The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) held its 40th General Assembly from June 9-14 in Louisville, Kentucky. One of the most significant issues brought before the Assembly was regarding the PCA’s relationship as a member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).
In 2011, the Central Carolina Presbytery sent an overture to the 39th General Assembly requesting that the PCA withdraw from its affiliation with the NAE at the soonest possible date. The measure was largely a response to many of the political proclamations that the NAE has made over the last several years, including those regarding the environment and immigration policy.
The Presbytery was concerned that the organization was overstepping the church’s bounds to speak on public policy issues when the Bible does not directly address them. It is important to note that the NAE was originally formed in the 1940’s partly as a response to the National Council of Churches and its predecessor, which were politically outspoken and discomfiting to many traditionalists preferring focus on direct Gospel issues.
As submitted, the Central Carolina overture included those, and a number of other concerns:
Whereas…Chapter 31 of the Westminster Confession of Faith states that “Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.”
Whereas our sister denomination the [Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America] has already withdrawn from the NAE in 2009 citing “President Leith Anderson’s participation in the meeting between Christians and Muslims where the document, ‘Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to “A Common Word Between Us and You”’ was approved and signed.” and noting that “The document is clearly based on an unbiblical premise. It falsely assumes that Christianity and Islam approach the same God, but in different ways.”
Whereas the Presbyterian Church in America, as such, has no need of the principle benefits of membership, as set forth by the NAE, to wit: (1) “Use of the NAE member logo, which gives you the credibility of a national organization” (2) “Public affirmation of the NAE Statement of Faith, the gold standard of evangelical belief in America since 1942” (3) “A recognized voice in Washington championing evangelical concerns and providing a source of information on critical issues facing our nation.”
The commissioners of the 39th General Assembly in 2011 were reluctant to break off relations with an organization with whom they had maintained ties for more than 30 years, despite the fact that a denomination with whom they have close theological and ecumenical ties, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, had left the NAE just two years earlier. The commissioners voted down the overture and instead submitted the issue to the Interchurch Relations Committee for a year of study.
Before this year’s Assembly, the 40th, the Committee returned a report and recommendation to the Presbyteries that supported maintaining the PCA’s status as a member of the NAE. It listed a number of reasons, most of which had to do with missions work and influencing government policy. Here is part of its text:
Through its participation in the NAE the PCA has contacts with other evangelical Christian denominations, organizations, individuals, and ministries, shares in the mercy ministries of the World Relief Commission, participates in world evangelization, and has a greater voice and influence in civic engagement through the NAE Office of Governmental Affairs in Washington D.C.
The PCA is part of the NAE because it is consistent with our doctrine of the Church, it enables us to have a wider ministry, and it enables us to have a broader, more effective influence.
The NAE is not a denomination, a Synod or Council; it is an association of evangelical denominations, local churches, institutions, organizations, ministries, and individuals.
It is interesting to note that that Interchurch Relations Committee came to the opposite conclusion that the Central Carolina Presbytery did with regard to the church’s influence in politics and public policy. The IRC took a strict reading of the text in Chapter 31 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and concluded that since the NAE itself is not a “denomination, synod, or council,” its advocacy in Washington is acceptable. Those who support the overture, on the other hand, read it as a broader principle. They concluded that since the NAE effectively speaks on behalf of the PCA, it is as if the Presbyterian Church in America is taking action in matters of public policy beyond the realm allowed for in the Confession.
In the end, the Assembly decided to remain a part of the NAE, but instructed the IRC to report to the presbyteries on all major actions in which the organization engages.
This decision was made just a week before Marvin Olasky of WORLD Magazine broke a story regarding the NAE receiving funding from the pro-choice Hewlett Foundation through The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, which promotes contraceptive use by the unmarried.
If this story had run just a week earlier, the Assembly’s decision may have been different. In light of these recent revelations, the question may come up again next year.
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