Interview with Pastor Mike

Presbyterian Church governance involves a system of elders who oversee the discipline and mission of the congregation, supported by deacons handling practical matters, and emphasizes community-based theological understanding through confessions of faith. This denomination prioritizes education, historically establishing churches, schools, and hospitals in new areas, and practices two sacraments, Baptism and Communion, while making decisions through a process of discussion, prayer, and voting, reflecting their belief in the Holy Spirit working through the community.

Infant baptism is practiced based on the belief that, like Hebrew infants who were circumcised, infants of believing parents should also be baptized as part of the covenant community, and communion is observed with the belief that Christ is present in the elements through the Holy Spirit. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) differs from the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) on various points such as the ordination of women, views on the inerrancy of the Bible, abortion, homosexuality, divorce, and theological conservatism, with the PCA being more conservative in its doctrines and practices.

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) and the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) share foundational doctrinal standards, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith, but differ in their conservatism and approaches to worship and church unity, with the OPC being more conservative and emphasizing unity through discussion and interdependence. The OPC focuses on indigenous Reformed partnerships in missions and values unity in Christ’s church, while the PCA values diversity and has significantly contributed to the formation of the World Fellowship of Reformed Churches; notable distinctions also exist between the PCA and the PCUSA regarding ordination practices, biblical inerrancy, views on abortion, and same-sex marriage.

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) maintains strict adherence to Reformed theology and the Westminster Standards, upholding traditional practices such as property ownership by congregations and an emphasis on evangelism, whereas the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA) values a diverse range of theological interpretations, allows for centralized administration, and prioritizes progressive social stances and inclusivity in worship and doctrines. Although both the PCA and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) share the same doctrinal standards, they differ in their historical contexts and organizational structures, with the PCA originating from a split with the Southern Presbyterian church in 1973 and the OPC from a separation with the mainline Presbyterian body in 1936.

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) prioritizes conservative doctrinal unity to engage and renew American culture more comprehensively, whereas the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) remains more uniform in its theological approach with a focus on indigenous church planting and operates with a pilgrim mindset that opposes modern evangelicalism. Despite differences in governance and mission funding strategies, both denominations collaborate in mission fields and recognize each other as partners in their evangelical efforts.

Modern practical theology has shifted towards a man-centered approach, emphasizing growth, statistics, and managerial skills over biblical priorities, often intertwining with social sciences and commercialism in a way that can trivialize the biblical vision. Despite differences between the PCA and OPC, these denominations maintain substantial unity in their shared mission under Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of heritage and philosophy in ministry.