Comments for PCA Conversations

Comment on On Keeping a Holy Lent, part 1 by Ash Wednesday — DashHouse.com

Ash Wednesday — DashHouse.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:36:17 +0000

[...] has a good set of resources on Lent, as does Internet Monk. PCA Conversations has a good post. Reading Trevin Wax a few years ago helped encourage me to mark [...]

Comment on Friday Focus - Marin County, CA by Mrs. Karlen Kochar

Mrs. Karlen Kochar — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:59:13 +0000

Are you updated? My husband and I are travelling on aa 12,000 trip around the US. We try to find “good” churches as we go. Your analysis of Marin County (and the culture) is much appreciated. We are now praying for Marin COunty as we drive from Crescent City to Greenbrae. My husband is a Gideon. We have given out 69 New Testaments as we’ve travelled from Florida (since July and will try to focus on Marin County. I hope we can worship with you this SUnday, August 30, 2009.

Comment on Liturgy and Life, part 2 by peter milner

peter milner — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:43:23 +0000

It is nice to hear of a Presbyterian reflecting so gracefully on the Lord’s Supper. I know Calvin would love you for it.

I also am trying to develop a perspective on a theology of worship.

What is the point of worship?
Enterance into the worship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Why do we worship?
God made us for it..
What is worship?
Our life, but, Christ first of all.

Thoughts?

Comment on Reactions to Defeat of the Minority Report by Jedidiah Slaboda

Jedidiah Slaboda — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:32:44 +0000

I voted for the minority report because I didn’t see how it could do any harm. Why not study a question? Listening to the discussion on the floor was interesting. No one argued against a study committee on the Federal Vision because it might be thought of as binding by Presbyteries and sessions. In fact, some of the people who rejoiced over that committee’s report most have tried to argue that is somehow binding. If the original line in the overture from had been retained that asked for recommendations on revising our BCO Coffin’s argument couldn’t have been made.

All that said, I wasn’t discouraged that the minority report failed. I was trying to avoid entering into a mentality of embattlement. If I’m going to get upset or angry, hopefully it will be over something more significant than the erection of a study committee.

Comment on Request for Requests by Greg Wilson

Greg Wilson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:22:39 +0000

Church discipline and excommunication: The boundaries of grace and law when trying to protect the rest of the flock.

Comment on Reactions to Defeat of the Minority Report by Sam DeSocio

Sam DeSocio — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:01:11 +0000

I voted for the minority report, and one of our elders was one of the signers of the minority report. I’d like to hope that the PCA has enough grace that we can talk and say what are we doing? Is it acceptable? and if we need to change because we disagree with the Bible what needs to be done? Im friends with @Bobby so I understand line of thinking. I heard some men who were very worried and others who were very encouraged by the GA as a whole.

Comment on Reactions to Defeat of the Minority Report by Luke Smith

Luke Smith — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:09:59 +0000

I attended GA this year wearing a cynic’s hat. In the Duncan/Keller debate, I thought I knew what I was going to get, but was gladly mistaken. I never heard debate, but rather a gracious conversation between colleagues. It almost seemed by the end of the conversation that Ligon was agreeing with Keller and almost backing off his own position to some degree. Likewise, Keller did not refute most of what Ligon said. The two men stood mostly in agreement about Scripture and mostly in agreement about the role of women in servant ministries–a lot of head nodding. Thus, this cynic was greatly encouraged. Now the overture was defeated on the floor something like 52-48 (approximately) as opposed to last year by a greater margin. Some have said this is an indication that the PCA is becoming more divided. I actually am uplifted by the seemingly 50/50 “division” we have on this and other issues as well. Yes, this sentiment may seem a little strange, but the reason is that out of such “division” comes (and has come) more open, honest, and noble discussions about real issues in the church. And honestly, this kind of openness tends to clarify what the “real” issues are in the first place. This capped off by the other discussions I was hearing during the week and the worship service to kick everything off gave me some energy. Kudos to the PCA.

Comment on Reactions to Defeat of the Minority Report by Paul Bankson

Paul Bankson — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:44:19 +0000

I was not able to attend GA this year but was encouraged by the seminar by Ligon Duncan and Tim Keller that I downloaded as an mp3. Both men demonstrate a genuine charitable spirit and mutual respect with a commitment to the Scriptures. I highly recommend it to all. I am one who had no problem with a study committee but can see the positives coming from its defeat that Bobby Griffith mentions- i.e, the “de facto” law that may ensue. I had fears that this issue had real potential for division in the PCA but as Joel Belz put it in his summary, Duncan and Keller may have helped set the tone for the debate with their own discussion. I have more hope in the aftermath of this year’s GA than I expected.

Comment on Reactions to Defeat of the Minority Report by Bobby Griffith

Bobby Griffith — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:20:45 +0000

I was at GA and voted against the minority report, which was difficult because a lot of men I respect greatly helped craft it. The biggest reason for this is simpy this: with whatever “guidlines,” whether expressed or implied comes de facto “rules” for presbyteries and churches. In our Presbytery (Pittsburgh)there are a couple of churches which came from the RCES in the joining and receiving, which have commissioned deaconesses. If a pastoral letter suggested that practice not to be in good order, though it does not explicitely violate the BCO, there is a chance for real, practical problem.
That said, I had a lot of great conversations with guys who thought the opposite of me and we totally enjoyed explaining our positions as fellow laborers of the church who have a committment to see our kids love the PCA as much as we do (borrowing from Rev. Ban’s sermon).
I am sure we’ll see another overture next year and I will be eager to see how it plays out and to have a part in great discussion with hope that we can have differing opinions on how to procede with this issue while maintaining charity.

Comment on Request for Requests by David Parker

David Parker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:32:05 +0000

Right worship of the Triune God would come first for me…