Polity Matters

Jared Nelson and Scott Edburg are joined by Mel Duncan, moderator of the 53rd General Assembly, to walk through the first two chapters of the Rules of Assembly Operations. Chapter 1 covers calling the General Assembly to order, the opening sermon and exhortation, the stated clerk's enrollment report, and the election of the moderator, including nominating speeches, ballots, and clickers. Chap...

Ben, Jared, and Scott welcome PCA Stated Clerk Fred Greco back to the show as they kick off a new season working through the Rules of Assembly Operation (RAO) -- the "yellow pages" section of the BCO appendices. Fred explains what the RAO actually is: the rulebook for how General Assembly conducts its business, and a window into how the PCA's permanent committees, agencies, and Stan...

With the Book of Church Order wrapped up, Ben, Jared, and Scott prepare listeners for the coming round of Presbytery meetings. The 53rd General Assembly sent seven BCO amendments to the presbyteries for advice and consent (BCO 26). Each must be voted on as a whole, needs two-thirds of presbyteries, and then a majority at a subsequent GA. The guys walk through what each one says and why it was prop...

It is the end. Good bye. Bible Reading Plan Generator The Fullness of Grace by Stephen Yuille A Neglected Grace by Jason Helopoulos The Family Worship Bible Guide Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

Discussion of the seven sections of BCO 62 on Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

Ben, Jared, and Scott walk through Chapter 61 of the PCA Book of Church Order ("The Burial of the Dead"), discussing the theology and practicalities of conducting funerals and graveside services. They cover how to balance worshipping God with comforting the living, navigate sensitive pastoral situations like cremation and services for unbelievers, and train ministry interns in funeral ca...

Ben, Jared, and Scott discuss BCO 60 on the visitation of the sick. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

Ben welcomes Fred Greco, Steve Tipton, and first-time commissioner RE Jonah Cleveland to debrief after the 53rd PCA General Assembly. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

In this episode, we sit down with David Strain to discuss the PCA's ad interim committee on Christian Nationalism. We explore the diverse definitions of the movement, the ethical challenges it presents in local congregations, and the committee's approach to providing pastoral counsel. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Cof...

The guys are joined by Joshua Torrey, Frank Cohee, and Adam Parker to discuss the possibility of an Ad Interim Committee on Artificial Intelligence.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

Ben and Jared pair up to work through BCO 59 on the Solemnization of Marriage. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

Ben, Scott, and Jared sit down with members of the committee tasked with revising the PCA’s Directory for Worship: Nate Shurden, Joel St. Clair, and Chad Van Dixhoorn. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

Ben , Scott , and Jared are joined by friend of the show Alex Ford to tackle the massive slate of overtures for the 53rd General Assembly. This year, a record 90 overtures (89 new and one referred from last year) are on the docket, covering everything from the diaconate to artificial intelligence. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a...

Ben, Scott, and Jared dive into BCO 58, exploring the constitutional requirements and practical nuances of administering the Lord's Supper within the PCA. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

Ben, Scott, and Jared dive into BCO 58, exploring the constitutional requirements and practical nuances of administering the Lord's Supper within the PCA. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

In this episode of Polity Matters , we walk through the last two sections of  BCO 57: The Admission of Persons to Sealing Ordinances. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

In this episode of Polity Matters , we walk through BCO 57: The Admission of Persons to Sealing Ordinances , focusing on how individuals—especially covenant children—are received into communing membership. We discuss pastoral practice, the role of the session, and the meaning of the membership vows. Along the way, we explore how the church faithfully shepherds people toward the Lord’s Table. PCA B...

In this episode, Ben, Scott, and Jared dive into BCO 56, walking through the theological and practical requirements for the administration of baptism in the PCA. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter

In this episode, Ben, Scott, and Jared dive into BCO 56, walking through the theological and practical requirements for the administration of baptism in the PCA. Cherry Hill Bibles Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's...

In this episode, Ben, Jared, and Scott dive into BCO 55 in the Directory for the Worship of God. The men discusses the importance, biblical basis, and practical application of confessing the faith publicly within the local congregation. Resources & Links: PCA Book of Church Order (BCO) : Read the full text of Chapter 55. The Westminster Standards : Explore the Confession of Faith and the Short...

In this episode, Ben Ratliff, Scott Edberg, and Jared Nelson dive into the theological and practical implications of BCO 54, exploring how the PCA views stewardship, the tithe, and the role of offerings in the worship service. From the "floor" of the tithe to the humor of "gerbil mascots," the team breaks down what it means to acknowledge God as the owner of all things. General...

In this episode of Polity Matters Ben, Scott, and Jared dive into the Book of Church Order (BCO) Chapter 53, which outlines the church's doctrine and practice regarding the preaching of the Word. From the theological weight of preaching as a means of grace to the practicalities of sermon length and the (unfortunate) inability to laser-engrave gerbils with the show's logo, the trio explor...

Jeffrey Choi, a PCA pastor in Los Angeles, discusses the nuances of Overture 37, the role of women in the diaconate, and the implications for PCA polity. https://orchardla.org/ https://pcaga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Overture-37_Pacific_9-3.pdf Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Poli...

Ben’s blog: https://www.pulpitmatters.com/   Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Worship – Hughes Oliphant Old A comprehensive guide for pastors and worship leaders on the theology and practice of public prayer. Purchase via Westminster Bookstore | Purchase via Christianbook A Method for Prayer – Matthew Henry The classic Puritan work on "praying the Bible." Purchase via Reformation Herita...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Official Website : politymatters.org   Support the Show : Buy Me a Coffee Twitter/X : @PolityMatters Facebook : Polity Matters Page Scott's Twitter Jared's Twitter Ben's Twitter