One year ago when the Presbyterian Church in America delegates left Philadelphia, the unmistakable polarity within the church was upon the minds of all. Many braced themselves with the thought that the 1987 assembly would be crucial. How crucial it was remains to be seen, but one way of viewing it is from the perspective of two assemblies. One makes good press and would delight the growing “majority” view. The other grieves the majority because of the conflict, and grieves the conservative minority even more because of substance.
The assembly, for the world to see, sets forth some good numbers. The outgoing moderator reported the PCA to be statistically America’s fastest growing denomination. The commissioners voted to set a goal of more than doubling the number of congregations and members by the year 2000. The current numbers are 925 congregations and 160,000 members. The goal is 2000 congregations and 400,000 members. Such figures may well be as enviable to some outside the PCA as they are enticing to those within.
Financially the church is relatively healthy, though there continues to be difficulty in getting proportionate support for the various assembly committees and programs. Traditionally popular world missions continue to be the focus of PCA benevolences.
Two major personnel actions were MTW (Mission to the World) related. A leading ruling elder member of MTW throughout the PCA’s young history, Gerald Sovereign of Gulf Breeze, Florida, was elected moderator of the assembly. On more than one occasion he was addressed as “sovereign” moderator. When MTW reported to the assembly, a major action was the election of John E. Kyle as coordinator (CEO) of MTW. Kyle was the original MTW coordinator for three years, and he now returns to that post to replace outgoing coordinator Paul McKaughan.
The “other” assembly reflects serious and growing division within a young church. Those having departed mainline churches for a conservative, reformed denomination are, if not disappointed, considerably restrained in their joy and optimism. The conservative/liberal and reformed/non-reformed battles, while less drastic, are no less conscience-driven than in previous ecclesiastical affiliations.
The tone for a divisive assembly was set in the opening worship. The outgoing moderator’s “sermon” was an occasion for attacking the conservatives (or “thoroughly reformed” as they have been designated). Unity was the theme, but corresponding pleas for purity were muted. Judicial process was criticized as divisive, though Scripture and the PCA constitution see it as obligatory and loving. Perhaps symbolic of the latitudinarianism and independency of those unhappy with the Westminster standards was the practice of paedocommunion (child-communion) by at least one delegate’s family at this opening communion service.
Key debate focused on ongoing recommendation of a “blue ribbon” committee which would drastically change the current structure of the church courts and their relationships. The mood of the assembly was clearly seen in a decisive affirmative vote (it must yet be approved by two-thirds of the presbyteries —no easy task), but a very strong minority saw in this action a repudiation ofPresbyterianism. Over 125 felt so strongly that they signed a protest to this effect drafted by former Westminster Seminary president Edmund Clowney. Such a protest is not rare, but so many supporting it shows some strong division on something so basic as what is the essence of Presbyterianism.
The assembly continued its tendency to avoid taking a stand on various issues to which it commits time and money, originating from those within the church asking for the church’s stand as supported by Scripture. Rather than adopt or reject the recommendations of study committees, the assembly chose not to rock the boat, by merely receiving the reports “for information.” The issue of whether Roman baptism is valid and several important church/state issues received such treatment at this assembly. A strong anti-Masonic position has been sent to the churches for study, and the potentially divisive issue of paedocommunion was postponed for another year due to the “press of time.”
When an issue is not merely received for information, but decided, the mind of the church seems to be ever broadening. One such issue was forced to be settled because it was the subject of a judicial case. Three general assemblies had sustained a complaint against a presbytery for tolerating a divorce between the sacraments and the visible church. Finally a fourth judicial commission, while forced to admit the complaint was constitutionally and historically valid, recommended denying the complaint. The commission even spent several pages attacking the current constitution on judicial process. The assembly, preferring that membership in the Church of Jesus Christ not be a requirement for the receiving of the sacraments, adopted the commission’s recommendations, two unconstitutional aspects notwithstanding.
Many have commented on how surprisingly calm the assembly was in spite of potentially controversial issues. A lack of intemperate outbursts, however, is no evidence of unity. We sing lustily Psalm 133. As a church, however, we are unclear whether there will be unity, or on what terms we shall strive for unity. The haunting voice of the prophet seemed to echo through the assembly: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Carl W. Bogue is the pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in America at Akron, Ohio.