Culture and even the church, has been influenced (propagandized) through television, music, films, and public education by claiming that homosexuality is not sin and should be accepted. It’s now just another legitimate choice. Not only is it possible, but it is entirely likely, that candidates for church office may not even consider their views to be contrary to our Standards. The notion that homosexuality is to be considered sinful is no longer an issue, thus the wording of O29 would be satisfied nicely. Thus, O15, with its clarifying wording, is needed to ensure that candidates for church office must examine their character based on Scripture and not common cultural definitions.

In a recent article (https://www.semperref.org/articles/why-i-am-voting-against-overture-15), Pastor Jim Weidenaar gave his reasons for voting against Overture 15 on the grounds that it “is too general and undefined to offer constructive guidance here. Beyond this, the addition of Overture 15’s language [“Men who describe themselves as homosexual, even those who describe themselves as homosexual and claim to practice celibacy by refraining from homosexual conduct, are disqualified from holding office in the Presbyterian Church in America.”] to the Presbyterian Church in America Book of Church Order (BCO) would be destructive by wrongfully depriving the church of godly and qualified shepherds, by creating an atmosphere which stifles rather than guides biblical repentance and fellowship among those who experience this category of sinful temptation, and by encouraging the church’s ordained elders to model a heretical understanding of the gospel in which the spiritually mature have moved beyond the need to confess sin.”
He begins by asking four questions about another overture, specifically, Overture 29, since it deals with the same topic of qualifications for church office. He asks, “What does Overture 15 add to Overture 29 that makes it a necessary addition to the BCO?” His four questions, which are actually objections, are:

Is it the literal use of the term homosexual in his description of himself? 
Is it the fact that the candidate tells anyone about this aspect of his sin/temptation/sanctification experience? 
Is it to single out this sin (or, that someone has this sort of temptation experience as opposed to any other)?
Is it about ontology?

In his first objection, Pastor Weidenaar claims that Overture 29 (O29) covers what is required in the character of an elder. According to him, all Overture 15 (O15) adds is the word homosexual and a few other phrases. But his objection rests upon a like-minded culture shared by the church and the culture at large. That may have been generally true 40 years ago. But over all these years, there has been a shift in how homosexuality is defined and accepted. Culture and even the church, has been influenced (propagandized) through television, music, films, and public education by claiming that homosexuality is not sin and should be accepted. It’s now just another legitimate choice. Not only is it possible, but it is entirely likely, that candidates for church office may not even consider their views to be contrary to our Standards. The notion that homosexuality is to be considered sinful is no longer an issue, thus the wording of O29 would be satisfied nicely. Thus, O15, with its clarifying wording, is needed to ensure that candidates for church office must examine their character based on Scripture and not common cultural definitions.
In his second objection, Pastor Weidenaar claims that O15 is designed to silence individuals from confessing their specific sins. He claims that Paul’s example of calling himself the chief sinner is scriptural proof that we must do the same. Thus, with this understanding, not only is O15 wrong but it is heretical. My sense is that  there is some exegetical sleight of hand in using this argument. Paul’s intent is not to mention his specific sins but to express his sinful nature, much like how expressed it here: “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” (I Tim. 1:15, NASB).
One cannot prove the specific from the general. I did find Pastor Weidenaar’s summary conclusion concerning this point troubling. He states, “And by encouraging the church’s ordained elders to model a heretical understanding of the gospel in which the spiritually mature have moved beyond the need to confess sin.” Does this mean that those who support O15 are heretics? Is this a veiled charge that serves as a warning?
In the third objection, he asks whether O15 intent is singling out one sin as opposed to other sins. The simple answer is, Yes, it is. I take great comfort in the scriptural wisdom of the Westminster Divines. Consider these two questions from the Larger Catechism:
Q. 150. Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?A. All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.Q. 151. What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?A. Sins receive their aggravations, (Reasons 1, 2, and 4 omitted here.)…3. From the nature and quality of the offense: if it be against the express letter of the law, break many commandments, contain in it many sins: if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions, scandalize others, and admit of no reparation: if against means, mercies, judgments, light of nature, conviction of conscience, public or private admonition, censures of the church, civil punishments; and our prayers, purposes, promises, vows, covenants, and engagements to God or men: if done deliberately, wilfully, presumptuously, impudently, boastingly, maliciously, frequently, obstinately, with delight, continuance, or relapsing after repentance.
Homosexuality is an offense against the light of nature. It violates the creation ordinance concerning marriage, family, and filling the earth. It violates the seventh commandment (see Westminster Larger Catechism, question 139).
So, yes, Pastor Weidenaar, it is good and proper for the church to single out this sin, regardless of how it is accepted and defined by secular culture.
Pastor Weidenarr reserves the bulk of his article in question four. He states, “We are all familiar with the rhetoric of our culture which closely ties the personal experience of gender and sexuality to the essence of personhood.” The statement “I am,” can be a mediocre statement denoting a fact, such as “I am tired.” That has no bearing on who I am as a person. But it can be a powerful statement that communicates inner truths.
Jesus used the phrase to describe himself and to communicate deep truths about his person and work.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35).
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12).
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58).
So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7).
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1).

When I say I am an America, I’m not just saying that I was born in a certain country in North America. I’m saying that I am proud to live in this country and that I love life, liberty, and justice for all. When I say that I’m Italian, I am not saying that I was born and raised in Italy. I understand that I am proud of my ancestry; that my grandfather, as a young teen, made his way to the U.S. and made a life for his family.
Given all the lack of clarity on ethical issues in our society, a person who says, “I am gay’” or “I am a gay-Christian,” is communicating that he has chosen a certain way of life. Like Lot’s wife, who looked back to Sodom, he’s communicating where his true heart and allegiance are. To pretend otherwise is sophistry.
In his summary Pastor Weidenarr states that O15 “would be destructive by wrongfully depriving the church of godly and qualified shepherds.” This is a pragmatic rationale and must be rejected. Jesus Christ is the head of his Church and he will see to its care. I am indebted to Pastor Weidenaar for this article in that it highlighted for me how the church is losing its sense of biblical grounding. And it shows me how important it is for me as an elder to instruct the members of the church in the foundational truths of Scripture. If we fail to provide and act on this ethical grounding we will lose the next generation.
O15 is needed at this point in the history of the Church to provide clarity on biblical sexual ethics.
Al Taglieri is a Ruling Elder in the Providence Presbyterian Church (PCA) in York, Penn.
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“So, the dones are leaving behind the church. But they do not necessarily leave their faith. In fact, it seems they have a strong desire to maintain their spiritual lives. The reason the Dones have dechurched themselves is not that they no longer believe in God. Rather, it is because they feel the church is no longer fostering an environment in which they can spiritually grow.”

I have a dim view of Mallory Challis’ glowing review of “Church Refugees” by Josh Packard and Ashleigh Hope. (https://baptistnews.com/article/these-christians-are-leaving-behind-the-church-but-not-their-faith/) There is a celebratory glee in reporting upon strong, faithful, and committed  Christians leaving the oppression of the church. The author reports at least four reasons justifying these heroic former members walking away in a fit of pique. These include hateful teachings about homosexuality that offend their friends or family members. Some are done with church because of a lack of support for a member’s pet projects. While others have walked away because of the time and resources dedicated to Sunday morning corporate worship that could be spent elsewhere. And finally, some have walked away because the church has too great an emphasis on doctrine, rather than on personal relationships.
The book and the article term these people as the “Done.” Many were a part of the 20 percent who did 80 percent of the work, but have become dissatisfied. That name, “Done,” is instructive. “I’m done!” connotes anger to such a degree that one is committed to cutting off any further contact or communication. Hardly a mature and faithful response to issues within the church. And yet, amazingly, the author of the review claims,
“So, the dones are leaving behind the church. But they do not necessarily leave their faith. In fact, it seems they have a strong desire to maintain their spiritual lives. The reason the Dones have dechurched themselves is not that they no longer believe in God. Rather, it is because they feel the church is no longer fostering an environment in which they can spiritually grow.”
But the church is the place for spiritual growth, as the Westminster Divines said:
25.3. Unto this catholic visible church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth, by his own presence and Spirit, according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto.
The Divines based this high view of the church on Scripture and not on feelings:

I Cor 12:27—Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.. (NASB-95).
Eph 4: 11—And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (NASB-93).

Is this to say that every one of the estimated 300,000 particularized congregation in America is a place of spiritual growth? Certainly not. The Scriptures speak of synagogues of Satan. The Scriptures speak of false teachers. The Scriptures speak of the Lord extinguishing the lampstand of faithless churches. But the Lord promises that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matt 16:18).
We may well ask the Dones what the Lord asked Elijah in I Kings 19:13b-14: “And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
But Elijah was not the only believer left. Just a guess, but I doubt all 300,000 churches are false churches. A true church is one that faithfully preaches and teaches the Word of God, that rightly administers the sacraments, and that practices church discipline. Every aspect of the church involves the Word of God. We see the Word preached. We see the Word on display in the sacraments. And we see the Word in action via church discipline. It seems more likely that the Dones are consumer-oriented connoisseurs of boutique Christianity than that all churches in America are false.
The mission of the church is to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matt 28: 19-20). And yet, if accurate, this quote, from Miss Challis, is quite disturbing:
“Outside the church, the dones often seek ways to foster spiritual growth. Small groups, Bible studies and other non-institutional activities that prioritize relationships and conversation over doctrine and business-like decisions provide spaces in which they can explore their personal relationships with God free of judgment and structure that is holding them back.”
The very offices (elders and deacons) that God has ordained to oversee, teach and care for His people are the very people accused of holding back the Dones from spiritual growth. No evidence is proffered. Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep. That is a high and noble calling.
One of scariest verse in the Bible is in Judges 21: 25, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” It seems history is repeating itself, even though we have a king. Our king, the Lord Jesus Christ, has ordained that His church be ruled administratively by elders. Our rule may be imperfectly executed, but it is the Scriptural pattern for the church.
As elders, we need to examine those imperfections. We need to redouble our efforts to ensure that the Word of God is preached well, that our doctrines are taught to the next generation, that the sacraments are rightly administered, and that discipline is practiced at from the local congregation to the General Assembly.
The sheep are scattering. As under shepherds, we must seek them out and call them back to the church.
Al Taglieri is a Ruling Elder in the Providence Presbyterian Church in York, Penn.
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I noticed you feel great compassion for women in crisis. While this is commendable, I am concerned by the lack of similar concern for babies. You mentioned a woman’s right to abortion eight times and a child’s right to life once. And that your prescription for limiting the number of abortions is based on government welfare programs for the mother. I did not see any provisions for making adoption easier and faster. Nor did I see any provisions for the church to provide more support through pregnancy centers.

Dear Adam,
I read your article “As a Christian, I Want to Reduce Abortion, Not Overturn Roe.” I noticed you used the phrase “As a Christian” three times to buttress your moral authority in this area as you pled for both abortion availability and yet fewer abortions. As a brother in Christ, I have concerns over unbalanced compassion, exegetical acumen, and a surrendering of God’s Law to modern culture.
I noticed you feel great compassion for women in crisis. While this is commendable, I am concerned by the lack of similar concern for babies. You mentioned a woman’s right to abortion eight times and a child’s right to life once. And that your prescription for limiting the number of abortions is based on government welfare programs for the mother. I did not see any provisions for making adoption easier and faster. Nor did I see any provisions for the church to provide more support through pregnancy centers. It’s almost as if supporting government welfare policies is a key component of a compassionate character.
God has made each person as a free, moral being. Joshua commanded the people to make a choice about who they would serve: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Jos 24:15, NASB-95).
Each of us makes choices, Adam. Unfortunately, those choices often end with tragedy for ourselves and others. The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 17 asks:
Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
You pointed out cases of rape and incest. These are terrible tragedies brought about by sin that cause great misery, but why is the most innocent victim, the child, the one who bears the brunt of the tragedy? Abortion advocates often claim that every child should be a wanted child. So, is it compassionate to impose the death penalty on a child because the mom chooses not to love? We are told a child should not suffer from poverty. But that’s how we choose to treat suffering animals; we put them out of their misery because they cannot understand what is happening. Not so human beings. And God’s Word affirms that babies, even in the womb, are people:
“Surely I was sinful at birth,sinful from the time my mother conceived me.6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;you taught me wisdom in that secret place.” (Psalm 51, NASB-95)
People can choose to learn from suffering and can choose to rise above it, given the opportunity, unless that opportunity is pre-empted by another’s choice. Consider the story of Lazarus; a poor beggar covered in sores. He had a terrible life, and no one looked at him with compassion. In the end, for all eternity, Lazarus found compassion and comfort (Luke 16: 19-31).
I commend you on the compassion you have toward women in crisis but I implore you to extend that same compassion to the babies in the womb.
As a brother in Christ, I was glad to see that you are meditating on Rom 12:12, and I hope you continue to mediate on this verse. By applying proper exegetical methods, you will discover that the word conformed in Greek is suschématizó and means to assume “a similar outward form (expression) by following the same pattern” (Strong’s). The word transform in the Greek is metamorphoó, which means “changing form in keeping with inner reality” (Strong’s). Paul is calling on each of not to copy the current godless culture, but to be transformed, truly, from the inside by God’s Word (properly interpreted). So, respectfully, I disagree with your conclusion that this is a call to be counter cultural. This is a call to be a genuine Christian, one who knows and lives by God’s law, regardless of the personal cost that might entail.
I found it ironic that you used Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees to make a point that by placing the health of babies in the womb in extreme jeopardy, i.e., death, we can avoid policies that place expecting mom’s health in jeopardy. A closer look at Luke 13:10-17 reveals that the Pharisees are hypocrites because they exult in manmade standards of righteousness that even they cannot keep. Has not support for abortion become the same litmus test for a righteous character in secular society?
As a brother in Christ, I plead with you to consider God’s law as opposed to man’s law. In Psalm 19, God tells us He has given us supernatural revelation:
“The law of the Lord is perfect,refreshing the soul.The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,making wise the simple.8 The precepts of the Lord are right,giving joy to the heart.The commands of the Lord are radiant,giving light to the eyes.” (NASB-95)
The more a society’s laws reflect God’s laws, the better, kinder, more compassionate that society is. I wonder if you ever researched how Greek and Roman cultures practiced their respective laws? There was a marked difference in culture as Christianity grew in influence and the moral authority of God’s Word was practiced. Here’s how Aristotle framed it:
“As to exposing or rearing the children born, let there be a law that no deformed child shall be reared;  but on the ground of number of children, if the regular customs hinder any of those born being exposed, there must be a limit fixed to the procreation of offspring, and if any people have a child as a result of intercourse in contravention of these regulations, abortion must be practiced on it (the child)” (Aristotle, Politics 7.1335b ).
Or Cicero: “Deformed infants shall be killed” (On the Laws, 3.8). Cicero considered an unwanted child to be deformed.
God gave Moses this commandment: “You shall not murder” (Ex 20:13, NASB). I’d rather live in a society that respects life, protects its most vulnerable members, and has laws that reflect those values.
Al Taglieri is a Ruling Elder in the Providence Presbyterian Church in York, Penn.
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I call on all members of the National Partnership to repent publicly of insults, besmirching the church, and obstructing the work of the church councils. I call on you to relinquish your committee memberships. I hope that some of you will. But for those who don’t, I plead that you find another denomination more to your liking, rather than tear the church apart through the exercise of discipline.

Like many within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the National Partnership email trove has saddened, angered, and grieved me. I have read many articles regarding the emails, and they do not paint a pretty picture. Are those articles slanted? Is the picture that they paint accurate? I found out for myself by writing Natural Language Processing code to analyze the emails. And I remain saddened, angered, and grieved. This article delineates some of the more troubling passages I discovered. I have tried to provide larger quotes to demonstrate that the quotes are not out of context. My purpose is not to rehash what has already been published, but to call the National Partnership to repentance.
I am saddened by the use of personal insults. Consider the following email texts:
“Jun 28, 2019, 11:39:13 AM
…No one can stop us from becoming this kind of denomination. The denomination we were at the end of worship last night. No one. We are the majority, and if we gather around the Gospel there will be nothing to stop it. If we keep preaching to the dry bones.”
“Mar 26, 2013, 3:24:51 PM
…Finally: my greatest concern about the negative blogging we’ve seen this last week is the degree to which men are willing to engage in one-way conversation. The other person is by necessity diminished in these conversations. To me this is not just an ethical code violated but a grievous dishonor. Loving our enemies/opponents has to involve representing their character and beliefs charitably. Inquiries about the NP by one of these bloggers or PERSON 1, PERSON 2 or PERSON 3 would not only have served the public trust but would have dignified me and you by giving us a chance to define ourselves. Let’s not fall into the same soup by failing to pray for our opponents and represent them truthfully in every forum.”
“Jun 27, 2019, 9:49:14 AM
(This is important. Frank wicks is the board recommendation. Wiley is a harsh antagonist of the seminary. Why would we want him on the permanent board. Let’s defeat this)”
Dry bones. A reference to Ezekiel 37. Am I dry bones, dead, without the life of the Spirit because I do not agree with the author’s vision for the PCA? How can that not be the obvious conclusion when Paul tells us in Ephesians 2 that outside of Christ, we are spiritually dead?
While I appreciate the author’s concern for ethics and his prayers, I am astounded that he would refer to his opponents within the PCA as enemies. In Phil 1: 17-19, Paul refers to enemies of the cross as people “whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”
I am saddened by the liberal use of harsh words to define those who do not agree with the NP.
“Feb 20, 2019, 12:52:42 PM
Are those who struggle with SSA not allowed in the fellowship of half-blind jackasses looking for the Glory of the Lord?”
Well, yes, they are allowed. They are just not allowed to be elders. We call upon all people everywhere to come to church, be a part of our fellowship, sit under the discipline of the Word of God, repent of their sin, and accept Jesus as Lord of their life. But once again, I am saddened by how easily a minister of the Gospel can dehumanize his co-workers in the Gospel.
I am saddened to an even greater degree by the insults to the church. There are many references to the PCA as unhealthy and ugly. No, you won’t find those words. But you see an earnest desire for the church to become healthy and beautiful, which implies it is currently not either of those things.
“Jan 30, 2019, 3:49:04 PM
My sense is that the next 3-5 years of assembly work will shape the next forty years of the PCA. If we are clear in advocating for greater health in the Presbyterian Church in America, we will all be part of a more beautiful, more orthodox denomination for Kingdom work around the world.”
“Jul 2, 2021, 8:34:46 AM (7 days ago)
…Perhaps the next way you’ll move things forward is on the floor of your presbyteries as you lead debate on overtures we passed. Or maybe it’s time for your presbytery to bring something to the Birmingham assembly that moves us in a healthier direction.”
“Jun 30, 2021, 9:39:46 AM (9 days ago)

Nominating Committee advice. Following the NC close of nominations we will send out a guide for those of you not always familiar with the candidates. In some cases we may not have a recommendation, but in others there may be a candidate whose experience and views would align more clearly with a healthy PCA. Thankfully in all those cases both men will be brothers in Christ and worthy of honor.”

“Jun 11, 2021, 6:33:46 AM
Many of you have heard about the letter drafted by PERSON 1and several other contributors. I was not one of the principal authors, but I am grateful to see it out in the world. I’d commend it to you as one way that we can help guide a healthier denomination.“
Was the church healthy when Elijah called out: 10 He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” (I Kings 19:10, NASB, 1995)
I think it was. God answered Elijah by saying: “18 Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (I Kings 19:18, NASB 95)
I am saddened when we substitute our judgment for God’s. I think we should hold the church in high regard as in “The Church’s One Foundation”
1 The church’s one foundationis Jesus Christ, our Lord;we are a new creationby water and the Word.From heav’n he came and taught uswhat perfect love can be;through life and death he sought us,and rose to set us free.
4 Yet we on earth have unionwith God, the Three in One,and mystic, sweet communionwith those whose rest is won.Oh, happy ones and holy!God, give us grace that we,like them, the meek and lowly,may live eternally.
I am angered at the secrecy. Almost every email until June 23, 2021, contains a privacy banner like:

“Confidential: this information is not to be shared without permission of the sender”
“The following communication is confidential and may not be shared without the permission of the sender”
“Please do not share without the permission of the author”
“This communication is private, it is not to be shared without permission from the sender”

There are 66 references to “confidential” or “confidentiality” within the emails. Consider the following email texts.
Jun 26, 2019, 8:16:07 AM
He loves us, and we serve him before we serve committees or churches, or nefarious and clandestine secret PCA societies.
While it is admirable that the National Partnership serves the Lord before all else, why are clandestine secret PCA societies listed in the list of subservient loyalties? Given that the subject of the verse is “we”, the National Partnership, this is extremely dangerous.
Mar 20, 2013, 7:40:14 AM
National Partnership: A New Group in the PCA

The Aquila Report has picked up on our existence, which is not a problem. It was never our intent to exist as a secret society. In fact, I would prefer for the information to be disseminated now rather than right before the Assembly so that suspicions the minority might have about our aims can be dealt with now, rather than provoking prejudices (a secret faction!) that could derail our business at the Assembly.”
“Jun 25, 2021, 11:00:18 PM
We’ve always been about privacy here. Not secrecy, privacy. And why should we have privacy? Let me tell you why. Just today slander from a white supremacist website was spread about me in a PCA Facebook group because I dared to set the record straight about some of the untruths being said about the PCA and homosexuality. And it’s not the first time it’s happened to me.”
Despite the protestation that this is privacy, not secrecy, this has all the hallmarks of a secret society:

A hidden membership role
References to NP Presbyteries
Secret voting guidelines sent to members only

Jun 17, 2021, 9:01:05 AM

“Attached is the initial advice concerning overtures to the 48th GA.”

Jun 25, 2019, 10:46:16 PM

“UPCOMING:
Tomorrow AM: Wednesday’s schedule, important votes, etc.
Tomorrow PM: Final overtures advice
Thursday AM: Thursday’s schedule, important votes, etc.
Thursday AM: Nominations advice

June 07, 2018,

This is the first draft of the 2018 GA overtures advice book

References to “our” members on committees
Deleted websites like: thenationalpartnership.com
A member only National Partnership Facebook page
There are just under 250 references to the following words:

Vote
Voted
Voter
Voters
Votes

The email trove reveals an elite, secret society of ministers within the PCA seeking to thwart the rule of Christ over His church. You bet I’m angry. Christ is the head of the church. He rules through the Holy Spirit, working in the hearts of His elders. How is this anything over than an attempt by a minority to circumvent the majority?
I am angered at the mocking of those who seriously try to abide by the Word of God. I Peter 2 begins with a sober warning.
“2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
A secret society that has an objective to force the acceptance of Revoice theology. Yes, I’m suspicious.
I’m angered at the arrogance. If Christ is the head of the church, and according to our theology, He is, then why do the members of the National Partnership assume He is not leading well.
“Jun 11, 2021, 6:33:46 AM
Many of you have heard about the letter drafted by Mike Khandjian and several other contributors. I was not one of the principal authors, but I am grateful to see it out in the world. I’d commend it to you as one way that we can help guide a healthier denomination.“
“Jul 2, 2021, 8:34:46 AM (7 days ago)
…Perhaps the next way you’ll move things forward is on the floor of your presbyteries as you lead debate on overtures we passed. Or maybe it’s time for your presbytery to bring something to the Birmingham assembly that moves us in a healthier direction.”
The flip side of these comments, as alluded to above, is that the PCA is unhealthy. That we do not listen to the Holy Spirit directing us in the courts of the church. These comments indicate that the National Partnership received a special revelation and authority.
I am angered by what appears to be a lack of integrity. A person with integrity is the same person in public and private. I thought the “Looking Forward Together” article was a thoughtful call for unity. I especially appreciated this passage.
“Be assured that our desire is not to vilify or attack those who disagree. When offered respectfully, we firmly believe that our internal challenges and those who disagree with us make us stronger. We all know that Satan, “the accuser of the brethren”(Revelation 12:10) would have no greater joy than for us to be divided as a denomination over matters that we should debate charitably and truthfully in order for iron to sharpen iron! We believe that sharpening of one another to labor together for Christ requires that we also be honest about some perspectives being advanced in recent months that we believe are not healthy for our church or for Christ’s mission.”
Then I saw the emails referring to non-National Partnership members of the PCA as opponents, enemies, dry bones, and jackasses. So which attitude is the real attitude of the National Partnership?
I am grieved by the coarse language in one email.
“Jun 22, 2021, 3:47:55 PM
When I started the HUE project, I very much expanded my world – praise the Lord, but also the flip side is WTF was I doing all this time.”
Paul, in Titus 2, says,
“6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” (NASB, 1995)
Would any elder in the PCA use this language on the floor of the GA Assembly or in a sermon? Are we not called to be transformed rather than conformed? I work with brilliant, hard-working, and dedicated men who only have one word for expressing emotion. I expect better from elders in the PCA. Even more disappointing was the lack of correcting emails or an apology email,
I grieve over the missional sentiments that discount the relational work performed by the good people of the PCA every day. The authors of the NP emails operate with the assumption that PCA is not healthy or beautiful and that we are not welcoming. The “Beautiful Orthodoxy” conferences, which are promoted in the emails, have this goal:
“The goal of [Beautiful Orthodoxy] is to bless the work of the Kingdom in the PCA. We believe it is time to promote a declaration that we don’t have to choose between biblical/doctrinal fidelity and gospel beauty (love for the poor, joy, warm and welcoming churches, passion for justice, ethnic diversity and appreciation, utilization of the gifts of women, the church as a hospital for sinners, etc.).” (https://www.beautifulorthodoxypca.com/)
God’s people have never made that choice. To the best of our ability, we have carried out both aspects of the great commission, teaching and disciplining. Although I do not believe that the church as a hospital for sinners is an orthodox view of the church. Proponents of the missional church argue that unbelievers do not come to church, so they never hear the Gospel. That the church must somehow become more acceptable to the current culture to be heard. And yet, we’ve seen this story played out before. It’s a story with a sad ending.
People suffering in the bondage of sin are in a state of misery, no matter the age or the culture. They come to Christ as the Holy Spirit turns their heart of stone into a heart of flesh. And He often uses His people to draw them to the church where they hear the Gospel message. And they hear the discipline of the Word. They begin the process of sanctification and the mortification of their sin. Let’s celebrate the work done by His people rather than bemoaning the church and trying to find work arounds.
And I grieve over a lack of repentance after the publications of the emails. As far as I’m aware, no one from the National Partnership has stood up and publicly repented of creating a secret society that seeks to short circuit the presbyterian process. I find this disheartening. As elders who preach a Gospel of repentance, shouldn’t we be the first to repent?
I am hopeful. Evidently, the Lord pricked a conscience of an NP member who released the emails.
I am hopeful. The last GA rejected the machinations of the NP.
I am hopeful. The PCA is a true church that has remained faithful to the great commission. Our churches continue to preach, teach, and make disciples.
I am hopeful that the PCA continues as a true church and will practice discipline despite the pain and turmoil. I hope it does not come to this, but it needs to happen if public repentance is not forthcoming.
So I call on all members of the National Partnership to repent publicly of insults, besmirching the church, and obstructing the work of the church councils. I call on you to relinquish your committee memberships. I hope that some of you will. But for those who don’t, I plead that you find another denomination more to your liking, rather than tear the church apart through the exercise of discipline.
I am hopeful. Jesus still rules His church. We may have to break fellowship with those who secretly obstruct the church government and espouse Revoice theology, but the church will continue. I hope and pray that it does not come to that.
Al Taglieri is a Ruling Elder in the Providence Presbyterian Church in York, Penn.

The closest you came to referencing Scripture is that we need to love our neighbor. But condemning Christians for not loving their neighbor because they refuse a vaccine is a rather tenuous application. In Lev 13:46 the man with an infection isolates himself from the camp by going outside the camp for at least 7 days. We don’t see a command for everyone else to glove up. But we see a principle that the one who has a contagious infection needs to isolate himself from the healthy and warn those who approach (Lev 13:45).

Dear David,I recently read your article, “It’s Time to Stop Rationalizing and Enabling Evangelical Vaccine Rejection”, I am concerned with the following statement castigating fellow Christians:
“But it is increasingly clear that many of the remaining holdouts need their hearts to change before their minds will change. It’s their moral framework that’s broken, and when that framework is broken, reason and virtue have difficulty penetrating a hardened heart.”
David, our moral framework is the Word of God. I appreciated your quote from Martin Luther. But as venerable as he is, his words are not the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. The closest you came to referencing Scripture is that we need to love our neighbor. But condemning Christians for not loving their neighbor because they refuse a vaccine is a rather tenuous application. In Lev 13:46 the man with an infection isolates himself from the camp by going outside the camp for at least 7 days. We don’t see a command for everyone else to glove up. But we see a principle that the one who has a contagious infection needs to isolate himself from the healthy and warn those who approach (Lev 13:45).
Moreover, David, we have the following commandment in our moral framework: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex 20:16). I think it’s time we stop assuming that men have the ability to read the hearts of millions of people we have never met. Your anecdotal evidence is simply that: a minor compilation of anecdotes. They are not evidence of millions of hard-hearted Christians living in disobedience to their calling in Christ. In Acts 1:24 we learn that only the Lord knows the hearts of men. And in Prov 21:2 we read, “Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.”
And speaking of weighing the heart, the Westminster Confession of Faith declares that “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in anything, contrary to His Word; or beside it, in matters of faith, or worship” (WCF 20.2). And the Westminster Divines based this statement on James 4:12 and Rom 14: 4. No person may bind another’s conscience, not even one with the best of intentions.
Many have tried to replace God’s Moral Law with a man-made morality. The Pharisees were one such group. The Monastics were another. Today we have the Red-Letter Christians and fundamentalist theologies that add and subtract from the Word of God. I would caution you against this course of action. God’s Word is perfect, restoring the soul.
Let us strive for peace and unity among the brethren, David. And let’s leave it to the Spirit of God to lead each Christian as they seek to follow their Lord faithfully.
Al Taglieri is a Ruling Elder (RE) in Providence Presbyterian Church (PCA) in York, Penn.