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

Jul 1, 2025 • 46min
87. 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
86. 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
85. 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
84. 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
83. 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.

Jun 3, 2025 • 55min
82. Orderly Meeting
Orderly Meeting WebsiteOrderly Meetings TwitterClerk Download PageClerk of Session HandbookPresbytery Clerk HandbookSend 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

May 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
81. BCO 37: The Removal of Censure
Mel Duncan joins the show to help us think through the removal of censures in BCO 27. 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

May 13, 2025 • 1h 2min
80. BCO 36 The Infliction of Church Censures
Dr. Waters joins the guys to discuss the infliction of censures.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

May 6, 2025 • 39min
79. Bigger Problems Than Testifying in a PCA Court (BCO 35 part two)
Ben, Jared, Scott, and Fred finish out BCO 35.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

Apr 29, 2025 • 35min
78. An Out of Date Bunch of Malarkey (BCO 35 part one)
Ben, Jared, Scott, and Fred begin PCA BCO Chapter 35 on Evidence. They discuss the competency of witnesses, the rights of the accused and accuser, procedures for handling testimony, and the judgment of evidence in church 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