Dear Cornerstone Family,
In Presbyterian church government, there are historically three ruling bodies or courts. The Session governs the local church. The Presbytery governs churches in a region. The General Assembly governs the whole denomination.
Each summer, the Presbyterian Church in America gathers for General Assembly. Pastors, ruling elders, fraternal delegates, and guests from around the world come together to worship, fellowship, and perform the business of the church. This year’s General Assembly meets June 22-26 in Louisville, KY. Rev. Tony Giles, Rev. Drew Abercrombie, Rev. Sebastian Bjernegård, and I along with ruling elders Mr. Terry Cheney, Mr. Sean Kelley, and Mr. Jim Smith will attend as commissioners representing Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
Before attending my first GA in 2005 as a seminary student, I wondered, “What happens at General Assembly?” Maybe you’ve wondered the same thing. In short, GA serves several important purposes.
First, denominational committees and agencies—such as Mission to the World, Mission to North America, Covenant College, Covenant Theological Seminary, and Reformed University Fellowship—report on their work, present budgets, recommend personnel changes, and address other matters of business.
Second, GA provides ongoing training for pastors and elders through seminars on theological, historical, and practical topics, including church planting, revitalization, leadership, worship, preaching, missions, and more.
Third, GA is a time for worship and fellowship. Each day concludes with a worship service, and each mealtime provides opportunities for pastors and elders to spend time together formally and informally to be encouraged.
Finally, GA takes up a wide variety of matters of business related to the church. Various theological, cultural, ecclesiastical, and administrative issues affecting the PCA will be considered, debated, and resolved.
One important item of business at GA this year is the nomination of a new Stated Clerk. The Stated Clerk is the chief ecclesiastical officer in the PCA. He helps the PCA conduct its official business in an orderly and constitutional way. He keeps the records of the denomination, guides the work of the General Assembly, and helps make sure the PCA follows its own rules and procedures.
The nominee for this important position is my longtime friend, Rev. Fred Greco. I attended seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, with Fred over twenty years ago, and he is one of the pastors in my “band of brothers”––eight pastor friends committed to walking together in close pastoral fellowship, encouragement, and accountability.
I’m pleased that Fred and his wife, Deb, are worshipping with us today. Moreover, it’s an honor to have Fred open up God’s Word to us in worship from John 14:25-31. Please listen closely to the Word the Lord has laid on Fred’s heart to bring to us today.
Your servant,
