Gender Wars

I noticed recently that another high profile urban PCA church plant (City Presbyterian Church, Denver, CO) left for the RCA following The City Church, San Francisco. The major issue in both situations was women in ministry. In the case of

City Church, San Francisco, they ended up ordaining a female pastor after joining the RCA and it will be interesting to see what City Presbyterian, Denver does after entering the RCA. But all this has got me thinking about the recent unpleasantness in the PCA over FV/NPP. In connection with this, some questions:

 

What causes churches to move to female pastoral ordination in a supposedly Reformed and conservative denomination like the PCA?

 

Why are churches leaving the PCA for the RCA (a Continental Reformed denomination) instead of joining the PCUSA (which is equally liberal but still “Presbyterian”) or the more moderate EPC?

 

Did the energy spent on hunting down non-existent FV deniers of Justification by Faith leave a gap in the line somewhere that has allowed in more liberal theological views on ordination (amongst other things)?

 

The irony of this situation is that many assumed that FVers were liberal when in reality they were some of the most conservative men in their denominations. Now, many of them are gone and those left are so exhausted with being labeled as “heretics” they have little desire to assist any defense that may be mounted by the Southern TR wing. This, in the face of true liberalism. Discuss.

Comments

[Peter Jones]

Garrett, I think your third point is dead on. I was a ruling elder in the PCA and was asked to leave because I was an "FV man." Many of the men in the PCA who are strong advocates of masculine leadership are FV men or are at least sympathetic with them, ie the Baylys. I think that the PCA spent five years (2002-2007) fighting a friend, while an enemy (feminism) continue to sneak in the back door. I hope the PCA thrives. I think we need good conservative denominations, but I wonder if there has been a lot of wasted energy with the whole FV issue. Also, I really enjoyed your paper on masculine leadership in the church over at your church's website.
Peter Jones,Pastor
Christ Church of Morgantown

[Garrett]

Hi Peter,

Nice to hear from you and I look forward to seeing you at Synod in Houston in October.

[RevK]

It's good to be home and to catch up on your blogging. The ARP Synod had one dramatic vote regarding the insertion of the phrase (…I can't recall the exact verbiage) "belief in the inerrancy of scripture," for ordination vows, and for other important offices such as college faculty. Most of the fire was related to changing these vows in just one meeting, rather than having it come to the floor through a presbytery -- it passed after counting a division of the house...

Also, change, “Why are churches LEAVING the PCA…”

Peace,