

Polity Matters
Edburg, Nelson, Ratliff
A podcast on the foundations of Presbyterian Church government. Hosted by Scott Edburg, Jared Nelson, and Ben Ratliff.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 12, 2025 • 58min
96. Nothing of Substance (RPR w/Thomas Rickard)
Scott and Jared are joined by Thomas Rickard to have (another) discussion about Review of Presbytery Records.Send us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

Aug 5, 2025 • 50min
95. Put Me Out of My Misery (BCO 39)
It's all about the modes! Join Scott, Jared, and Fred as the discuss the BCO chapter with the longest title: Modes in Which the Proceedings of Lower Courts Come Under the Supervision of Higher Courts.Send us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

Jul 29, 2025 • 49min
94. A Good Church, A Bad Church, and Nowhere (BCO 38)
He's never introduced, but you can't deny the dulcet tones of RE Howie Donahoe, who joins Scott and Jared to get into BCO 38.Presbytery Clerks Download PageSend us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

Jul 22, 2025 • 52min
93. BCO Amendments Are Coming!
Scott leads us through the BCO amendments sent down from this years General Assembly. https://pcapolity.com/2025/07/22/thirteen-proposed-amendments-in-2025/Send us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

Jul 15, 2025 • 42min
92. Regarding Paul Settle
Jared sits down with Mel Duncan and Jason Helopolous to discuss the influential ministry of Rev. Paul Settle.Send us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

Jul 1, 2025 • 46min
91. 52nd PCAGA Recap
Ben and Jared hit a few highlights of the 52nd General Assembly, and then Jared is joined by the PCA Archivist Wayne Sparkman for a brief interview.To win a signed copy of Our Bond of Union by Per Almquist, email us and tell how Polity Matters has been a help to you since we started in 2023. Winner will be selected by the three hosts toward the end of July 2025.Check out the following GA roundups that are already published:Presbyterian and Reformed Churchman PodcastGeorge Sayour's summaryByFaith SummaryRyan Biese's SummaryJoe Cristman's SummaryBCO History webpageSend us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 9min
90. Revisiting RPR
Our AI substitute wasn't able to record an episode, so it seem like it generated an introduction with NotebookLM and then aired our RPR Deep Dive from last year. Enjoy.Send us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

4 snips
Jun 16, 2025 • 40min
89. Crash Course on the PCA General Assembly
Steve Dowling, a previous moderator and friend of the show, shares his invaluable insights on the upcoming PCA General Assembly. He reveals the inner workings of committee discussions and the overture process, highlighting the significance of preliminary talks. The importance of Tuesday night’s worship service and the electoral dynamics are discussed, alongside challenges in voting logistics. Dowling stresses respectful engagement, preparation tips for attendees, and the fun elements like swag bags to enhance the experience for all participants.

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 7min
88. Some Sense of Order (Overtures 2025 Part Two)
Alex Ford is back! We quickly put him to work sifting through Overtures with the guys...http://pcahistory.orgOvertures discussed: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50Send us a text message! (but bear in mind the we can't see who sends it unless you tell us...)Support the showScott's TwitterJared's TwitterBen's Twitter

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 2min
87. It's Almost GA, Where's Our Controversy? (Overtures 2025 Part One)
Alex Ford, an associate pastor from central Wisconsin, joins the discussion to unravel the intricate web of proposed church governance changes ahead of the General Assembly. They dive into the potential overhaul of court procedures and the need for clarity in disciplinary actions. Complex topics such as voting regulations and the implications of categorizing members based on voting rights spark lively debates. The conversation navigates the challenges of maintaining community inclusivity while refining leadership roles in the church.