Posted on 07/28/2025 8:53:01 PM PDT by Morgana
Saint Andrew’s Chapel, one of the largest congregations in the Presbyterian Church in America, held a congregational meeting yesterday to consider its affiliation with the PCA. Instead of voting to remain or withdraw, the congregation referred the matter to the session to evaluate the situation and return with a recommendation.
Prior to the congregational meeting, the elders of Saint Andrew’s Chapel provided the following statement to byFaith:
During May of 2025, the Session of Saint Andrew’s Chapel received over 180 letters from communicant members requesting a congregational meeting to consider withdrawing from the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). On May 13, 2025, per BCO 25-2, the Session decided to call for a congregational meeting on July 20, 2025.
According to BCO 25-11, a church may “withdraw from any court of this body at any time for reasons which seem to it sufficient, provided, however, the congregation is given at least thirty-days’ notice of any meeting where the congregation is to vote on a proposed withdrawal from the PCA.” Leading up to this member-initiated congregational meeting, two Q&A sessions were scheduled for members to hear from the Session and for the Session to listen to the members of Saint Andrew’s Chapel. We are trusting that Jesus Christ, as King and Head of the church, will continue to guide, lead, and protect His flock as we live each day coram Deo.
The church was started in 1997 as an independent congregation with R.C. Sproul serving as its founding minister. The congregation was received into the PCA in 2023. Since its founding, many of the church’s pastors have been members of Central Florida Presbytery. Even if a congregation chooses to leave the denomination, the membership of its pastors remains with the presbytery.
The PCA’s Book of Church Order states that the relationship between a local church and the PCA “is voluntary, based upon mutual love and confidence, and is in no sense to be maintained by the exercise of any force or coercion whatsoever” (25-11). Moreover, when the church votes to withdraw from the denomination, the church shall continue to “own and enjoy their own local properties, without any right of reversion whatsoever to any Presbytery, General Assembly or any other courts hereafter created, trustees or other officers of such courts” (25-9).
The session is scheduled to report before the congregation’s annual meeting in January 2026. In June, a Central Florida Presbytery judicial commission found Burk Parsons, the current senior pastor at St. Andrew’s Chapel, guilty on three charges and indefinitely suspended from his role as a PCA teaching elder. He is currently appealing the judgment.
Wasn’t the great Preachr and Theologian, R.C. Sproul, Founder of Ligonier Ministries, a teaching pastor at Saint Andrews Chapel?
I don’t know but I think he was.
The church was started in 1997 as an independent congregation with R.C. Sproul serving as its founding minister
The PCA has been traditionally a by the book denomination that has been very Biblically based since its founding. Does St. Andrew’s want to join the PCUSA and go loony tunes left?
According to Christianity Today - 40% of the people leaving mainline Protestant churches are leaving because of the Crazy Progressives in Church Leadership.
The leadership of the Presbyterians, Lutherans and Methodists are literally Driving people away from the Church.
“ According to Christianity Today - 40% of the people leaving mainline Protestant churches are leaving because of the Crazy Progressives in Church Leadership.
The leadership of the Presbyterians, Lutherans and Methodists are literally Driving people away from the Church”
It should be obvious to all that the progressive movement in Christianity has never been about anything but its slow destruction, aided and abetted by the weak minded and ignorant.
Why do they want to leave? And where is this Church? In Florida? These are some important details that are not included in this piece! It’s a wee bit “inside St. Andrews” if you know what I mean.
The second sentence says it all. Presbyterians are famous for being like our government and taking for ever to get stuff done. Second sentence says it all, The basically formed a committee to look into the matter. By the time the committee makes a decision it will be to late, and the majority of the members that want to leave will have left. I’m assuming the majority of the members want to leave because the PCA denomination has become to liberal.
I doubt that is the case. There are two newer options that are still “reformed theology” ……. the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church). And the ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Perhaps they are moving to one of these?
I thought PCA was the conservative group, and PCUSA was the liberal group. Do I have it backwards?
“””In June, a Central Florida Presbytery judicial commission found Burk Parsons, the current senior pastor at St. Andrew’s Chapel, guilty on three charges and indefinitely suspended from his role as a PCA teaching elder. He is currently appealing the judgment.”””
At the bottom of this article the above quote was stated.
It appears the removal of Burk Parsons is the reason for the discontent at St Andrews.
No mention in the article as to what Burk Parsons actions were that led to his dismissal.
In comparison between the two denominations, The PCA is conservative but is slowly becoming liberal. In my opinion almost all new denominations within a generation or two more often then not will become liberal, or will stray from their original beliefs. I maybe a heretic for saying this but I think God has predestine it to be that way, so that those that are his won't fall into the trap of making institutions into their idols, that are worshiped more then God himself. You will find a lot of nonelect making their institutions they love into idols they worship more then God.
I read that the reason is concernw over pastoral accountability, including the indefinite suspension of senior pastor Buck Parsons for “unbecoming pastoral conduct”( harsh treatment of congregants) and s lack of financial transparency
Here is the link to the Burk Parsons dismissal-—
https://www4.wng.org/JC_Report_to_CFP_TE_Parsons_Final.pdf
Enemy penetration...
On the Mount of Transfiguration the disciples eagerly wished to erect 'tabernacles' to commemorate the wondrous event... but Jesus wanted no home, no 'fox hole'. Jesus wished to move on to the next needed encounter.
Ultimately our fellowship with God through Christ requires a personal relationship. Scripture urges fellowship within the 'body', but the enemy uses shared faith to weaken and destroy the faith.
It has to be a personal relationship! Talk to Him; listen to Him!
Saint Andrew’s Chapel Reconsiders PCA Affiliation
My understanding is, it's got to do with Burk Parsons' troubles, and the PCA wanting the congregation to be open with the members about finances.
Here is the link to the Burk Parsons dismissal-—https://www4.wng.org/JC_Report_to_CFP_TE_Parsons_Final.pdf
Interesting. Thank you.
Long standing pattern, seeing as Parsons was admonished in 2019 for the same stuff.
(For them as are not familiar with the jargon, RE is ruling elder, TE is teaching elder (pastor).)
A golden nugget of truth.
The journey is personal, the congregation is meant to assist those in need.
Often it leads to dragging down as a collection.
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