The BCO Says Assistants Not Deaconesses

Churches should reconsider the practice of congregational nomination and election for those who assist the Diaconate. When the selection process mirrors or closely resembles the election of deacons, it creates unnecessary confusion. It blurs the distinction between ordained officers and those serving . . . Continue reading →

Ecclesial Shenanigans = Antisocial Behavior

With simple visuals and authentic Appalachian-American verbiage, the Little Bubby Child social media accounts1 paint a loving and humorous picture of modern-day hillbillies as they interact with broader American culture. It’s not all fun and games—the dysfunction and breakdown are on display, but the wisdom . . . Continue reading →

Honesty Is The Best Policy

I don’t like writing about this, but I like ecclesial lawlessness even less. And I don’t seek this stuff—it is thrust upon me. Is there any reason unordained persons should lay hands on ruling elders being ordained in a PCA church? Is . . . Continue reading →

The Biblical Middle Between Hierarchy and Anarchy

Concepts of representation and visibility often come up in social and political discussions about equity, inclusion, fairness, or justice. These concepts can be wrongly or unwisely imported into the church, a spiritual body with her own ethics, processes, standards, and constitution. Yet there is a pressing . . . Continue reading →

God Has Ordained Men, Means, and Method

The wonderful Preface to the Presbyterian Church in America’s Book of Church Order is an overlooked masterpiece of piety and practice—an especially helpful resource: Christ, as King, has given to His Church officers, oracles and ordinances; and especially has He ordained therein His system of doctrine, government, . . . Continue reading →