I viewed a good deal of the PCA GA last week. Below are my random observations. I shall use “ssa” to shorten same-sex attraction.
1.) I was more than a little amazed at the number of Elders who stood up at the PCA GA or later wrote in tweets or blogs and admitted they experienced ssa. Who knew that the PCA had so many ssa Elders?
2.) I was beyond amazed and entering into the territory of being shocked to witness the display of effeminacy on display at PCA GA microphones. My gaydar nearly burnt out a chip trying to keep up. I found myself wondering if these guys were exchanging estrogen-laced recipes between sessions. I’ve seen this kind of thing a few times before at ecclesiastical meetings so I’m no stranger to this phenomenon but I never thought I’d see it at a PCA GA.
3.) It is my conviction that in the end, the PCA GA offered more trimming than substance in what they accomplished at PCA GA. The problem these men (“men ” ?) have is not going to go away short of running the ssa leadership crowd through the church courts one by one.
4.) Overture 23 was a motion to amend the Book of Church Order (BCO) 16 by adding the following clause:
16-4 Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. Those who profess an identity (such as, but not limited to, “gay Christian,” “same sex attracted Christian,” “homosexual Christian,” or like terms) that undermines or contradicts their identity as new creations in Christ, either by denying the sinfulness of fallen desires (such as, but not limited to, same sex attraction), or by denying the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, or by failing to pursue Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions are not qualified for ordained office.
This sounds good on the surface but already during the debate some of the ssa crowd were practicing their future evasion technique by saying that they have never claimed as same sex attraction identity insisting instead that they have experienced same sex attraction. The line of reasoning on their part goes this way; “My identity is in Christ but that doesn’t change the fact that I experience same-sex attraction. As such I completely concur that my identity is in Christ but my identity can be in Christ while at the same time experiencing same-sex attraction.” In such a way the ssa crowd can evade the strictures of this new amendment to the BCO. (Also consider that it still has to be affirmed by 2/3 of the PCA Presbyteries in order to be made law.)
I agree that a fair reading of the new amendment to the PCA Book of Church order would shut the door against ssa folks but we have to keep in mind that these people are not going to give the proposed amendment a fair reading. They are going to twist the language going forward just as they have already twisted the language to get to this point. If they have not given a fair reading to Scripture and its clear forbidding of what they have been advocating why would anyone think they are going to give a fair reading of this proposed amendment? A fair reading would require them to leave the denomination en mass right now. They are not going to do that.
5.) Overture 37 was a motion to amend BCO 21-4 and 24-1 by “clarifying the moral requirements for church office.”
Therefore be it resolved that, for the examination of Teaching Elders, BCO 21-4 be amended to add a new sub-paragraph 21-4.e, as follows, with the subsequent sub paragraphs [21-4.e-h] re-lettered [to be 21-4.f-i] (addition underlined):
BCO 21-4.
e. In the examination of the candidate’s personal character, the presbytery shall give specific attention to potentially notorious concerns, such as but not limited to relational sins, sexual immorality (including homosexuality, child sexual abuse, fornication, and pornography), addictions, abusive behavior, racism, and financial mismanagement. Careful attention must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires. The candidate must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin (Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 8:29) and to bear fruit (Psalm 1:3; Gal. 5:22-23). While imperfection will remain, he must not be known by reputation or self-profession according to his remaining sinfulness, but rather by the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 6:9-11). In order to maintain discretion and protect the honor of the pastoral office, Presbyteries are encouraged to appoint a committee to conduct detailed examinations of these matters and to give prayerful support to candidates.
My first instinct on this one is to say that if a denomination has a problem with these kinds of candidates seeking to get into the ministry one has a problem that Presbytery examination is not going to cure. I’m over 60 and I must admit that all of this blows my mind. So many guys want to get into the ministry who are pedophiles, sodomites, porn fiends, and routine fornicators that we have to form special committees to keep all these chaps out?
I would think if one went to all the time and cost to get through Seminary so as to be ordained in the PCA that no committee is going to ferret out this stuff and I’m not sure we want to turn PCA committees into a modern version of the House committee on un-American activities.
Note the section that admits that “imperfection will remain.” I bring this to your attention because some Twit on the floor of GA tried to make the case that these requirements were examples of Wesleyan perfectionism and Keswick higher living leaking into the denomination. Only a Twit could think such a thing.
Elsewhere viewing the PCA GA made me aware of some things that I only feared were true prior to watching the PCA GA in action.
11.) Critical thinking skills are as absent in the PCA as they are in the broader culture. Listening to all the non-sequiturs and dumbassery was particularly painful at times. Indeed, there were times I had to quit viewing the PCA GA it was so bad.
