Whereas, the duties of Christian citizenship are often disputed and prove perennially difficult for both elders and church members to discern; and

Whereas, confusion exists about the proper relation between church and state; and

Whereas, due to recent movements, publications, popular teachings, political strife, and societal stresses, the need for guidance concerning Christian citizenship and church-state relations has intensified; and

Whereas, the Westminster Standards, as adopted by the Presbyterian Church in America and the Preface to the Presbyterian Church in America’s Book of Church Order provide substantial, biblical guidance concerning Christian citizenship and the relationship of the church to the state; and

Whereas, an explication of principles may prove more helpful than a focus on persons or rapidly changing movements, and may be helpful to the church in decades to come,

Therefore, be it resolved that the 52nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America direct its moderator to appoint an unfunded ad interim committee to produce a pastoral letter or short paper applying the doctrine of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America to questions of Christian citizenship and church-state relations for the edification of the Church. The committee will be composed of four teaching elders and three ruling elders and will set its own procedures and timelines.

Read more»

Tennessee Valley Presbytery (PCA) | “OVERTURE 48 from the Tennessee Valley Presbytery “A Pastoral Letter on Christian Citizenship and Church-State Relations”” | Adopted by the Tennessee Valley Presbytery at its stated meeting, May 10, 2025
Attested by TE Ryan Frank Biese, stated clerk

RESOURCES

• Subscribe To The Heidelblog!
• Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play
• Browse the Heidelshop!
• The Heidelblog Resource Page
• Heidelmedia Resources
• The Ecumenical Creeds
• The Reformed Confessions
• The Heidelberg Catechism
• The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2025)
• Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008)
• Why I Am A Christian
• What Must A Christian Believe?
• Heidelblog Contributors
• Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to

Heidelberg Reformation Association
1637 E. Valley Parkway #391
Escondido CA 92027
USA
The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Post authored by:

• Heidelblog

  

  The Heidelblog has been in publication since 2007. It is devoted to recovering the Reformed confession and to helping others discover Reformed theology, piety, and practice.

  More by Heidelblog ›