Anyone a PCA Presbyterian?!

[tigersnare]

I just want to say, I've been wandering since becomeing extremely frustrating at my current church. They seem to only use the bible to crutch their teachings and endless story telling, instead of teaching the bible. Worship is basically a rock concert complete with lights and lazor show.

I checked out a Lutheran Church, liked it, but not for me.


Went to a PCA Church in my town. Service was so much more conservative. A nice civil worship, songs who's lyrics were based on scripture, group prayer but with the condition of, "if you want to pray aloud, it must be loud enough for everyone to hear it". As opposed to all the distracting mumbling and "tongues" I was used to.

Then get this, the pastor taught the text! Praise God
It was awesome, I left church filling uplifted, yet not based on some emotional high and false joy. Why? because I heard about and learned about God through his word he has so graciously gave us as a means of grace.


Only one hang up, I'll need to be convienced of the pratice of "infant baptism"...shouldn't be hard as I don't necesarily not belive in it, but I want to see a pretty solid case for it as I have for election, calling, and justification. But please don't feel the need to do this for me, one of my Pastors is already on the case. I don't want the thread getting filled with that back and forth mess.

Pretty sure after what I've read so for about the split, (PCUSA and PCA) I'm definatly on the right side of the fence for me. I'm pretty black and white, or conservative when it comes to God's word. Probably why I couldn't be Catholic if I wanted to.

Any of you who are PCA Presbyterians, I'd like to know how you came to be where you are now.

 

[Bulldog]

There's a PCA church in my city. My family is probably going to go to it one day, so I'll see how its like. I hope its as good as what you described!

 

[seebs]

I can't remember which is which, but my mother-in-law was a member of one or the other of them for a LONG time. I think she still goes occasionally, but not so often anymore, I think because her health isn't as good as it used to be.

 

[RonaldusMaximus]

In its simplest form the case for infant baptism can be made like this. The children of the Old Covenant were considered covenant members and admitted to the covenant family through the sacrament of circumcision. God did not all of sudden remove kids as covenant members once Jesus was crucified. Can you imagine the uproar this would have caused by the believing Jews who argued over things such as food? Instead of God removing those who were once a part of the covenant family He does the opposite and adds more. The New Covenant administration becomes more inclusive instead of exclusive. Infants are baptized and treated as covenant members or you can treat them as pagans and tax collectors. The interesting thing is even those who deny infant baptism and covenant theology still treat their kids as covenant members. Interesting indeed.

 

[Gabriel]

Went to a PCA Church in my town. Service was so much more conservative. A nice civil worship, songs who's lyrics were based on scripture, group prayer but with the condition of, "if you want to pray aloud, it must be loud enough for everyone to hear it". As opposed to all the distracting mumbling and "tongues" I was used to.

We are very conservative in our worship. I must admit, though, that I sometimes find it a little stuffy. I grew up in Baptist churches and I am used to hearing and saying an occasional "Amen!" or "You got that right!" stuff like that. The toe tapping gospel type music was nice, too. Muttering while praying and tongues, I can do without.

Then get this, the pastor taught the text! Praise God

Our government is does not allow for the church to be run by the pastor. We have Ruling Elders who are a representative government elected by the body. We (Ruling Elders) have a vote on the Session which is where we discuss shepherding issues, policy and business issues, discipline, etc. We hold the Pastor (Teaching Elder) and each other accountable. The Pastor moderates the Session, but he has no vote. We hold the scripture as the final authority and abide by it to the best of our ability because of God's grace. [/quote]

It was awesome, I left church filling uplifted, yet not based on some emotional high and false joy. Why? because I heard about and learned about God through his word he has so graciously gave us as a means of grace.

Teaching is of utmost importance to the PCA. Sound theology and and understanding of the wretchedness and inability of man and the wonder of the gift given us through Christ's love and sacrifice is the basis for all our teaching, preaching and missions. I am pleased to hear that you were edified.
Do you remember the name of the church?

Only one hang up, I'll need to be convienced of the pratice of "infant baptism"...shouldn't be hard as I don't necesarily not belive in it, but I want to see a pretty solid case for it as I have for election, calling, and justification.

Actually, we don't require that you believe infant baptism or election to become a member. If you understand that Christ is the only qualifier that enables you to live rather than perish, you will be welcomed as a member.

But please don't feel the need to do this for me, one of my Pastors is already on the case. I don't want the thread getting filled with that back and forth mess.

Me either. If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me.

Pretty sure after what I've read so for about the split, (PCUSA and PCA) I'm definatly on the right side of the fence for me. I'm pretty black and white, or conservative when it comes to God's word. Probably why I couldn't be Catholic if I wanted to.

Rest assured, we are worlds apart. Again, I will elaborate if you desire, just PM me.

Any of you who are PCA Presbyterians, I'd like to know how you came to be where you are now.

For me it all started with God's sovereign choice to make me a clean and holy child of God before He even created this world. (Ephesians 1:4&5)

Although I had no knowledge of this and had no desire to seek Him, He sent a kindly Baptist children's pastor to my apartment complex in Pontiac, Michigan (I was in first grade) to round up as many as would go and bring us to Sunday School. As I sat week after week ignoring salvation and alter calls, my heart of stone deflected the God that sought me. Then, one Sunday, God replaced my heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Until that day, I was dead in my trespasses, unable to respond to His call. But, as Christ raised Lazurus from the dead, God made me alive (Ephesians 2:4-6) and caused in me a desire for Him. I accepted Christ that day. We moved back to Florida about 6 months later.

I continued my walk, attending church and leading a prayerful life right up until the age of 13 when my hormones kicked in. I became the prodigal son. Turning from my Father and seeking the excitement of the world. I continued that life of temporary pleasure and constant discontent until the age of 24 when my daughter was born. Sending her to Christian daycare and school was a big priority to me as was setting an example for her. God used her to bring me home.

As I was raised Baptist, I sought Baptist churches. I was never quite comfortable with how the Word sometimes contradicted what I was hearing.

As Kimmy grew older and she began to attend a Baptist school, she accepted Christ as her Savior. We made it a habit to attend together. (Her mother and I had split up by then and Kimmy lives with me).

While at work about 3 1/2 years ago, God sent me into the office of a woman who changed my life. She introduced me to a beautiful, single Christian girl who became my wife about 10 months later. God used this woman to draw me to a Presbyterian (P.C.A.) church and revealed to me the truth of Reformed doctrine, something I had struggled with in the past churches I had attended, but never had a name for.

Praise God for how my life has changed! I have two wonderful daughters and a gorgeous wife. All of whom are members of the Body of Christ. I am now an Elder in the PCA, Associate Staff in Missions to the World, I teach youth, Sunday school and lead Wed. night prayer.

My biggest blessing is my family and friends. What a joy it is to look around me during a birthday party, wedding, etc. and know that God made these people my family and that I will spend eternity with them all.

 

[II Paradox II]

Any of you who are PCA Presbyterians, I'd like to know how you came to be where you are now.

I'm actually a reformed baptist, but I would go to a PCA church if one of mine were not available. I have found many of them to be very well grounded.

ken

 

[Reformationist]

I just want to say, I've been wandering since becomeing extremely frustrating at my current church. They seem to only use the bible to crutch their teachings and endless story telling, instead of teaching the bible. Worship is basically a rock concert complete with lights and lazor show.

I checked out a Lutheran Church, liked it, but not for me.


Went to a PCA Church in my town. Service was so much more conservative. A nice civil worship, songs who's lyrics were based on scripture, group prayer but with the condition of, "if you want to pray aloud, it must be loud enough for everyone to hear it". As opposed to all the distracting mumbling and "tongues" I was used to.

Then get this, the pastor taught the text! Praise God
It was awesome, I left church filling uplifted, yet not based on some emotional high and false joy. Why? because I heard about and learned about God through his word he has so graciously gave us as a means of grace.


Only one hang up, I'll need to be convienced of the pratice of "infant baptism"...shouldn't be hard as I don't necesarily not belive in it, but I want to see a pretty solid case for it as I have for election, calling, and justification. But please don't feel the need to do this for me, one of my Pastors is already on the case. I don't want the thread getting filled with that back and forth mess.

Pretty sure after what I've read so for about the split, (PCUSA and PCA) I'm definatly on the right side of the fence for me. I'm pretty black and white, or conservative when it comes to God's word. Probably why I couldn't be Catholic if I wanted to.

Any of you who are PCA Presbyterians, I'd like to know how you came to be where you are now.

My beliefs are probably most closely related to PCA Presbyterian than any other denomination.

I won't go on about the infant baptism but I'll just tell you that it has been the majority practice in the church since it's establishment. That doesn't make it right. I'm just telling you that in the reformed community it is pretty much a majority practice. Important to note is that reformed Christians don't view baptism as a regenerative act but rather a covenental one.

God bless

 

[tigersnare]

Thank you all so much. Honestly I never thought I'd end up in one of the "Old Denominations" as Mr. Swaggart once called them.

But I see things in scripture that I just can't ignore or flex on, maybe I'm just stubborn and in sin....if so, I pray God deals kindly with me about it, if not, well at least I know I'm not alone!


As for infant baptism, me and my pastor sat down for three hours today, and this was the second issue we touched on. He explained the convenant stuff to me and on that basis, I do not have a problem with it.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Tigersnare,

I have some stuff on infant baptism, if you'd like me to respond.

I don't know if I am allowed to make that type of "argument" here, though. Maybe I can because you specifically asked for info on it? Mods, am I allowed?

If not, I can PM it to you if you want Tigersnare.

 

[tigersnare]

Thank you for wanting to help, but actually, I didn't ask for info on it. I asked that we not talk about it on here.

And I'm actually convienced at this point from the way the PCA sees it. If I decided to persue the topic further somewhere down the line, I will most definatly contact you though, so thanks again for wanting to help.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Sorry, I read too fast and didn't see where you said you didn't want to go into it here.