Reformed Catholicity and the PCA
When PCA Conversations began we asked the five speakers from last year’s Denominational Renewal conference to each contribute one post that related generally to their assigned topic from that conference. So far you’ve read Jeff White on Mission, Jeremy Jones on Theology, and heard Matt Brown on the topic of Ecclesiology. Today we present Greg Thompson on Ethos and Reformed Catholicity. In keeping with the aim of this website to foster real conversation in our denomination–-as much as is possible in a virtual medium, at least–-we will occasionally publish real conversations instead of text-based reflections. So welcome to the second PCA Conversations podcast. (We hope we’re getting better at this as we go!) Please continue the conversation in the comments, where Greg and others can answer questions.
*And please make note that you can now subscribe to our podcast on iTunes by searching their podcast section for “PCA Conversations”.
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Greg Thompson is the senior pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. He was formerly the RUF campus minister at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Posted: December 15th, 2008 under Catholicity, Denominational, Ethos, Mission, Mondays, Podcasts.
Comments
Comment from E.J. Nusbaum
Time January 4, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Greg:
I just got a chance to listen to your pod cast about Reformed Catholicity and the PCA. I think your remarks and insights are right on target! I also want you to know that I believe that there are many, quite possibly a great majority, of folks that do want to continue this discussion so that we can “make room” in this denomination. I believe I can also verify that your assessment that this is a cultural and not a generational issue is correct.
As you pointed out, our denominational history & culture does cause caution (and for good reason). But, we are called to be unified, not uniform, and there is a great deal of Kingdom work that we need to be doing together.
As I have engaged in this type of conversation in the past with others, there is usually agreement about what we would like to accomplish, but figuring out how to move forward is much more difficult. What are your thoughts on how we might be able to push this conversation forward?
In Him,
E. J. Nusbaum
RE, Village Seven Presbyterian Church
Colorado Springs, CO
Comment from Greg Thompson
Time January 14, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Hi E.J.
Thanks so much for your kind interaction. I’m especially encouraged by your sense that many of our greatest challenges are not fundamentally generational or theological but cultural in nature. If this insight is right, it has encouraging (if complicated) implications for the way forward.
As to the shape of that way forward, I have inclinations, but no firm road.
In addition to simply trying to embody this stuff on local soil, I have two instincts:
First, I want to see the formation of a network in which people are self-conscious about talking about these matters, about co-laboring toward constructive solutions, and about giving us a more helpful way of understanding ourselves. And although it was never intended to be a network–but a sort of public forum–this is part of what the denominational renewal initiative is about. The goal, of course, is to create a denominational culture that can do this. But that’s a ways off.
Secondly, I’d like to see some sort of collective forum in which folks from different networks might come together and labor through some of these things through. This will be a real challenge given our grass-roots orientation, but this seems necessary to me.
I’d love to hear some of your own thoughts on all of this, and I’m thankful to be laboring together in all of this.
Peace of the Savior to you. GT
Comment from W. Clinton Stockton
Time December 20, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I would love to see a good discussion on the Lord’s Table. I notice that in our PCA Book of Church Order concerning the table only the word wine is used. Yet many of our churches are using grape juice.
I am currious if and when the element was changed, and should it have been.
I am also currious about the use of unleavend verses leavend bread.
I have difficulty understanding why we have divided elements between churches and does this effect our catholicity, and even our mission in serving a means of grace?
Respectfully Submitted
W. Clinton Stockton, Pastor
Andrews Presbyterian PCA
Andrews, SC 29510