PCA Presbytery Asks General Assembly to Withdraw from NAE

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)’s Central Carolina Presbytery adopted an overture that asks the PCA to withdraw from the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), citing among other reasons the NAE’s meddling inappropriately in civil affairs by publically endorsing the idea of climate change, and testifying on Capitol Hill in support of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act.

The overture additionally cites NAE leadership’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, noting that the document is based on an unbiblical premise which falsely assumes that Christianity and Islam approach the same God, but in different ways.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), a longtime member of NAE, withdrew from NAE in 2009. —(Presbyterians-Week)

Youth Embracing Christ

In response to the letter submitted by Sam Stearns in the Feb. 2011 issue, I would like to commend the concentrated efforts of so many in the RPCNA to help this denomination grow, both spiritually and numerically. It is very exciting to see the prudent changes that have encouraged more expansion for the future of God’s work in this wing of Christ’s Church.

In my home congregation, I am very pleased to see so many young people who are faithfully serving the Lord wholeheartedly. I sense a very close connection in all the families, which has helped godliness to flourish for decades within our local body. The evidence of this comes in the form of godly young people who desire earnestly to model the excellent role models of their parents and grandparents. Far from “leaving the faith in droves,” our young people have embraced Christ and His covenant eagerly.

I am also quite encouraged by the new church plants within the Midwest Presbytery and in other presbyteries too. As the years have passed I have observed firsthand the important and vital role that new RP churches have played in helping to revitalize this denomination.

In addition, the continued growth of support to overseas mission works is equally positive. The successful work being done in East Asia is of particular interest to me. The established congregations in Japan, as well as the new work underway in East Asia, testify to the power of God at work through faithful, dedicated servants in many places.

Now is not the time to be negative about the future of the RPCNA. We should be thankful instead. After all, we are obligated to give God the praise for the great and mighty things He is doing in our midst.

—Harlan Urwiler (Shawnee, Kan., RPC)