DOCSLIB.ORG

PCA Pastor Featured in USA Today Scotty Smith’S Ministry Highlighted As Typical for Conservative Southern Suburbia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
PCA Pastor Featured in USA Today Scotty Smith’S Ministry Highlighted As Typical for Conservative Southern Suburbia P&R News ² March 1999 Recording the Presbyterian & Story of the Presbyterian Reformed News Church in America $4.75 per issue/$15.00 per year Volume 8 Number 1 Published by Presbyterian International News Service, Inc., Coeburn, Virginia January-March 2002 PCA Pastor Featured in USA Today Scotty Smiths Ministry Highlighted as Typical for Conservative Southern Suburbia A minister of the Presbyterian Church in toward him and his ministry. Along the way, he Pastor Smith, while confirming that he was a America (PCA) was featured in the February 19, believes that they experienced what he would call conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, 2002, edition of the national newspaper, USA Today. redemptive surprises. clarified that that should not be taken to mean that The two-part article highlighted the profound The article in the national newspaper states that he is a pacifist. I have never been a pacifist, he differences between the relatively conservative Scotty Smith wore jeans, socks and sandals as he said. Nashville suburb of Franklin, Tennessee, and the tried to reinterpretand make more palatablethe When asked what reaction there had been to rather liberal city of Montclair, New Jersey, apostle Pauls instructions in Ephesians 5:22-24 that his appearance in the national newspaper, he shared particularly on the issues of God, guns, and gays. women submit to their husbands. Some of you hate that friends were shocked that my mug was that Jill Lawrence, who covered the Franklin scene, these verses, Smith conceded. He argued that the big in the paper. He also stated that liberal elements wrote about the Rev. Scotty Smith, who is senior roles they defined amounted to mutual submission. of our community were concerned with the pastor at the 5,000-member Christ Community . They are so not about power. They are so not impression left by the article that only conservatives Church. In an interview with P&R News, Scotty about who has the final vote. and evangelicals were living in our community. Smith mused on the press coverage of him and his The article continued: For a few Sundays after He added: I so respect you and your publication ministry. Sept. 11, mirroring what happened across the country, taking the time to call me and to clarify my He noted that Mrs. Lawrence and her church attendance here surged, and terrorism was comments. photographer were anticipating that we would take the only subject from the pulpit. Smith, preaching Born in Burlington, North Carolina, Scotty Smith a club in our hand and beat our Southern women, Sept. 16 for the first time in a new 80,000-square is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and that they were surprised by the approach he foot church, assured his traumatized congregation Chapel Hill. He received his M.A.R. from took. Even so, the journalist did not catch the gist of that God existed and was good. Theres only one Westminster Theological Seminary in 1977. Pastor Smiths message on Ephesians 5:22-24, which kingdom thats going to stand, he told them. Ordained in the Southern Presbyterian Church, he was that radical submission to Christ entails a Brothers and sisters, youre part of an unshakable served under Dr. Cortez Cooper at First Presbyterian mutual submission in Christ. kingdom that will last forever. Church, Nashville, Tennessee, before joining him and According to Scotty Smith, The stress of that The reporter also wrote that Pastor Smith is a several hundred people who withdrew from First sermon was, What are those responsibilities Christ self-described 60s guy and a conscientious objector Church in 1981 to form a PCA congregation, Christ has given us in a marriage, rather than being about during the Vietnam War; and that he claims that Presbyterian Church. In 1986, Pastor Smith became power. An emphasis on domineering power is youll never hear gay-bashing from [his pulpit]. organizing pastor and then senior pastor at Christ more indicative of the Fall than of the proper However, like most in Franklin, taking [his] cue from Community Church. covenantal relationship of marriage. He averred: Scripture, [he views] homosexuality as a sin. He is the author of two books, Unveiled Hope Of course I believe theres an authority structure in Accompanying the article was a picture of Mr. (an illustrated book on the Apocalypse) and marriage. Smith in the pulpit. Even though he is a PCA minister Speechless. He is a sought-after speaker, and has Although Pastor Smith is grateful for the pastoring a PCA congregation, the article nowhere been featured on the campus of Covenant coverage in USA Today, he laments that the reporter identified their denominational affiliation. Theological Seminary in St. Louis. did not cover a significant aspect of religious life in Franklin, that of on-going racial reconciliation. He referred to the late Bill Lane, a professor at Western INSIDE THIS ISSUE Kentucky University who had been the first person PCA pastor featured in USA Today 1 to ask contemporary Christian musician Michael Card to write songs. While at Western Kentucky, New political group forms in PCA 2 Dr. Lane preached at a black Baptist church. Scotty AC votes to investigate apparent violation of service mark 2 Smith explained that when Bill Lane retired to Theological debate goes high-tech 4 Franklin, Tennessee, he realized that Franklin has Complaints lodged regarding overtures 5 had a reputation of racial discrimination. As a result, Westminster Presbytery will stay 6 he started meeting with local black pastors on a Tazewell Church joins RPCUS 7 regular basis. His efforts resulted in the founding of The Empty Hands Fellowship, a weekly breakfast PCA Foundation comes under scrutiny 8 gathering of 60 or 70 whites and blacks and now Proposal calls for replacement of SJC 9 some Hispanics. Pastor Smith stated: The theme GPTS Spring Theology Conference 10 is, How is the gospel confronting our prejudice? How PCA minister takes group into closed country 14 can we be a reconciling force in this country? That Maryland church still grieving 15 was the direction that I tried to send Jill and her photographer. Covenant College womens basketball team enjoys best season ever 16 Jill Lawrence and the photojournalist had spent An open letter to a brother 17 one and a half weeks last spring in Franklin, and Church plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina 18 then came back for about a week in the summer. News from the Presbyteries 19 She interviewed him by telephone after the terrorist Tennessee pastor bears lonely witness against Sunday race 21 attacks on September 11th. In Scotty Smiths eyes, Mike Milton installed as pastor of First Church, Chattanooga 23 the USA Today employees were very respectful 2 P&R News ² January-March 2002 Denominational Administrators and Pastors Spearhead New Political Organization A couple of denominational Presbyterian Church, Lecanto, Florida (1481 to support and employ the gifts of women group is seen not only in its proposals to administrators along with pastors from members), Pinewood Presbyterian Church, for lay and staff ministries in accord with amend the Constitution, but also in the mostly large churches are the leaders of a Middleburg, Florida (1077 members), New Scripture; and Having a missional careful way in which it is attempting to new organization engaged in ecclesiastical Life Presbyterian Church, Glenside, (cooperative) and humble relationship with shepherd the accompanying overtures politics. Calling itself PCA Pastoral Pennsylvania (1041 members), Intown the wider church. None of these terms is through the presbyteries and to passage at Leadership (PCAPL), the new group has Community Church, Atlanta, Georgia (967 particularly defined. General Assembly. The PCAPL website helped orchestrate passage of overtures in members), Redeemer Presbyterian Church, The PCAPL organization, which has counsels potential recruits to coordinate numerous presbyteries that could New York, New York (745 members), characterized its approach as pastoral, has their efforts at the presbytery level, advises profoundly affect the shape and direction Covenant Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, positioned itself to advocate passage of two when overtures have to be received by of the Presbyterian Church in America Missouri (639 members), and Christ Church, amendments to the PCAs Book of Church General Assembly, and issues cautions, (PCA). Jacksonville, Florida (494 members). Order. The amendment to BCO 21-4 would such as: Please do not allow the wording Chief contact for PCAPL is Dr. Bryan Of the 17 men, at least four have specify good faith theological in the proposed change to 21-4 to be Chapell, President of Covenant Theological significant ties to Redeemer Presbyterian in subscription to the doctrinal standards of amended in such a way that the word Seminary, the national seminary of the PCA. New York City. Dr. Timothy Keller is the the denomination. The term good faith doctrine is eliminated from the opening Another member of the 17-man Steering Senior Pastor at Redeemer; the Rev. Terry subscription is being used in opposition sentence or its placement in the second Committee is Dr. Paul Kooistra, Coordinator Gyger, formerly Coordinator of the to an undefined system subscription paragraph. for the denominational Mission to the World denominational Mission to North America position and a strict subscription Further counsel is slated to be offered Committee. Committee, is Executive Pastor; the Rev. position. at the groups first open meeting, set for The other 15 men on the Steering Scott Sherman, presently Senior Pastor at The amendment to BCO 34-1 would April 10th at Intown Community Church in Committee serve as pastors in 14 churches. Intown Community Church, was on staff at change the number of presbyteries Atlanta. Among the items on the docket Included in that number are the Senior Redeemer; and the Rev.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SO GREAT a SALVATION 50 Days of Prayer for The
    SO GREAT A SALVATION 50 Days of Prayer for the PCA May 2 – June 20 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6 Devotional text by the pastoral staff of Christ Covenant Church, Matthews NC Copyright 2013 Pastors, Christ Covenant Church All Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are from the English Standard Version; Copyright by Crossway Books, a Division of Good News Publishers, 2001. Published by Christian Education and Publications Prepared by Gabe Sylvia and Vicki Simpson Copies are allowed exclusively for use during the 50 Days of Prayer, May 2 – June 20, 2013. After that date, use only with permission from Michael F. Ross; [email protected]. –– DEDICATION –– These 50 Days of Prayer devotions are dedicated to the men and women, the gospel witnesses, who patiently and lovingly led each of us to Jesus Christ: Mike Ross……….Wiley Patterson, Jimmy Latimer Bernie Lawrence…Ben Hooks, Rich St. Denis Bruce Creswell…..Eddie Jenkins, David Rusterholtz Mike Miller………Jim Craft Kris Decker……….Duane Denton Gabe Sylvia………Kris Zehm, Kim Floyd Sylvia I thank my God in all my remembrance of you; always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes Thirty-Third General Assembly Presbyterian
    MINUTES of the THIRTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA Part I DIRECTORY OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES Part II JOURNAL Part III APPENDICES Part IV CORRECTIONS TO PREVIOUS MINUTES Part V INDEX June 14-17, 2005 Chattanooga, Tennessee The Minutes of the General Assembly are published by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and distributed by the Committee on Christian Education and Publications. Order from: Committee on Christian Education and Publications PCA Bookstore 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 102A Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043-8143 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 1-800-283-1357 Web: www.cepbookstore.com TIME AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Tuesday, June 20 through Friday, June 23, 2006 Atlanta, Georgia FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES: June 12-15, 2007 Memphis, Tennessee June 2008 To Be Decided 33rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTIONS SENT DOWN TO PRESBYTERIES: Proposed Amendments to BCO: BCO 24-1 see 33-51, III, 6, p. 200 BCO 15-4 see 33-48, III, 8, p. 186 BCO 40-5 see 33-48, III, 8, p. 186 Copyright 2005© Office of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America All rights reserved. Minutes of the Thirty-Third General Assembly Published by the Presbyterian Church in America Lawrenceville, Georgia 2005 MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA PART I DIRECTORY 3 I. Officers of the General Assembly 3 II. Ministries of the General Assembly 4 III. Permanent Committees 5 IV. Agencies 8 V. Special Committees 11 VI. Standing Judicial Commission 12 VII.
    [Show full text]
  • The West End Herald
    Corner of River and Rhett The West End Herald Vol. CXXIX, Edition 25 RECEPTION FOR EZEKIEL DEAN FAMILY & PAT SHUFORD PAID JUNE 20, 2021 The Second Presbyterian Church U. S. Postage Greenville, SC Greenville, Nonprofit Org. Nonprofit Permit No. 559 Permit Corner of River and Rhett Streets Greenville, South Carolina June 27, 2021 2537 - A GUIDE FOR PRAYER 48th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America June 28-July 2, 2021, St. Louis, MO • Pray that the Commissioners will have an ear only to the Word of Christ, as delivered in the Scriptures, as the rule for settling all sub- stantial matters before the General Assembly (GA); that they will exer- cise prudence and good sense in all matters merely circumstantial; and 105 River Street 105 River that they will have the wisdom to so distinguish among the matters before the GA. Return Service Requested Service Return • Pray also that the Commissioners will engage in debate with a sense of fair play, integrity and charity, and that they will be so moved by the Greenville, South Carolina 29601 South Carolina Greenville, Spirit of God, as to put aside selfishness, pride or party spirit, in order The Second Presbyterian Church to glorify Christ in His Church and edify His people; pray that in times of work, worship & fellowship, the bonds of love & unity among our Elders would be strengthened; pray that Pastors who come in discour- agement would be heartened & encouraged to be faithful in their la- bor. • Pray for the Moderator (and his assistants); the Stated Clerk; the Par- liamentarians; and the office staff.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Louis School Refuses to Release Audio Tapes of Woman's Chapel
    P&R News ² March 1999 Recording the Presbyterian & Story of the Presbyterian Reformed News Church in America $2.75 per issue/$15.00 per year Volume 7 Number 2 Published by Presbyterian International News Service, Inc., Coeburn, Virginia March - April 2001 Covenant Seminary Shrouds Itself in Mystery St. Louis School Refuses to Release Audio Tapes of Woman’s Chapel Messages by Mark Rooze and Fridays throughout the fall and spring terms from Tapes of Dr. Langberg’s chapel appearances were 10:00-10:40 AM for a time of worship. Attendance at chapel marketed both separately and as part of a six-tape set In an apparent cover-up that adds fuel to the fire in is voluntary yet strongly encouraged. Chapel is the one including both sessions in classes and her speeches at the women preaching debate, Covenant Seminary consistent place and time in the seminary schedule to an evening event. Originally intending to purchase only administration officials have refused to make available, worship our sovereign gracious God, build Christian the chapel tapes, this reporter found the topics covered to both PCA pastors and to the press, materials which community as we seek His face together, and continually in other sessions to be of personal interest, and so placed may indicate that Covenant Seminary is now allowing an order for the entire conference set on April 10th. women to preach in its chapel services. He was promised that the order would be filled The allegations center on the visit of Dr. Diane immediately. Langberg to Covenant Seminary during a “Family On April 18th, as the tapes had not yet arrived, the Nurture/Counseling Conference” at Covenant Seminary Covenant Seminary media office was again contacted.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 2 Timothy 9 2 Timothy 4:9-22 August 25, 2013 the Rev. Dr. Robert S
    1 2 Timothy 9 2 Timothy 4:9-22 August 25, 2013 The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Rayburn Tonight we conclude this series of sermons on Paul’s letters to his younger colleague Timothy; there were twenty-three in all. Next Lord’s Day evening we begin with one of the few remaining books of the Bible that I have never preached through: the Prophesy of Zechariah. I’m already greatly enjoying and profiting from the study of that book and I’m confident you will as well. As we said last time, vv. 9-22 are something of a postscript to this second letter to Timothy, the last of his New Testament letters. The argument of the letter was concluded in the previous few verses and what remains amounts to personal remarks. Those remarks, however, are illuminating and important and interesting in a variety of ways. This too is the Word of God and profitable for us; it likewise roots our faith in real history and the life of human beings, such life as we have experienced it ourselves. So let’s consider these final verses and what they have to tell us about Paul’s life and our own. Text Comment v.9 The great apostle to the Gentiles, titan that he was, remained a human being, with hopes and longings such as fill the heart of any human being: for companionship, for encouragement, and so on. v.10 Titus had by this time concluded his assignment in Crete, where he was when Paul wrote the letter to him that bears his name, and was now at work establishing the church on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea opposite the eastern coast of Italy.
    [Show full text]
  • 81St General Assembly
    MINUTES of the EIGHTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY Meeting at Kuyper College Grand Rapids, Michigan June 4–9, 2014 and YEARBOOK of THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Published by THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 607 N. Easton Road, Building E Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090-2539 USA FOREWORD The three sections of this volume are the following: MINUTES – the journal of the daily sessions of the Assembly. Although the Minutes do not contain the documents that appear in the second section (Appendix), they do contain the recommendations made in those documents; those recommendations appear in the Minutes at the point where they were considered. For ease of reference and cross-reference, the Minutes are divided into articles, denoted by the symbol §. In the Index that symbol, in boldface type, indicates reference to articles in the Minutes; page numbers refer to the Appendix and the Yearbook. APPENDIX – the documents submitted to the Assembly by presbyteries, committees of the Church, and other bodies, for the Assembly’s consideration. With the exception of overtures, communications, and complaints, the several documents appear in the Appendix in the order in which they are normally presented to the Assembly. All references to documents in the Appendix are by page number, in both the Minutes and the Index. YEARBOOK – general information about the denomination. References to items in this section are by page number. ABBREVIATIONS used in this volume for the Standards of the Church BCO The Book of Church Order FG Form of Government BD Book of Discipline SR Standing Rules WCF Westminster Confession of Faith WLC Westminster Larger Catechism WSC Westminster Shorter Catechism The Clerk welcomes suggestions for the improvement of these annual volumes.
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes Fortieth General Assembly Presbyterian
    MINUTES of the FORTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA Part I DIRECTORY OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES Part II JOURNAL Part III APPENDICES Part IV CORRECTIONS TO PREVIOUS MINUTES Part V REFERENCES AND INDEX June 19-21, 2012 Louisville, Kentucky The Minutes of the General Assembly are published by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and distributed by the Committee on Christian Education and Publications. 40th GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTIONS SENT DOWN TO PRESBYTERIES: Proposed Amendments to BCO: BCO 19-2.e, f; 20-3; 24-2; 25-4; 42-4; 43-2; 43-3; 58-5 THE NEXT MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Tuesday, June 18, through Friday, June 21, 2013 Greenville, South Carolina If your Presbytery would like to learn more about hosting a General Assembly, contact the PCA Stated Clerk’s office at 678-825-1000. Order from: Committee on Christian Education and Publications PCA Bookstore 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 102A Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043-8143 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 1-800-283-1357 Web: www.cepbookstore.com Copyright 2012© Office of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America All rights reserved. Minutes of the Fortieth General Assembly Published by the Presbyterian Church in America Lawrenceville, Georgia 2012 MINUTES OF THE FORTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA PART I DIRECTORY I. Officers of the General Assembly .........................................5 II. Ministries of the General Assembly......................................6 III. Permanent
    [Show full text]
  • Tennessee Valley Declines to Investigate Or Instruct Cedar
    P&R News ² March 1999 Recording the Presbyterian & Story of the Presbyterian Church in America Reformed News $2.75 per issue/$15.00 per year Volume 6 Number 1 Published by Presbyterian International News Service, Inc., Lawrenceville, Georgia January-February 2000 Tennessee Valley Declines To Investigate or Instruct Cedar Springs Church Regarding Female Preaching Presbytery Approves Unordained Persons Speaking in Public Worship At its Winter Stated Meeting, held that the church had scheduled a woman to be he concluded, she is not preaching because Church is only ministerial and declarative, and January 8, 2000, in Sweetwater, Tennessee, the plenary speaker at its missions conference she is not presenting authoritative teaching. therefore whoever proclaims the Word of God Tennessee Valley Presbytery (TVP) of the in 2001. By way of illustration, he added that just in the church is by that very preaching Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) At its November 1999 stated meeting, because it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, exercising authority over all who hear, declined to institute a judicial investigation of Western Carolina sent yet another letter to and quacks like a duck, doesnt mean its a including the Session, which is not lawful for Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee Valley. After noting the action duck. During his attempted defense of the women to do. Two resolutions were Tennessee, or to instruct the Session and taken by Cedar Springs, the communique notion that a woman who fills the pulpit is not proposed in the overture: 1. The Tennessee Pastor that they must cease from the practice asked TVP to intervene and to require the preaching, Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Actions of the 41 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America
    Actions of the 41st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America L. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk PCA 41st General Assembly in Greenville, South Carolina The 41st General Assembly of the PCA met in Greenville, South Carolina, June 17-20, 2013 hosted by Calvary Presbytery. There were 319 Ruling Elders and 1,008 Teaching Elders from 705 churches as registered commissioners. The General Assembly “constitutes the bond of union, peace and correspondence among all its congregations and courts” (Book of Church Order 14-1). It is primarily a meeting to conduct and review the work of the denomination. The Assembly, however, is more than just a business meeting. It is an annual church family reunion, an occasion for corporate worship, an opportunity for fellowship, networking, information and training through seminars, renewal of friendships, and learning about ministry resources from exhibitors. Preachers for the three worship services were Dr. Michael Ross, retiring Moderator; Rev. Brian Habig, pastor of Downtown Presbyterian Church, Greenville; and Dr. David Sinclair, pastor of Clemson Presbyterian Church. Major seminars offered this year were: “Commending and Defending the Total Truthfulness of Scripture,” led by Dr. Ligon Duncan, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS, and Dr. Al Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and “Working Together in the PCA to Address Our Cultural Moment,” led by Dr. Ligon Duncan and Dr. Tim Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York. RE Bruce Terrell, Moderator The tradition in the PCA is to elect a Ruling Elder or Teaching Elder as Moderator in alternating years. This year Ruling Elder, Bruce Terrell, Executive Director at Redeemer PC of New York was elected.
    [Show full text]
  • F.J. Rudy and Associates
    New Release Catalog 2015 January – June “(Q1\/PQSEQY Kregel IE1 PUBLISHING BMH <E{>< @@£% C:s'a::2r;2§§S ..- -. , , . .. - - | r | a - . -- llII|" .|...... eChristianBooks“? PROFESSIONAL YOUTH 3, ,_ §=.¥\¢APE|\!"?. _,= F'°“°“ 4 \g¢f9u%MGADu.L.1, °“'L°RE“’s -’ F. J. RUDY A N D A 5 5 D c | A T E5 ./QQMQODY PUBLISHERS R u o Y A N 0 A s s o c | A I ES The 5 Love Languages for Men Tools for Making a Good Relationship Great JANUARY 2015 alling in love is easy. Keeping the sizzle in your marriage? That’s more like grilling the perfect steak—it takes time, attention, and some secret spices. Mastering your wife’s heart doesn’t have to be complicated, but it will take a little effort. Good intentions alone will not get the job done. Gary Chapman gears this edition of his #1 New York Times multi-million best seller to your needs, challenges, and interests as a husband. What really fills your wife’s love tank? (It may not be what you think.) How can you let her know what you’re thinking and feeling? What can you do to make sex more meaningful and pleasurable for you both? This book offers a straightforward approach that will equip you for relational success. Discover the secret that has already transformed millions of relationships worldwide. As you learn this simple, yet profound, concept for communicating love, you’ll be more confident and courageous in the ways that matter most. Really! “When you express your love for your wife using her primary love language, it’s like hitting the sweet spot on a baseball bat or golf club.
    [Show full text]
  • The Regulative Principle of Worship in American Presbyterianism of All Of
    Kobe Theological Hall Special Lecture - Spring 2015 “RPW, Historically Considered” Frank J. Smith, Ph.D., D.D. President, Tyndale International University, Los Angeles, California Part-Time Instructor, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, Georgia Minister, Atlanta Presbyterian Fellowship (RPCNA), Atlanta, Georgia The Regulative Principle of Worship in American Presbyterianism1 Of all of the doctrines maintained historically by the Calvinistic branch of Christendom, perhaps none has been subject to as much controversy within that tradition as the regulative principle of worship. Over the past two or three decades, there have been increasing numbers of books, pamphlets, and articles on the subject of worship within the Reformed community. Even before the recent plethora of material, ecclesiastical struggles spawned concern over the nature of worship. However, not all of the writings from purportedly Reformed men have held to this sine qua non of Reformed worship, viz., the regulative principle. Before we take an historical overview of how the regulative principle of worship (sometimes abbreviated “RPW”) has fared over the past couple of generations within the Reformed world, we need to understand what is meant by the principle itself. I. The Regulative Principle The term “regulative principle of worship” does not appear in the creeds and confessions of the Reformation and Post-Reformation era. However, this term, which may not have been used until the twentieth century, sums up the teaching of the Reformed church. The principle is quite simple: whatever is commanded by God for worship is required, and whatever is not commanded is forbidden. This principle therefore goes contrary to the view of worship embraced by Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism, viz., that whatever is not forbidden in worship is allowed.
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes Thirty-Sixth General Assembly Presbyterian
    MINUTES of the THIRTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA Part I DIRECTORY OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES Part II JOURNAL Part III APPENDICES Part IV CORRECTIONS TO PREVIOUS MINUTES Part V INDEX June 10-12, 2008 Dallas, Texas The Minutes of the General Assembly are published by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and distributed by the Committee on Christian Education and Publications. 36th GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTIONS SENT DOWN TO PRESBYTERIES: Proposed Amendment to BCO: BCO 57-5, see 36-47, III, 4, pp. 189-90 THE NEXT MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Tuesday, June 16, through Friday, June 19, 2009 Orlando, Florida FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES: June 29-July 2, 2010 Nashville, TN June 7-10, 2011 Virginia Beach, VA June 19-22, 2012 Louisville, KY Order from: Committee on Christian Education and Publications PCA Bookstore 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 102A Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043-8143 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 1-800-283-1357 Web: www.cepbookstore.com Copyright 2008© Office of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America All rights reserved. Minutes of the Thirty-Sixth General Assembly Published by the Presbyterian Church in America Lawrenceville, Georgia 2008 PART I DIRECTORY OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES 2008-2009 I. OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Moderator TE Paul D. Kooistra 1600 North Brown Road Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8141 Phone: 678-823-0004 Fax: 678-823-0027 E-mail: [email protected] Stated Clerk TE L. Roy Taylor Jr. 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105 Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8143 Phone: 678-825-1000 Fax: 678-825-1001 E-mail: [email protected] 3 MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY II.
    [Show full text]