Recently, I met with a young man serving on the staff in another denomination. He wanted to know more about the PCA. From what he knew, he felt that he might be a better fit in the PCA than his present denomination. We talked about many things. I gave him some of the history, having been a part of the PCA from the beginning. We talked about the misunderstandings or misperceptions that some have voiced, such as the PCA was too narrow or too broad.

We went over some of the basic theological distinctives, including polity issues, that lead to the formation of the PCA. I wanted him to know not only of those beginnings and our strong commitment to the Scriptures and reformed theology, I also wanted him to know the PCA today. To assist me in that task, I turned to the booklet, Being Revived, Bringing Reformation, developed by the recent strategic planning effort in the PCA. I have used this on several occasions working with congregations assisting in their development of their strategic plan.

While the work of this denominational planning committee did not actually produce a strategic plan, it did develop a framework to clarify who we are and what we believe God would have us be and do as a denomination. As I mentioned in the “Welcome,” we plan to use some of the areas of concern produced from the Strategic Planning Committee with this and other future issues of Equip for Ministry.

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To answer my friend’s question, who and what is the PCA, I gave him this summary from Being Revived, Bringing Reformation. (This is available from CE&P bookstore).

The Strategic Planning Committee wrote:

“Out of its unwavering commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture and the reformed faith, and in obedience to the great commission, the PCA will pursue the following four strategic priorities to accomplish its vision:

1. Empower church health and growth for new and existing churches local and worldwide.
2. Develop leadership for the future.
3. Increase denominational understanding and effectiveness.
4. Engage the culture-timeless truth for our times.”

In attempting to describe or define a healthy church, the committee set forth five crucial principles:

1.      the preeminence of Christ

2.      the importance of the local church

3.      the importance of cooperative ministry

4.      the importance of the General Assembly in contributing to the health of the denomination

5.      the importance of the Committees and Agencies of the church in carrying out the work of the General Assembly

The Committee further identified areas which they believed to be strategic importance:

1.      The rising generation

2.      Trained leadership, especially among the officers

3.      Stewardship to support the whole work of the church

“The plan” identified the PCA with the following characteristics: Biblical inerrancy and authority, a reformed-covenantal theology, mutual accountability, and as Presbyterians connected to one another, cooperative ministry. They added to that list other attributes towards which we will strive as a denomination: worshipping churches, equipping and enabling churches, discipling churches, and reforming churches. Because our denominational identity, the Committee further stated: “The PCA, through the General Assembly, its Committees, Agencies, and Presbyteries, should guide, connect and support local churches and presbyteries so that they work together to fulfill our mission statement, which reads:

The mission of the Presbyterian Church in America is to glorify and enjoy God by equipping and enabling the churches of the PCA to work together to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations, so that people will mature as servants of the triune God, will worship God in spirit and truth, and will have a reforming impact on culture.

 They summarized the mission statement with this motto: “Being revived and bringing reformation.”

I explained to my friend that I believed this was a true reflection and commitment of the PCA at this time. This of course is an important time for such a church to stand together, firm in the faith, and not to be driven by cultural whims or theological oddities, but communicating God’s truth to this generation, walking by his Word and Holy Spirit and “thinking God’s thoughts after him” in our mission.