Posted on 06/15/2015 1:00:20 PM PDT by Gamecock
This week (June 8-12, 2015), the highest courts of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) met concurrently in Flat Rock, North Carolina at the Bonclarken Conference Center. The RP and ARP courts are both called “synod” – distinct from the term “general assembly” used by most other Presbyterian denominations. A general assembly is historically seen as the highest court, with a synod being lesser. In seminary, I was taught that our denominations have chosen to keep synods, in part, as a reminder that the visible church is yet fractured due to sin. Until there is biblical union, a general assembly cannot truly be convened.
The essential difference between our two cousin denominations involves Christology. We understand Christ’s office as king slightly differently which is evidenced more visibly in areas such as the content and manner of song and music in worship. Our differences are such that merger or formal union was not the purpose of this concurrent meeting, though we do pray with Jesus that we might be one ecclesiastically.
This meeting served as something of a family reunion of churches that have been separated as they are since 1782. We have rich theological similarities, a shared history (evidenced by many shared surnames), and similar visions for ministry that tie us more closely than other denominations. Most of all, we have an organic union in Christ that transcends any organizational unity that might be forced. Jesus will one day unite his church perfectly, and we rejoice to have that shared future.
The two synods held their own meetings this week, and then we enjoyed times of worship and informal fellowship. Seminars through the week highlighted the ministries of each denomination and how we might labor together in this organic unity. Opportunities abound for us to work together in education, missions, conferences, and more. We are most grateful for the hospitality of the ARP this week which was no insignificant ministry.
Associate Reformed Presbyterian congregations are concentrated in the southeastern United States, and congregations were encouraged to invite RP pastors to preach in conjunction with synod travel. The First ARP of Lancaster, South Carolina graciously invited me to preach; it was a wonderful experience. Their pastor, Kyle Sims, has attended our meetings in past years as a fraternal delegate and has become a good friend. After picking me up at the airport, he and his sons took me to dinner for Carolina BBQ. “Ecumenical relations done right!” was the Facebook comment of a brother on a picture Kyle took of me with a pile of BBQ on my plate – and how right he is! Times of fellowship at the dining room table, in living rooms, over the road, at conferences, in prayer, and in worship build relationships and trust. They also become friendly forums to discuss differences and to sharpen our thinking.
Because of the way Jesus works, it was not surprising to find multiple people in the Lancaster congregation with mutual friends, some as far away as Africa. In the evening, we worshiped the Lord at the historic First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Kyle Sims introduced me to many brothers, mutual friends were discovered, and in a few short minutes opportunities to co-labor in theological training, missions, and other ministry possibilities developed organically. Most of all, I entered into new relationships with brothers and sisters that will extend through eternity in the presence of the Lamb.
The following day, our journey to Bonclarken took us past historic ARP church buildings and new church plant locations, and past general locations of RP churches that later moved to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. We also toured battlefields of the Revolutionary War in which our ancestors fought together. Descendants of the chiggers that plagued our forefathers on these sometimes-remote battlefields may or may not have found the ankles of everyone on the tour. Even shared suffering strengthens the ties that bind. Upon arriving at Bonclarken, I began meeting the men who shepherd the churches we passed on our way. Organic relationships grow exponentially through shared experience and familiarity, and so I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have preached in Lancaster and seen the Lord’s work in the area.
We then entered into praise to God together that opening night with a joint Psalm sing which set the tone for the week. Time would fail me to tell of the common ministry and personal connections that the Lord has revealed and deepened through the week. And we look forward to a closer relationship of love and shared service to the Lord that will carry into the future.
Behold how very good it is,
A pleasant thing to see;
When brothers join to live as one
In peace and unity.
Psalm 133:1
I find this encouraging.
A while back we worshiped at a United Reformed Church of North America Congregation and the pastor would, on occasion, give up his pulpit to an Orthodox Presbyterian minister who lived about an hour away. They have also recently reached out to a PCA congregation and those pastors are trading Sundays on occasion.
What are the major doctrinal differences in a nutshell (asking as a non-Presbyterian)?
And how do they relate to “everyday” Presbyterians? Again, I don’t know either and would interested in learning.
Now you’ve opened a can of worms that has no bottom, no matter the label on the can: Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, etc. There is a comedian that does a take on your question using the Baptist derivation where he keeps dividing doctrinal matters in ever finer gradations until one person in the sketch makes the “wrong” choice in doctrine and the comedian pronounces the other party “heathen, bound for the fiery pit!!!” Obviously, it’s funnier to hear it with the various places where people have divided on seemingly inane/arcane bits of religiosity but it’s taken quite seriously by those who live it.
We worshiped at a PCA church this past Sunday. It was nice to be a Presbyterian again. I have to preach at a UMC church next week(Annual conference so they get desperate).
One of our PCA pastors has preached at 2 area RPCNA churches and an OPC church on many occasions.
What do you consider to be an "everyday Presbyterian"?
I think this is a good move to link up with like-minded believers.
For my information, were either of these organizations formerly parts of other groups and broke away because of heresy in their previous associations?
The OPC split from the liberal Northern Presbyterian Church in the mid 1930s. The PCA split when the Northern and Southern churches merged in the early 1970's.
The merged church, PC(USA) is very liberal and dying on the vine. They are the ones ordaining homosexuals.
From a doctrinal perspective, conservative Presbyterians, all hold to the Westminister Confession. The OPC and PCA differ in the way they evolved over time, having spit from liberal bodies at different times and in different parts of the country.
The ARP allows women to serve as deacons, but not elders or teaching elders. The PCA and OPC don't. I don't know enough about the RPCNA to comment.
What does this mean to "everyday" Presbyterians? Members can move between the OPC and PCA, as well as the ARP with no problem. Pastors can as well.
I have been a member of the PCA, ARP as well as the United Reformed Church of North America (which is Dutch Reformed). The URCNA holds to some documents called the Three Forms of Unity and when I joined I could not distinguish between them and Presbyterian doctrine. I have actually been in several Presbyterian Churches that use Question One of the Heidelberg Catechism, a Reformed Church document, for responsive reading.
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?A. That I am not my own,1 but belong— body and soul, in life and in death—2 to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4 and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.5 He also watches over me in such a way6 that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven;7 in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.8 Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life9 and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.10
1 1 Cor. 6:19-20
2 Rom. 14:7-9
3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14
4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2
5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11
6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5
7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18
8 Rom. 8:28
9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
10 Rom. 8:1-17
Here is one article: Differences between the OPC and the PCA that may help.
PAR35 may be able to provide some insight as to the accuracy of the link, as well as my above blatherings.
I believe so.
The PCA and OPC met concurrently for a few years, but seem to have drifted apart since then. RPCNA is exclusively acapella Psalms, while there are ARP churches which are as well, and others seem to be trending that way, instruments and hymns are a major barrier for some of the larger congregations.
Both ARP and RPCNA are NAPARC members, as are the PCA and OPC, and the URCNA. (and several others not mentioned here) http://www.naparc.org/member-churches/
While there are stylistic and substantive differences within NAPARC, they are considered to be in full communion, with fairly easy movement between the denominations. The Presbyterian members subscribe to the Westminster Standards (Some more tightly than others). (The Reformed members subscribed to the Three Forms of Unity).
The PCA is the largest of the NAPARC denominations, the most aggressive in church planting and missions (although many of the smaller members ‘punch above their weight’) and probably has the most problems.
To get to specifics - It is my understanding that both the RPCNA and the ARP ordain women as Deacons. The biggest difference is probably what is seen as acceptable music in worship. Any attempt at full merger at this point would lead to a split.
Other Presbyterian denominations you may have heard of (there are several dozen at this point) are the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (subscribes to the Westminster standards, but has women ordained to all offices) Evangelical Covenant Order (laundry list of Confessions - anyone should be able to find something to agree with) liberal in all but one respect - they won’t ordain practicing homosexuals. and the PCUSA - pretty much anything goes at this point, no longer Presbyterian in governance.
Generally any NAPARC church should be safe as to doctrine (there are are few PCA congregations I’d be concerned about), a few EPC that I’d recommend if there wasn’t anything better within an hour or so drive, and ECO and PCUSA should be avoided at all costs.
I don’t know. I have very little knowledge of Presbyterianism in general.
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