Next week (June 12-16), commissioners and others will gather in Memphis, TN for the 50th General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA is the denomination of which our church, Grace Community, is a part. GA serves a variety of purposes. It is a time for us to gather in corporate worship. Reports will be heard about how the Lord has been at work in and through the PCA over the past year and how we see Him potentially working in the future. There will be overtures and other items to discuss and debate. And it is a family reunion as many reconnect with former seminary friends and co-laborers for previous calls at other churches.
Given this year is the 50th GA, there is a significant note of celebration. We will spend time giving thanks to God for His faithfulness over the past 50 years. Video testimonials will be sprinkled throughout each day’s work. A special concert will be held on Wednesday night. A commemorative issue of byFaith, the PCA’s magazine, is being produced. We have many reasons to rejoice in the goodness of our God.
At the same time, there will be a pall over our Assembly. In recent weeks, we have lost several of the leaders in our denomination. TE Harry Reeder, senior pastor of Briarwood PCA in Birmingham, AL, was killed in a car accident. This is significant, not only for TE Reeder’s leadership in the PCA, notably as a past moderator of the GA, but also because Briarwood is where the 1st GA was held. Less than 24 hours after this news came the announcement that TE Tim Keller had died following a battle with pancreatic cancer. TE Keller’s impact extends far beyond the PCA.
As with all GAs, there are issues of contention and controversy. Some of what will be before the Assembly includes:
- Discussing how to make our judicial processes fair, wise, and just to both the accused and the accuser.
- Adding a requirement to our Book of Church Order that all elders undergo a background check
- Amending the BCO to allow objections to decisions of the Standing Judicial Commission, which serves as a type of Supreme Court for judicial matters.
- Considering request to petition the government to end sex-change procedures for minors
- Clarifying the standards for church officers, particularly regarding identification by a sin struggle
At some point following the Assembly, I will update you on what transpires at GA.
Saints, please pray for this upcoming Assembly. Some of the matters before GA may seem inconsequential but they deal with how we express our connection with one another throughout the denomination. Pray for safety for all attending. Pray for the presence, filling, and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, especially in those matters where there is disagreement. Pray that ultimately the work of the GA will resound to the glory, honor, and praise of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
