Among many unifiers, there is one overarching truth that rings true in every pulpit of the PCA: Christ crucified and resurrected for the only hope in life and death! There are certainly differences: different emphases, different styles of worship, different buildings, and worship locations. But there is one common thread: We preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion and Resurrection as the only hope in life and death. As I and other MNA leaders travel around our denomination, we are consistently encouraged by the Christ-Centered preaching bond that unites us.
For this reason, part of Mission to North America’s Vision for growing the PCA to 3,000 congregation’s is not only planting new churches, revitalizing existing churches, partnering with committees and agencies, expanding the diversity of the PCA, but also enfolding like-minded congregations into the PCA. This involves several strategies including: intentionally looking to fill pulpits of empty congregations with PCA pastors with the hopes of leading them into the PCA, revitalizing dying congregations of other denominations inside the bounds of presbyteries with pastors with the ability to serve, those without call, or those honorably retired.
Since we are One Church with One Mission, recognizing it takes all of us: who do you know that has the gifts to lead such a congregation? What congregations do you know that have needs the PCA can meet? Without compromising our standards, or exposing our denomination to drift, we can intentionally seek to enfold existing congregations into our beloved denomination.
To what end? The prophet Isaiah tells us in chapter two: “…and many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’”
