PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (PCA)
The PCA is recommended because it has:
- Maintained faithful adherence to Reformed theology and biblical inerrancy
- Resisted the theological liberalism that captured mainline Presbyterian bodies
- Clear statement of faith based on Westminster Standards
- Complementarian position on church leadership
- Strong emphasis on expository preaching and theological education
- Historical track record of doctrinal fidelity since 1973
DENOMINATION BACKGROUND
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) was founded in 1973 by conservative congregations who departed from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS, the "Southern Presbyterian Church") due to theological liberalism and the push for union with the more liberal United Presbyterian Church.
The founding assembly met at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, with approximately 260 churches and 41,000 communicant members. The denomination was originally called the National Presbyterian Church, but changed its name to PCA in 1974.
The PCA has maintained a strong commitment to Reformed theology, biblical inerrancy, and the Westminster Standards. It has grown to become one of the largest conservative Presbyterian denominations in America, with over 1,900 churches and 390,000 members.
The PCA has remained remarkably stable doctrinally since its founding. The denomination has consistently upheld:
- Biblical inerrancy and the full authority of Scripture
- Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms
- Complementarian view of church leadership (no women elders or pastors)
- Traditional Christian sexual ethics
Recent discussions have included debates about social justice language and critical race theory, but the denomination has generally resisted progressive theological drift.
- D. James Kennedy (1930-2007): Founder of Evangelism Explosion and pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian
- R.C. Sproul (1939-2017): Founder of Ligonier Ministries, influential Reformed theologian
- Tim Keller (1950-2023): Founder of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC, author of "The Reason for God"
- Ligon Duncan: Chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary, former PCA Moderator
- Kevin DeYoung: Pastor of Christ Covenant Church, prolific author and blogger
- Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, FL) - Founded by D. James Kennedy
- Briarwood Presbyterian Church (Birmingham, AL) - Site of founding assembly
- Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York, NY) - Founded by Tim Keller
- Christ Covenant Church (Matthews, NC) - Kevin DeYoung's church
- Park Cities Presbyterian Church (Dallas, TX) - Large influential PCA church
- Tenth Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, PA) - Historic downtown church
