PCA General Assembly Votes to Limit Church Offices to Ordained Individuals

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) convened its 50th General Assembly in Memphis, Tennessee, to address several key issues related to gender, sexuality, and sexual abuse. Among the measures debated and voted on were overtures concerning the roles of women in ministry, the definition of church offices, and responses to sexual abuse within the denomination.

Commissioners, or voting delegates, approved an overture limiting the titles of pastor, elder, and deacon to ordained individuals. This decision was a response to some PCA churches naming women as deacons, which the denomination’s leadership deemed inconsistent with its teachings. The overture also clarified that only heterosexual men may hold church offices, aligning with the PCA’s existing stance in the Book of Church Order that church offices are “open to men only.”

During the debate, Missouri Pastor Charles Stover expressed concerns that the practice of attributing offices to unqualified candidates was misleading to women and mothers. He argued that such actions disturbed the peace and purity of the church. The overture, which passed overwhelmingly, now requires approval by two-thirds of the denomination’s presbyteries and ratification by a future General Assembly.

In addition to the overture on church offices, commissioners passed measures requiring male office-holders to adhere to PCA beliefs regarding sexuality in their convictions, character, and conduct. This came in response to discussions about the eligibility of same-sex celibate men to hold church office, which had been sparked by the Revoice conference launched in 2018.

Pastor Stephen Tipton of Alabama emphasized the need for resolution, stating that the overture would bring an end to ongoing debate and division within the denomination. He urged commissioners to support the measure as a sufficient solution to the controversy.

The General Assembly also rejected four overtures aimed at strengthening sexual abuse prevention and response within PCA churches. These proposals included changes to who could testify in church courts, requirements for background checks for clergy, and protocols for communication among PCA officials regarding abuse reports. The rejection of these measures has raised concerns about the denomination’s approach to safeguarding its members.

The decisions made at the General Assembly reflect ongoing tensions within the PCA regarding theological interpretation, pastoral practice, and the protection of vulnerable individuals. As the denomination moves forward, the implications of these votes will continue to shape its identity and mission.

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