respective agency or committee. Together we plan to explain why MTW's decision to manage their own program is a reasonable decision for MTW and does no harm to RBI.

RBI has been blessed by God as their program has grown over the last few years. They also have a new president who God has uniquely gifted in the area of investments. The future is brighter than ever for the RBI annuity program.

MTW on the other hand has a very unique constituency that requires a specialized communication infrastructure and in place, dedicated international advisors that if RBI were to attempt to meet these needs the cost could raise expenses to all participants in the RBI plan.

As a result of this change, RBI will be able to focus more of their resources on the majority of their constituency. The requirement on RBI to meet the needs of MTW missionaries scattered around the world will be reduced and their services to non-MTW participants will be enhanced. Because the potential loss of some MTW participants is not significant relative to the total assets under management in the retirement plan, RBI believes that over time it will be able to lower the expense ratio from its present 1.12% as assets grow and expenses remain under control. For MTW there are significant advantages to having services that will allow missionaries spread all over the world, some in very sensitive places, to interact with their annuity program advisors in a more efficient way. For those who study investing you know how important that is to the ultimate performance of a retirement portfolio. MTW will also be able to reduce the number of personnel that they employ who are now involved in the annuity program from seven to three or four.

MTW is not moving their annuity program into the Southern Baptist Convention retirement plan as some seem to be suggesting. This program will be a PCA program just like the MTW medical program is at the present time. MTW will be the plan sponsor as well as the plan manager. GuideStone was one of several third party administrators and investment advisors MTW studied over the last two years. They were chosen for only one reason and that is because they have the most experience with missionaries.

It has been said that the committees and agencies of the PCA in Atlanta, Georgia, cannot get along and that this event is just another example of that fact. Because of that, there will be skeptics concerning our stand of unity. From the point of view of both of us, this has come about through much prayer both at RBI and MTW. Jesus said and Scripture teaches that the mark of the Christian Church is their unity and love for one another. This decision was not easy for either of us. We have seen God's spirit work through us as we have been honest with each other. If nothing else, this process has been a blessing for both of us as we have seen the love of Christ work in both of our hearts.

It is likely that readers who are interested in these issues can hear more about the situation at the upcoming General Assembly of the PCA where all the various PCA sub-organizations and committees report on their ministries and activities.

» Feature: Sermon O' the Weekend

The theme for today is ordination sermons. Ordination, in Reformed churches, usually consists of a "manual imposition" - laying on of hands - of the minister by other ministers, and there are usually "ordination sermons." Another lost tradition is the "ordination brew" but we'll leave that aside for now. A similar service takes place for ministers, elders, and deacons. All of today's sermons have been preached recently at ordination ceremonies: ordination service of Chad Van Dixhoorn (MP3), Cambridge Presbyterian Church; ordination sermon for Jamison Galt (MP3), Park Slope Presbyterian Church; Deacon ordination service in Lafayette, IN; and finally, a deacon's ordination service at a Reformed Baptist congregation in Easley, South Carolina.