Amending Chapter 25 of the PCA’s Book of Church Order

Contentions and Counter-Contentions in the Debate Over Amending Chapter 25 of the Presbyterian Church in America’s Book of Church Order

Abstract: This paper covers historical and contemporary issues concerning congregational property rights and Chapter 25 of the Presbyterian Church in America’s (PCA) Book of Church Order (BCO). Numerous articles have been written against the adoption of amendments to BCO Chapter 25, and the author collapsed the objections into 10 primary contentions. Counter-contentions are presented that dispute each claim. By examining source documents, committee reports, in thesi deliverances, general assembly audio recordings, general assembly actions, and the constitutional standards of the PCA, a range of data are presented that support the adoption of the amendment to BCO 25-11 currently being examined by the presbyteries under the “advice and consent” process.

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