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SBC vs PCA: Two Opposite Trajectories

Last month, both the Annual Southern Baptist Convention and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America took place. And the results of the two events are opposing. The Southern Baptist Convention represents a clear negative trajectory, while the Presbyterian Church in America has a much loftier trajectory.

At the Annual Southern Baptist Convention, the high water mark was the narrow defeat of Voddie Baucham to be president of the Pastors Conference. It would all go downhill from there. Conservatives in the convention would only comprise roughly 34% of the messengers, a figure that remained consistent on multiple votes. Bart Barber would be elected President, which I believe will move the SBC from a more liberal direction to a more pragmatist direction. In this theme, Saddleback Church was not disfellowshipped and Rick Warren got to bloviate about himself on the convention floor. Additionally, the convention moved left on abortion, thanks to efforts led by the ERLC.

In contrast the PCA had actual Christian victories. The denomination voted to leave the National Association of Evangelicals. The General Assembly also renewed its fight against the Revoice Movement by passing another Overture against side b theology.

Postgame Coverage

The postgame coverage by Tom Ascol leaves much to be desired for Christians still in the SBC. Tom Ascol discouraged churches from leaving the SBC. He also touted Bart Barber as a substantial improvement from Litton and Greear, claiming he once wanted Barber to be the denominations president. Tom Ascol cannot be characterized as having good messaging communicating the convention’s liberal drift, and he certainly made no mention that the forces that backed Bart Barber are the same forces that backed Litton, the previous year. Tom Ascol demonstrates a lack of self-awareness in his recap of the convention.

In contrast, PCA elders are much more energized. On the Conversations That Matter podcast, pastors Sean McGowan and Zach Garris both expressed their optimism in the convention. Sean McGowan would even go so far as to say “We’re not the SBC, brother.”

Actionable Items

Every meeting ought to end with actionable items. For the SBC, Christians need massive turnout improvement. The more expensive meeting location drove up costs this year, but even last year’s turnout was a far cry from where it needs to be. Capstone Report wrote on this issue:

If less than 15-percent of churches attended the SBC Annual Meeting in Nashville when Critical Race Theory (CRT) was not only a theological, but a national issue covered on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show, how can conservatives create more involvement?

The key deficiency is that so few pastors and pew-sitting Southern Baptists are informed. When informed, people are alarmed. Yet, many dwell in blissful ignorance thinking that everything is fine because they are fed the lies from Baptist Press, too many state conventions and other outlets.

Overcoming complacency is the key to turnout.

For the PCA, they need more turnout at the Presbyteries so that the Overtures combating side b theology reach the supermajority threshold. This is afar less daunting task than increasing turnout to the national meeting, of which unlike their SBC counterparts, awake Christians already hold a majority. A passionate speech at a presbytery meeting can go a long way as it did in this past PCAGA.

Conclusion

There is little question that the Southern Baptist Convention is dead, but there remains much hope for the Presbyterian Church in America.

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2 Responses

  1. We are members of Kevin DeYoung’s church. It is outstanding (and not just because of him). Very solid and biblical. He does a great job of leading it and not pulling any punches on abortion, “trans” stuff, etc.

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