Why I Joined the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America)
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- In this video I discuss why I joined the PCA, the Presbyterian Church in America. Briefly, my reasons are that the PCA (1) is confessional and reformed, (2) takes ordination seriously, (3) is deeply reflective on theological controversy, (4) is a brain-trust of gifted thinkers, and (5) holds to the Regulative Principle of Worship.
I just attended a PCA church this morning. It was very different from the SB church I have been attending. It was more the way I remember church services being 30 yrs ago. I am planning on going back next Sunday.
How’s it going? I’m thinking about switching over
I just visited a pca church in my area. Very different from the efree church I normally attend. I liked it. My soul has been staring me to find a church that goes deeper and has more reverence for God.
I just visited my local PCA church yesterday, after having not stepped foot inside a church gathering in over a year. I did a lot of research beforehand. Long story short, I'm glad I went, and I look forward to returning next week. It's not the theology that draws me there; it's the seriousness. This church seems to stick to its theological guns, takes worship and teaching seriously, incorporates the importance of confession of sins, etc. The sermon was methodical and carefully thought out. I don't care for their strong Calvinistic leanings one bit, but the way they conduct themselves in their weekly gatherings feels spot-on. It felt like I was in an intentional and holy and substantial gathering, not just a budget rock concert with a heartfelt but lightweight sermon.
One of the best worship experience I enjoyed was singing hymns with just a piano in accompaniment.
Matthew, having been baptized, nurtured, and ordained in the PCUSA, serving the church for 15 years, I found I could no longer serve in good conscience within that body, precisely because it was the very opposite of what you mention about the PCA. I had a similar experience in the examination process when transferring to the PCA (I'm glad to know it was not just me). Thank you for your labors here.
Growing up, I came from a Calvinist family in Indonesia. Poor and hard life, the flotsam-and jetsam in the village, I experienced what poverty has nurtured us to be: the even stronger human being. I had sores all over my body as a child (protein deficiency, as we could afford cassava as our food), and I hunted farms rats, snakes, and lizards to heal my sores. We all survived simply because of the grace of the Lord.
I'm a former member of IPB (Presbyterian Church of Brazil) and left the country, now member of a PCA congregation in Europe.
It's like being part of the same denomination, both subscribe to the CFW with the same degree of seriousness.
Thank you so much. I enjoyed the summary at the end about the PCA.
Wish that the Church of Scotland took a look at its sister churches in North America.
Whilst I'm not a Presbyterian (I'm broadly reformed baptist), the CoS really needs to re-reform.
I agree, Matthew Taylor!
Yep but you have the Free Church of Scotland that is a biblical denomination right?
This is a great video. I have been fortunate to have a PCA church in my town. We are small but vibrant. I was drawn to the PCA for some of the same reasons that you expounded upon in the video.
Me too :)
@@Creationhorse 😸
I'm from a non-reformed church who has become a confessional reformed and is now praying and thinking about transferring to a reformed church here in the Philippines. I'm pastoring for a year now in the church where I grew up attending. I studied bachelor of arts in theology. Thank you for this content, I became more inspired to follow my reformed confession of faith. There are few reformed churches here in the Philippines, however, but we're praying for the reformation of churches here in our country filled with self-help mega churches and charismatic movements. I'm also praying for and looking for further training in theology at RTS. Again, thanks for your contents especially this.
I'll pray for your church and for reformation theology in your country. Reformed confessionalism makes a huge difference in your church life.
@@erc9468 thanks much!
Thank you for this video. Thank you for sharing.
Looking forward to see you in GA next year, brother!
Love PCA feels like home.
Welcome brother! Nice video.
I am presbyterian from Mizoram India
Pastor Everhard, with sincere respect, the PCA only holds to the Regulative Principal of Worship (RPW) on paper (WCF, Ch. 21). A vast swath of congregations in the PCA have no idea of the RPW, many others outright reject it. Many congregations in the PCA have praise bands and engage in all manner of "will-worship" and so offer "strange fire" to the LORD, doing in worship what he has neither desired nor commanded. The upshot of the RPW is that If it is not prescribed, it is not permitted; If it is not warranted it is not wanted; if it is not commanded, it is not commended (WCF 21:1). Sadly, there are many "camps" in the PCA (Revivalistic "Evangelicals", Broad (Liberal?) Evangelicals, Charismatic-ish Evangelicals, Traditionalists, Truly Reformed (Confessionalists, RPW advocates, Theonomists)), maybe others to boot, I suspect. What the PCA has done will - IMHO - is provide a framework for these desperate groups to co-exist in the same denomination. In this the PCA provides a level of unity that glorifies the Lord. I think the way it has done this is to listen to and take all comers seriously. This is evidenced in the careful attention it pays to policy and position development, as per your video. On that we truly agree. But to the degree that the PCA tolerates a broad swath of unbiblical worship, etc., is the degree to which one has to question it's belief in and commitment to the RPW. Just sayin'....
Welcome pastor grateful to have you. I’m a layperson who came to the PCA when I came to love some particulars of Southern Presbyterianism in addition to those points you pay forth which are more broadly applicable to NAPARC denominations. Over the years, I’ve seen much to celebrate in the denomination and much against which one must fight but pray with deep gratitude to God for a denomination that is worth the fight. Again welcome!!
PCA became a more effective beacon of the Faith when Francis Shaeffer disappeared!
Thank you for posting this video (even though it's been up for 1 year). I've been thinking about the PCA church. Something has drawn me to this denomination for some reason. I was raised a Southern Baptist. But, there is something about the PCA that has intrigued me. There is nothing I have wrong with my church right now, I am just curious about the denomination. So, thanks again for the video.
I'm a former non reformed kjvo fundamental Baptist turned fully reformed 5 point Calvinist PCA guy myself. About 5 years ago me and a preacher friend stumbled across Rc Sproul's teaching and wow.....I'm just now beginning to be aloud out of my cage😂. Welcome to the PCA!
I myself have the same background. I attended Bible Baptist in Pensacola FL (Peter S Ruckman) for several years and a church in Norfolk VA that followed PSRs teachings. Through Ligonier ministries my understanding of God's word has deepened. I enjoy the the teaching and preaching that I have been exposed to. I am going through the process of becoming Presbyterian and am leaning toward the ARP denomination. I am however still praying about whether to consider uniting with a PCA congregation
I live in a small rural town in West Texas...the only PCA church's are out of town 2 hours away and Im a widow at 70...I wish there was one closer...In have been going to an open brethren fellowship but really want PCA PRESBYTERIAN...
I'd like to live in a more rural area. There are few PCA churches in these areas.
Love your honesty. I was wondering when you were going to leave the other denomination. PCA seems like a better fit for you.
I recently finished reading Dr. Morton Smith's book "How is the Become Dim." The volume is about 40% Dr. Smith's book and 60% for a couple dozen appendices of PCUS GA actions. One of them from 1966 to 1970 deals with the "anti-assembly" attitudes in Middle Mississippi presbytery. One of the issues was the hours long oral examinations. Oh, and also RTS.
This is not a criticism as much as an observation, but I have found a very wide spectrum of adherence to the regulative principle of worship in PCA churches. Some are quite conservative while others have the things you'd find at non-denominational mega church.
Another observation: other NAPARC denominations are increasingly concerned about the direction the PCA is moving on social justice issues but are afraid to lose the biggest member of the alliance.
You're right about both of those.
"Social Justice" is a bogus deviation from the job to preach the GOSPEL.
In San Antonio PCA churches seem to be more organized and youthful than the other Presbyterian affiliations.
Am Presbyterian from Rwanda
How would you compare/contrast the PCA and the LCMS? Both conservative confessional denominations, but following somewhat different traditions.
Am a Presbyterian from Vanuatu.
Bless you brother.
I am been entering into the world of cinematic screenwriting. So, I have been learning elements of story structure. A properly constructed story will emotionally grip an audience. That emotionally prodding would help insure cerebral retention about what is preached in a sermon or taught in a Sunday School class. Would you be for preachers and Sunday school teachers learn true elements of proper storytelling as a part of well rounded teaching ministry of a church.
Why not OPC instead of PCA back when you made this transition? Curious on your thoughts currently. And a follow up to your time in PCA as an elder of Gospel fellowship in review of the duration of time from this video to now. Thanks!
Ah, so you did join PCA. I look forward to hearing more. Perhaps you will ease my concerns expressed in my comment on your explanation of Presbyterian denominations video of last year.
I'm quite curious, what's the difference between PCA and OPC apart from the difference in history? And why PCA over OPC?
Great question. I would say that there are many churches in the PCA that are more "evangelical" than they are reformed confessional. The sermons, music, and general attitudes are more like any other non-reformed evangelical church. But there are also alot of churches in the PCA that would be almost identical to OPC churches. But in the PCA, its more of a mix.
There are also some problems in the PCA that don't currently exist in the OPC. Problems like pastors and churches pulling in secular concepts of justice, oppression, and power.
When making this decision did you ever consider the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches? Just wondering because you have always seemed very conservative. May the Lord richly bless.
Please excuse my ignorance if this is a bad question, but how does "sola scriptura" not contradict "we hold to the Westminster Confession of faith and the larger and shorter catechisms as the doctrinal standards for our congregation?"
Great Question Brother. Many individuals get confused when Confessional Belivers says they hold onto a confession and Sola Scriptura.
When Reformed Individuals say "Sola Scriptura," they are saying that scripture is the sole infallible authority. Other things, such as councils, creeds, confessions, and (even Elders in a Local Church), have a degree of authority as well. However, these authorities are under the authority of the God-Breathed authority- Scripture.
Jordan Cooper (a Lutheran) did a great video on this. I have the video time-stamped for when he starts: ruclips.net/video/cHg0sXkfwvI/видео.html
Faithful Academics thank you!
I am looking for conversion to Christianity but I am confused among denomination I like Presbyterian and it's democratic ideas but why should I choose Presbyterian over other denomination if anyone could guide me that would be a great help.
I bet it's confusing to new converts. Even many life-long Christians themselves know little about denominations and just go to whatever nearby church that they feel comfortable in, or entertained by, regardless of denomination. Increasingly, they're just staying home on Sunday.
There are too many denominations for me to say much about it here. But, my advice is just to find a Bible-believing Lutheran or Presbyterian denomination. For example, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) rather than the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA). The easiest way to find out if a denomination is Bible-believing is to check to see if they only allow male pastors.
What are your though on the OPC, the original PCA.
I've liked the OPC, but they don;t seem to be growing
Sinclair Ferguson has resulted in some PCA live streams temporarily suspending comments. I liked Dr. Carl McIntire and Dr. Duane Edward Spencer myself !
I wish there were PCA churches in the Philippines. Then again, would it become the Presbyterian Church in the Philippines (PCP)?
I'm Presbyterian & my church belongs to the PCUSA which is different from the PCA. However I believe this merge is merge is more recent because I've grown up in my church for almost 30 years being ultra conservative and our services are more in line with PCA no that's pretty much how my parents were raised and what they believe and don't seem to be in line with PC USA beliefs or practices.
However I'm a young person and I can see a lot of drawbacks to gaining or retaining a younger population with the way PCA is. Here's an example, pretty Is much every boyfriend or friend that I ever brought to perch church wants to wants to fall asleep because it's incredibly boring boring and they don't seem to get very much out of it however when I'd been to non denominational churches they seem so much more lively and fun and people can get into that and they get more out of it. Me personally I like a little if both
I one time dated a girl who had attended a nondenominational church where the pastor did legit ride a motorcycle around the inside the church.
"Big Top over Jesus: Sponsored by Ford F150."
Nondenominational churches are sickening to me.
Your like the Presbyterian Jordan Cooper!
So there are
PCUSA
EPC
PCA
What scare me as a presbyterian was seeing the demise of the Church in my town in the late 1970s! I was baptized in that church as a baby and attended as a youth! Even though many people went to that church it failed because no one wanted be pastor after a long time pastor passed away! This scared me as a young Man because if no one wants to be pastor in a small town then the church will fail!
So why should I stay believing if the presbyterian church can leave my town, then Maybe I should leave the church!
Why didn’t you or someone else responsible or moved take on tbe Pastor position? Seems like theres more to that story
@@sixstringcity3931 The small towns often can't afford to pay a pastor very much. I can be like a vow of poverty.
What's your thought on RPCNA
Love it. Could easily be one, but I'm not.
Sadly, I found John M Frame's 1996 book on worship subversive of the Confession's position on worship.
What about the OPC?
If you can find an OPC church, that can be a good choice
I am PCA Welcome to the denomination.
Not to say this in a negative way but to understand. Have you seen the academic standards have replaced the life standards in order to be ordained as a Pastor or elder? To take a test and be anointed as a pastor sounds a little odd. Maybe there is a time where the ordination committee follows the pastor-to-be for several years prior to ordination?
Please share .....do you agree or not with the Federal Vision . You are aware there are those who do not agree with the Federal Vision.
Hi, can someone please tell me, I am a Presbyterian, I was Baptized at birth, am I allowed to go to a non denominational christian church or do I have to go to a Presbyterian church (wondering because there is not Presbyterian churches around me)
You can go wherever you like. You can go to a non-denominational church - just don't let them tell you that you need to be baptized again!
Here's a helpful tool which can help you find a good church in your area.
www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1d_UbOHoEYBmcyriC09r3x2AdcP4&ll=41.41792957904216%2C-94.2269254713567&z=5
I left the Reformed Church in the United States for a Baptist church due to the dictatorial bullying that the RCUS Classis and synod like to do to the local congregations. I'll never understand why reformed churches think the presbyterian style of governing is Biblical. What really upset me about the RCUS was how they did licensure and ordination exams. There is lots of politics involved. It greatly depended on how popular the candidate was and even more so, which church he was being called to. Some churches in Classis could have hired a drunk off the street and gotten him ordained and the next church will have great difficulty getting their man ordained no matter how good he is. I saw this firsthand with multiple pastoral candidates. No more RCUS for me.
What do you think about the acusacion: "The PCA is turning liberal equal PCUSA"?
What is close to the pca? Concerning eschatology, confession and conservative without going as far as the some of the extreme churches which are a small number? I am having a terrible time finding a church that doesn't deny clear biblical teachings. Is there a time to just settle. Most swing far far left or to the far right to the point of legalism. Seems that way here.
I might consider the EPC if there was no PCA or OPC in the area. In some cases older PCUSA congregations might be okay in many regards, I wonder why conservatives stay in the PCUSA?
@@timothykeith1367 thank you, i looked in our area since i asked this and it seems they are all very liberal. Except one whom got upset for doing some work on the Sabbath out of mercy. So i thank you again, i will continue my quest. Thanks
Ride a motorcycle in the sanctuary? Not a bad idea lol
Agreed. I dont see a problem w/ deviating from tradition. In fact I think they only stand to reach moreach more people that way if if they continue the path they're on on their congregation retention rate Or gaining new members is going to die off. My church is an example of this it's filled with a bunch of old people with super conservative traditional beliefs and while I can identify with that and appreciate much of it it doesn't leave room for a new growth and our church almost completely died and closed up if we didn't merge with another church we would have went under
I’ve bern a member of two different. ELCA Lutheran churches, and never saw a statue of any kind...anywhere. The ELCA..sadly...is way too liberal these days... The local ELCA pastor...newly ordained...will not even refer to God as a male... Choosing to simply keep repeating the word “Gid”. .
When I was studying for my MAR ..in acCatholic institution...I was taken to talk by the Director, for referring tinGiscas He, in a major paper...Yikes!
I'm not sure that your favorable mention of Tim Keller has aged well...
why cant a denomination just be Christian. I hate Calvinism personally and Biblically, but I'm at a point in my walk where I have to put aside non-foundational theological differences to break bread with a body that loves God. No, I mean, love God. Love His Christ, His Word, and His people.
I don’t like the term Calvinism but if you hate the doctrine of predestination and election than you don’t love God.
I.consider myself as a Calvinist but you need to understand ANYBODY who wants to be.saved will be able to accept the Lord as their Savior. Those who are not of the.elect will not even care.
Thats because Reformed Christians aren't as hateful as Christians who believe in the Freewill Gospel. Reformed Christians don't call other Christians, Arminians with derision the way Arminians call Reformed Christians, Calvinists with derision.
Can I join the PCA and not be a Calvinist?
You could but you’ll constantly be battling in your mind theologically. I’d recommend you find a non Calvinist denomination if you aren’t a Calvinist, perhaps the lcms?
No doubt it depends on the individual church to a degree, but the membership vows in the PCA's Book of Church Order only require you to affirm: (1) you're a sinner in God's sight, (2) you believe and rest in Jesus alone for salvation, (3) by God's grace you will "endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ", (4) you will support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability, and (5) you will submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church. I'd be surprised if a PCA church required subscription to the WCF, or any other statement of Calvinism, as a condition of membership.
Will their Calvinist position bother you? Only you know that for sure. I can say that at my church (which itself is not PCA, but all its ministers are; our senior minister describes the church as "more PCA than the PCA, as OPC as the OPC"), you're not going to hear more than 2-3 sermons a year that are distinctly Calvinist. We tend to preach straight through books of the Bible (we were in the middle of Luke when I started attending; we finished that, preached through John, and have just started Acts), and when a distinctly Calvinist passage comes up, that's the understanding you should expect to hear. But that isn't something that happens all that often.
David Dukes favorite church! Even The National Review condemned the PCA.
I thought you joined because of Sarah Young's best selling book 🤣
Didn't Jesus established only ONE CHURCH?
He says in Matthew 16:18 "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,* and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."
Our Blessed Lord says "church", not "churches". Question is: Which church is it?
This "Church" is important to be recognized since it is the "pillar and bulwark of the truth".
1 Timothy 3:15 says;
"But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth".
And Jesus says if a brother sins and refuses to listen "tell it to the church" on the account of one or two witnesses. Again, which Church?
Matthew 18:17
"If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.* If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector."
All TRUE BELIEVERS belong the Universal Church. Just asking but are you a Church of Christ. Thx
@@dennisbryant4095 He's a Roman Catholic.
What about the 7 different churches in Revelation? One Body, many parts. (1 Cor 12:12-27)
The Roman Catholic church did not exist when Jesus walked the earth. Furthermore, Peter NEVER went to Rome so he was not the first poope.
Aaaaaa
Tim Keller and Ligon Duncan? Really? I'd be ashamed to have them in my denomination, not proud.
Join the Orthodox CA