2021 General Assembly Report
The 2021 PCA General Assembly (GA) took place in St. Louis, MO, from June 29-July 1. Pastor Matt, Pastor Curt, and Ruling Elder Bruce Harrington all attended as official commissioners. What follows is the best summary of a thousand pages of reports and a few dozen “Overtures” (a request from a presbytery for the General Assembly to act).
Several significant decisions were made regarding the denomination’s position on same-sex attraction (SSA), in response to the 2018 Revoice conference and subsequent conversations.
The seven-member study committee on human sexuality produced an excellent report (https://pcaga.org/aicreport/). Tim Keller and Kevin DeYoung presented the report and noted how pleased they were to find even greater agreement on these issues than expected. Since the report has been out for a year, the Forestgate Session has reviewed it on 2 occasions, including a profitable discussion in the spring of 2021. We have been praying about how to best make use of its teaching. The Assembly voted to commend this report by more than 90%.
Two other matters related to human sexuality were considered, as well. The first was Overture 23, which sought to amend our Book of Church Order (BCO) by further defining “above reproach” (1 Tim 3) as it pertains to ordained officers. The Assembly then approved Overture 23 by approximately 78%, but the earliest it can officially take effect is after next year’s General Assembly, pending further steps of approval. If the change receives final approval, here’s what BCO 16-4 would say: “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 temptation, inclinations, and action are not qualified for ordained office.”
The second matter related to human sexuality (Overture 37) was another proposed BCO change that passed so far (see above about the final approval for BCO changes). It would amend BCO 21-4 and 24-1 regarding the examinations of those officers, Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Deacons, using similar but more detailed language.
In addition, a pastor in Missouri was examined and exonerated by his presbytery about his teaching related to SSA.[1] Three presbyteries asked the Standing Judicial Commission (aka, the SJC, something similar to a Supreme Court for of the PCA) to look into that situation further. The SJC is currently considering whether to do that; no news was given or expected regarding that situation at this year’s Assembly.
After all of those decisions and many more, I left General Assembly very encouraged. I think we are trying to stay committed to the Bible and our confessional standards (the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, and our BCO) as we engage an increasingly post-Christian culture.
On a personal note, General Assembly is a great time to see old friends and worship with 2500 people together in the same room. Amidst the busyness and the hard, nuanced discussions, I always have a great time. May God bless our denomination as we try to grow together.
If you have any further questions, please talk to one of our elders.
-Pastor Matt, on behalf of the Session of Forestgate
[1] The Missouri Presbytery 125 page report is linked.