Posts in June, 2008

Youth Group of Heritage PCA Stars in Autistic Teen’s Film at RYM Camp, Suttle Lake

At the recent Reformed Youth Movement Camp 2008 at Suttle Lake, Oregon, Pacific Northwest youth groups were joined by a youth group from Heritage PCA in Oklahoma City. The Youth Director, Nathan Carr, and his wife, Sarah, accompanied about 12 students. These teens noticed that one of the campers from Evergreen PCA in Beaverton, Paul, was autistic, walking around camp talking to himself, in his own little world. They reached out to him, engaging him in conversation to learn of his interest in making movies with his video camera. He told them that he one ready to shoot and they agreed to be his cast. Other campers joined in and soon Paul was directing over 20 teens. The campers wrote down their lines and took their cues from Paul. I have known Paul since his birth and have taken a special interest in him. There are few times in his life (limited to my observation) when I have seen him so happy and engaged. He was in his element. My estimation of the Oklahoma teens is high to say the least. Continue reading »

Published in: General Discussion | on June 21st, 2008 | 3 Comments »

Deaconesses Study Committee Request Denied at PCA 36th General Assembly

Overture 9 from Philadelphia Presbytery requested the 36th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America to create a committee to study the “Scriptural teaching bearing on women’s eligibility for election and ordination to the office of deacon.” Overture 15 from Western Canada makes the same request. Overture 17 from Rocky Mountain Presbytery asks that if a study committee is erected that its mandate also include providing parameters for the role of women in the church. The Bills and Overture Committee after 5.5 hours of discussion recommended that the Assembly deny these requests. A minority report was formed in the committee and signed by 26 committee members including Dr. Bryan Chapell, President of Covenant Seminary, who represented the minority on the floor of the Assembly.
Dr. Philip Ryken, Pastor of 10th Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (successor of Dr. James Boice) with his Session and congregation, are among those who initiated the conversation in the Philadelphia Presbytery resulting in Overture 9. Floor debate produced mostly divided votes and exposed the fear of the Assembly, and perhaps the entire denomination, of a slippery slope. The PCA’s history of departing from the PCUSA to form a new national church 36 years ago over several issues including the ordination of women may have been more influential in squelching the request than a careful argument arising from the biblical text. Continue reading »

Published in: General Discussion | on June 12th, 2008 | 7 Comments »

The Incarnation of the Son of God

The Incarnation of the Son of God
Four Talks by Nathan E. Lewis
Reformed Youth Movement Camp
Suttle Lake, Oregon
June 16-20, 2008

Table of Contents
Talk One: The History of the Incarnation
Talk Two: The Science of the Incarnation
Talk Three: The Gospel of the Incarnation
Talk Four: The Theology of the Incarnation
Continue reading »

Published in: Gospel | on June 5th, 2008 | No Comments »