The faithful service of the ruling elder is most valuable. Paul says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Tim 5:17). One of the most important things Paul . . . Continue reading →
Church Order
Making Elder Visits Good News Instead Of Bad News
The truth is that elder visits can too often be like a home visit from a dentist. We all dread the dentist because we know that he is a bearer of bad news, not good news. Continue reading →
Chad Vegas, Chris Gordon, And R. Scott Clark: Why Are The Reformed So Weird?
We’re talking about practice; not a game, not a game, not a game. We’re talking about practice. Continue reading →
Audio: A Frank Discussion About Baptism And Reformed Church Membership
We’re still talking about practice; not a game, not a game, not a game. We’re talking about practice. Continue reading →
Oh No My Church Is Reforming! Chad Vegas, Chris Gordon, And R. Scott Clark On Reformation In 2025
We’re talking about practice; not a game, not a game, not a game. We’re talking about practice. Continue reading →
A Question About Redeemer’s Multi-Site Model
In response to an article in USA Today on multi-site churches, in which Redeemer Presbyterian (NYC) was featured, Tim Keller offered a brief clarification of Redeemer’s version of the multi-site model.1 As part of that explanation he articulated a premise that strikes . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast Live! Pragmatism In Church Planting
Dan Borvan, Brad Isbell, Scott McDermand, Chris Gordon, and Harrison Perkins join Dr Clark to discuss pragmatism and Reformed church planting. Continue reading →
Substance And Procedure: A Synopsis Of The OPC General Assembly 2024
Every year, the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church meets to consider the business of the church requiring the attention of the whole denomination, this summer meeting at Seattle Pacific University. This report summarizes some of the main conclusions from OPC . . . Continue reading →
For There The Blessing God Commands: ARP General Synod 2024
It is hard to imagine a more pleasant experience of fellowship with God’s people on earth than to set them in a temperate mountain environment, overlooking a lake, with morning dew rising into a mist, and the saints vigorously singing the Psalms . . . Continue reading →
Synod Escondido (2024): Fellowship, Cooperation, And Mission
The first thing that Synod Escondido (URCNA) did was to gather for prayer, the singing of the Psalms (principally), and devotions led by the Rev. Chris Gordon, pastor of Escondido United Reformed Church. Anyone who heard the singing of the Psalms—and especially . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: Term Eldership Versus Lifetime Eldership?
In this episode Dr Clark answers a question about the differences between term eldership and lifetime service as a ruling elder. Continue reading →
Waters: What Is Ordination?
Most Presbyterians have attended an ordination service, but many Presbyterians don’t fully understand what they are witnessing. What exactly is (not) happening when men are ordained to office in the church? What are the benefits and blessings of ordination to the church’s . . . Continue reading →
Evening Worship In The PCA: Did It Die Of Natural Causes, Neglect, or Euthanasia?
A startling new study and article by two young churchmen in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) suggests that around 12% of churches conduct evening worship services. Pastors from the founding generation have estimated that 50–75% of PCA churches had evening worship . . . Continue reading →
Synod Turns Back Neland Ave CRC Appeal
Synod 2023 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America rejected an appeal by the council of Neland Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich., of a Synod 2022 order that called for the congregation to rescind its decision to ordain a deacon . . . Continue reading →
“Do You Know Of A Good P&R Church Nearby?”
It happens often—a friend or listener sends a message with the question: “Do you know of a good confessional Presbyterian or Reformed church near X?” All too often, after searching online, consulting denominational websites, even asking other friends, the answer is no. . . . Continue reading →
A Word To The PCA: Fathers, Do Not Exasperate Your Brothers (1)
There is a kind of therapeutic psychology rampant among the elite in Western culture’s ivory towers and it has made its way into our seminaries and churches, beguiling some and maddening others. Continue reading →
Peace And Purity Provided By Authority: John Thomson’s Defense Of Presbyterian Church Polity (Part 7): Ministerial Authority
The Presbytery of New Brunswick’s Apology in 1739 addressed two proposals made to Synod the previous year. While these acts had limited itinerant preaching and required the examination of candidates for ministry by a committee of Synod, the Presbytery of New Brunswick disregarded these acts . . . Continue reading →
The Lapsed Now And Then: What The Decian Persecution Teaches Us About Recovering From Covid
The Roman soldier handled Perpetua roughly. There was no question who was in charge. He took her before the Captain to be questioned and then to the Procurator. The procedure was simple. He asked her one question three times: “Are you a . . . Continue reading →
From Baptist to Presbyterian: Reflections on Polity and Pastoral Ministry
In 2020, Dr. Clark interviewed me about my unconventional route to becoming a Presbyterian pastor and how I ended up receiving a call to the congregation I serve. It is strange to consider how much change can take place in only a . . . Continue reading →
Should Lay People Administer The Sacraments?
A correspondent wrote to ask whether Christian laity should administer the sacraments? This is an ancient question, though typically we face it in a different form. In the Reformation, Calvin dealt with this question because midwives would administer baptism to infants in . . . Continue reading →















