Polity Matters 66. Motion to Reconsider: Assistant Pastors
Feb 4, 2025
In this discussion, Adam Parker, a PCA pastor from the Pacific Northwest, delves into the pivotal role of assistant pastors in church governance. He contrasts their responsibilities with associate pastors and reviews the historical context behind their emergence in the 1970s. Parker highlights the ongoing debates about their relevance today and suggests reforms for their roles to better meet contemporary needs. The conversation wraps up with a lighthearted 'lightning round,' where personal anecdotes add a fun twist to the serious topics discussed.
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Adam Parker's Atheism
- Adam Parker was an atheist for three years after a negative experience at a Pentecostal summer camp.
- He eventually returned to Christianity through reading apologetics.
Assistant Pastor Anomaly
- The PCA has an anomaly: assistant pastors are placed over a church without congregational election.
- This contradicts preliminary principle six and BCO 16.2, which stipulate congregational consent for officers.
Assistant Pastor History
- The PCA adopted the assistant pastor role from the PCUS, despite the original PCUS BCO not having it.
- The PCUS later removed the position, while the PCA retained it despite early opposition.