Presbyterian Church in America

Presbyterian Church in America

Website	pcanet.org

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the second-largest Presbyterian church body in the United States (behind the Presbyterian Church (USA)) and the largest conservative Calvinist denomination in the country. The PCA is Reformed in theology and presbyterian in government.

History

Background

Presbyterians trace their history to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Presbyterian heritage and much of its theology began with the French theologian and lawyer John Calvin (1509–1564). From Calvin's headquarters in Geneva, the Reformed movement spread to other parts of Europe. John Knox took Calvin's teachings to Scotland and led the Scottish Reformation of 1560. Immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought Presbyterianism to America as early as 1640.

The family tree of Presbyterian denominations in the United States, courtesy of the Presbyterian Historical Society

The PCA has its roots in theological controversies over liberalism and neo-orthodoxy in the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS), which had split from the mainline Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. along regional lines at the beginning of the Civil War.

Beginning in 1942, as the PCUS began to experiment with confessional revision and neo-orthodoxy/liberalism became influential in its seminaries, renewal groups formed, including Presbyterian Churchmen United, Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, and Concerned Presbyterians.

Conservatives sought to reaffirm the Westminster Confession of Faith, biblical inerrancy, and traditional sexual ethics, and opposed women's ordination and certain ecumenical efforts.

In December 1973, delegates from about 260 congregations met at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and organized the National Presbyterian Church (later renamed the Presbyterian Church in America after a name conflict).

Growth

Early expansion

In the mid-1970s several UPCUSA churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania joined after controversies surrounding women's ordination (notably the Kenyon Case).

In 1982 the PCA merged with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (RPCES) in a "Joining and Receiving" process, adding Covenant College and Covenant Theological Seminary to the denomination.

Later growth

Growth since the 1990s has come mainly through church planting, local outreach, and some congregations leaving the PC(USA), RCA, and other bodies.

As of the end of 2024 the PCA reported:

• 1,964 congregations
• 400,751 members
• 5,347 ministers

Doctrine and practice

The PCA adheres to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Westminster Larger Catechism, and Westminster Shorter Catechism as subordinate standards, with Scripture as the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

A summary of core beliefs includes:

• The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God.
• One God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
• Total depravity through Adam's fall.
• Unconditional election, particular redemption, irresistible grace, perseverance of the saints.
• Justification by faith alone.
• Infant baptism as a sign of the covenant.
• Future bodily return of Christ.
• Great Commission obligation.

The PCA does not ordain women as elders or ministers.

Demographics

The PCA is strongest in the Southeast (especially Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina). It also has significant presence in Texas, the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and growing Korean-American and Hispanic ministries.

Approximately 15–20% of members are non-white; Korean congregations make up about 15% of churches.

Agencies and ministries

• Mission to the World (MTW) — international missions
• Mission to North America (MNA) — domestic church planting and mercy ministries
• Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) — college campus ministry
• Covenant College (Lookout Mountain, Georgia)
• Covenant Theological Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri)
• Ridge Haven Conference and Retreat Center (Brevard, North Carolina)
• byFaith magazine

Headquarters are in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Relations with other denominations

The PCA is a member of:

• North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC)
• World Reformed Fellowship

It has fraternal relations with several Reformed bodies in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Notable churches

• Briarwood Presbyterian Church (Birmingham, AL)
• Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
• Korean Central Presbyterian Church (Centreville, VA)
• Park Cities Presbyterian Church (Dallas, TX)
• Perimeter Church (Johns Creek, GA)
• Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York, NY)
• Sarang Community Church of Southern California (Anaheim, CA)
• Tenth Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, PA)

Notable people

• Tim Keller — founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church
• Kevin DeYoung — pastor and author
• Ligon Duncan — theologian and seminary chancellor
• D. James Kennedy — Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church founder
• R. C. Sproul — theologian and Ligonier Ministries founder
• C. Everett Koop — former U.S. Surgeon General