In mid-July 2026, the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) convicted and deposed Teaching Elder (TE) Rick Appleton following a full-day ecclesiastical trial. Appleton served as an associate pastor at Providence Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Robinson Township, Pennsylvania, alongside senior pastor TE Dr. Ray Heiple. The decision removes him from ordained office in the denomination. A formal written decision detailing the findings is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
Appleton had been at Providence since 2019 after prior service as a deacon, elder, and pastoral intern at Old Peachtree Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Georgia. He and his wife Kara-Mia have two daughters. The proceedings arose from charges brought by the presbytery concerning his public conduct and doctrinal teaching.
The indictment, formally titled “Pittsburgh Presbytery vs. TE Rick Appleton,” contained two primary charges.
Charge 1 alleged a violation of the PCA Book of Church Order (BCO) 21-5. This required that a minister “adorn the profession of the Gospel in his manner of life” and “walk with exemplary piety before the flock.” Prosecutors cited extensive social media posts spanning 2018–2026 that used sharp, often vulgar or inflammatory language against prominent evangelical figures including Russell Moore, David French, R. Scott Clark, Tim Keller, and others. Examples included descriptions of Moore as a “simpering little quisling,” references to “farts” being more edifying than certain opinions, and various posts employing crude terms or calling for deportation of specific individuals or groups. The list of bangers is as follows:
In his public postings on social media:
1. “Russell Moore is such a simpering little quisling. I hope that he doesn’t expect a reward for all his attention whoring, because I think that he has already received it in full.”
(Facebook post, March 7, 2018).2. “Apology: some time ago I called Russell Moore a simpering quisling. I wish to apologize to simpering quislings everywhere for comparing them to Russell Moore”
(Facebook post, January 17, 2022).3. “When I consider the fruit of R. Scott Clark’s labors, I see a lot of angry feminists and weak, lawless men. Is there some connection?” (Facebook post, January 18, 2022).
4. “Don’t laugh at Peter for fearing a slave girl when you’re simpering for thots online” (Facebook post, June 30, 2022).
5. “I admire Jael for pinning Ol’ Boy to the earth. But I also regret that saving Israel interrupted her housework” (Facebook post, July 1. 2022).
6. “Some may be wondering, “Why all the hurly burly concerning David French at the PCA GA?” I’m tempted to say that I’ve heard farts that were more edifying than David French’s opinions” (Facebook post, May 10, 2024).
7. “If you love your neighbor, you’ll let them eat your cats (Russell Moore, Probably).” (Facebook post, September 11, 2024).
8. “Anyone who votes for a muslim should be deported to a third world country” (Facebook post, November 4, 2025).
9. “Praying for David French to be miserable tomorrow” (Facebook post, November 5, 2024).
10. “Whatever difficulties you may be facing today, take heart and press on. And remember, it could be worse. You could be an evangelical for Harris” (Facebook post, February 5, 2025).
11. “What 2025 has taught us so far: don’t be fake and ghey” (Facebook post, February 21, 2025).
12. “‘There is too much faggotry in the seminaries’” – Francis” (Facebook post, April 23, 2025).
13. “America is a civilized nation with laws. We don’t like Mormons, but you can’t just shoot up their meetings like this is Africa or the Middle East.” (Facebook post, September 30, 2025).
14. “More than 80% of New York Women who voted, voted for a muslim communist (not counting the women of the other sex who voted for him)…. (Facebook post, November 6, 2025).
15. “Do not overlook this simple fact. Somalians built Somalia. If we import more Somalians, we will get more Somalia. If you think this is inconsequential, I suggest
you do us all a favor and move to Somalia.” (Facebook post, December 4, 2025).16. “I’d like to send Russell Moore to Afghanistan, but then we’d have to apologize to Afghanistan” (Facebook post, December 4, 2025).
17. TE Appleton responds to Kevin DeYoung’s question “Do you unequivocally renounce antisemitism, racism, and Nazism?” with the one-word answer “No” (Facebook post, December 5, 2025).
18. “Dear Great Britain, Faggot…” (Facebook post, December 2, 2025).
19. “Even though he’s part of a bygone era, I’m glad Carl Trueman still takes time to write fussy think-pieces for those of us of a weaker capacity. I have an idea for his next article, “Aimee-a Culpa: I’m Mortified That I Promoted Feminism.” (Facebook post, December 12, 2025).
20. “Is this the “Gospel Coalition?” (Facebook post, December 18, 2025, in reference to a picture of women in a conference room).
21. “If I could only deport 2 people, I’d deport Ben Shapiro twice.” (Facebook post, December 20, 2025).
22. “If ICE tells you to deport one person, deport two.” (Facebook post, December 23, 2025). TE Appleton is then asked, “This is like someone asking you to go with them 1
mile, right?” TE Appleton responds, “yes. Exactly!”23. “I can’t think of a single unique contribution of Tim Keller that has been a lasting benefit to the church” (Facebook post, January 4, 2026).
24. “‘Smite, stab, slay’ – Martin Luther” (Facebook post, January 19, 2026).
Additional specifications under this charge involved public associations, including posting material linked to Michael Spangler, attending a related RPCNA trial involving Samuel Ketcham in January 2026 (where he was identified as a fraternal delegate), and comments affirming that biblically regulated slavery could be a “positive good.” Presbytery materials also alleged that Appleton had been less than fully forthcoming with his own session about these associations and related views on kinism or race realism during earlier inquiries.
Charge 2 alleged a violation of the third commandment through misinterpreting, misapplying, and perverting God’s Word (Westminster Larger Catechism 113) specifically in teaching on the nature and calling of women. The indictment argued that Appleton taught an “ontological inferiority” of women relative to men in areas of authority, rank, resiliency against deception, strength, and suitability as rulers or teachers. Supporting material included Facebook posts, sermons on Ephesians 5 and Titus 2, and a 2020 “Ask the Pastor” video recorded with Heiple. Cited statements framed husbands as functioning in kingly, prophetic, and priestly roles over their wives in ways the prosecution contended went beyond biblical headship and mutual help into hierarchical excess. Other quotes addressed “shame attached to [a woman’s] sex because of being first in transgression,” sex-specific temptations toward control, and the value of a woman’s youth and beauty in marriage. The indictment contrasted these with confessional statements on the equal image of God in male and female, the mutual nature of marriage, and Christ as the sole Mediator.
Witnesses and documentary evidence, including letters from Providence’s Women’s Ministry Coordinator Lisa Boelcke, were presented in support of the charges. The first charge is secondary to the second charge which is the real reason Appleton was charged: he offended a feminist.
An admonishment to men wsa cited as an incorrect teaching on women.
Another admonishment for the well treatment of wives.
This is biblical hierarchy being treated as controversial. No generation prior to 1919 would have viewed this with suspicion.
This was completely taken out of context to use against Appleton.
Trial and Verdict
The trial took place over a full day in mid-July 2026. Elders present voted Appleton guilty on both counts. On the first charge, the reported tally was 41–0 with one abstention. Deposition followed as the censures were imposed. A full verdict has not been released.
Analysis
The Kellerites are leading the Presbyterian Church in America in a purge of righteous pastors. Zachary Garris was deposed earlier this year for mean tweets to a Black heretic. And now Appleton calling Russell Moore a whore 3 years before I did is getting charged for it 8 years later, as though there is no statute of limitations on based tweets.
The PCA Effeminacy Crisis continues.
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One Response
8. “Anyone who votes for a muslim should be deported to a third world country”
I completely agree