PCA General Assembly 2006 is Comparatively Boring

I'm at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America this week and, in looking at the info from some other denominational meetings this year, ours seems a tad boring.

As I have read through the docket and my packet of info it looks like we are going to have some discussion on the Federal Vision and the New Perspective but I think the most that will come out of this is the formation of a study committee to study the matter and report back at a future General Assembly.  I am sure we'll get some speechifying from all sides on these matters but no real fireworks.

Right now we are hearing a report from our Strategic Planning committee, an ad-interim committee which has been meeting for several years seeking to answer the question:  "What are the signs of a healthy denomination and how can the PCA become more healthy?"  At this point we are hearing reports on changing the rules of assembly operation.  The committee believes that the General Assembly, which is our annual meeting of teaching and ruling elders, has the task of implementing the Great Commission through "equally essential committees."

I am not sure how this is going to go.  From what I can tell they are bringing some good suggestions but if I were to go into any detail about them it would put most of my readers to sleep.  We'll see how the voting goes.  For me, it seems like some of the best minds in our denomination have spent a good deal of time and study on this.  But we're also dealing mostly with internal procedure here, which is necessary - but if we are going to obey and fulfill the Great Commission we need a greater focus on engaging an unbelieving world, and we need our best minds to be focused on this.

So, as I said, our GA this year seems boring.  The Southern Baptists are standing against alcohol, and it seems like the PCUSA is looking more like the Episcopalians.  If anything exciting happens I'll try to let you know.

Comments

[Phil Walker]

Is it general assembly time for all the denominations or something? What gives with them doin' 'em all at once?

[pilgrim]

I've registered and am looking in on the video feeds available.
So far it's opening stuff.

There was some interesting discussion last year.

I'm sure something will come up along the way this year.

In nay case boring can be a good thing, if it means there's little or no disaccord.

[Steve McCoy]

Sorry to be so juvenile, but your permalink url is hilarious. LOL

[Catez]

All I can say is I"m glad it's "comparativey" boring! What a mess has gone on elsewhere...

[Catez]

I mean the PCUSA - by the way, some people don;t know the difference between PCA and PCUSA - which makes me wonder if non-Christians get the difference.

[dan mcgowan]

so, have you revived anyone yet?

[Lee Anne Millinger]

Thanks for the link to Mark Roberts very thoughtful series on PC(USA). I read it with great interest. My individual congregation tends to the conservative thanks to the pastors. The members themselves are quite mixed on this issue. And the presbytery is liberal. What will I do? Consider and pray. This is one issue that my husband and I see differently, and leaving the church as one over this issue would be especially difficult. For now, perhaps it is better for me to stay and work for the unity of the church and adherence to biblical teachings. The best approach for those outside the PC(USA) is to please pray for us.

[Mark D. Roberts]

So are you trying to make me feel envious? It's working . . . . I need more of that revival from the past post.

[greg]

can't be anymore boring than coral ridge presbyterian church in fort lauderdale fl.
will be for sale soon!