The Ministry
of Reconciliation
United with Christ and with One Another
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19
A Letter from Bryan Chapell
The mission of the PCA is the mission of reconciliation. We are people who were once separated from God, strangers to the covenant. But now, God in his rich mercy has reconciled us to himself through our risen Savior. As our Confession puts it, Christ “hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him” (WCF 8.5). We praise God for this good news and we have the privilege of announcing it to our neighbors and to the nations!
As we celebrate 50 years of God’s blessing upon the PCA, reconciliation is more than a message we proclaim. It’s also a reality we are called to model to the world. In a culture where enmity and animosity are not merely tolerated but celebrated, Christ’s body is an alternative society where people love, forgive, and serve one another. If we are competing against one another at all, Paul says we should be competing to “Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).
The PCA Administrative Committee exists to help the PCA live as a reconciled body of believers. Reconciled people are dependent people. Just as we depend on the grace of God for daily strength, we also depend on the gifts and grace he has given to women and men across our denomination as we seek to be faithful to the vision and mission of our founding fathers. To further this vision and mission, the Administrative Committee has the privilege of connecting the various parts of our denomination to one another so we can carry out Christ’s purposes with the gifts and resources we celebrate in this Golden Anniversary year.
As you explore this report, you will discover the vital and practical ways the “AC” connects and coordinates the responsibilities and relationships of PCA churches, presbyteries, and assemblies through communications, operations, and arrangements that enable our branch of Christ’s Church to fulfill the ministry and mission to which God called us 50 years ago—and ages ago. In order to do this, we depend on the grace of God and the generosity of churches and individuals to support our work. Every dollar donated to the Administrative Committee helps the PCA model the ministry of Christ’s reconciliation, furthering the unity, purity, and mission of the church our founders envisioned—and sacrificed to establish.
Please pray for Christ to bless the Administrative Committee with wisdom and strength as we work for the founding vision of this branch of the Church. And also, please consider how God is calling you and your church to financially partner with us so that we can help our denomination celebrate and collaborate as one body in Christ’s ongoing mission.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Bryan Chapell
Stated Clerk
Presbyterian Church in America
We Promote:
UNITY
Reconciliation leads to unity. Christ died to unite us to himself and prayed that we would live united to one another. In a denomination with 88 presbyteries, 1,932 churches, and 5,247 ministers, it takes intentionality to remain connected and united in our mission. The Administrative Committee helps the church function as one body. The PCA Administrative Committee coordinates and facilitates the General Assembly, Nominating Committee, Cooperative Ministries Committee, byFaith Magazine, and Interchurch Relations Committee.
PURITY
Our unity in Christ is worth protecting. Purity requires biblical fidelity and confessional integrity. We help the church comply with its constitutional standards. The PCA Administrative Committee coordinates and facilitates the Standing Judicial Commission, Review of Presbytery Records, Theological Examining Committee, and the Committee on Constitutional Business.
MISSION
Reconciliation in Christ is the ministry and mission to which the PCA is called. It requires churches being able to find pastors who can preach it, presbyteries that can plant and support churches to spread it, and denomination-wide efforts to promote it. The Administrative Committee helps the PCA keep its ministries moving forward in mission together. The PCA Administrative Committee coordinates and facilitates pastoral search resources, presbytery clerk support, study committees, and the Historical Center.
…promote the UNITY
General Assembly (GA)
The AC organizes every aspect of the PCA’s annual gathering, from negotiating with city officials to organizing the docket.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee recommends qualified men to serve on the committees overseeing the work of the committees and agencies of the PCA. The committee depends on the AC to coordinate their annual meeting and facilitate regular communications.
Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC)
The CMC fosters cooperative ministry among Committees and Agencies. The AC coordinates and supports the work of the CMC.
byFaith
As the official magazine of the PCA, byFaith informs and encourages members of the work God is doing through the various parts of the denomination. byFaith is supported financially and administratively through the office of the AC.
Interchurch Relations Committee (IRC)
The IRC serves as a liaison between the Presbyterian Church in America and other denominations and church councils. The Interchurch Relations Committee depends on the AC to maintain and coordinate communications with other parts of Christ’s kingdom.
…promote the PURITY
Each of these bodies depends on the AC to facilitate its communication, coordinate its meetings, maintain its records, and provide other administrative support as needed.
Standing Judicial Commission (SJC)
The General Assembly annually elects twenty-four elders to serve as members of the Standing Judicial Commission to which it commits all matters governed by the Rules of Discipline.
Review of Presbytery Records (RPR)
Representatives of every presbytery convene annually to review the records of the presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America.
Theological Examining Committee (TEC)
Every first and second level administrative officer of every committee and agency must meet the approval of the Theological Examining Committee prior to being presented to the Assembly for approval.
Committee on Constitutional Business (CCB)
The CCB provides advice to the Stated Clerk and the Assembly concerning non-judicial matters pertaining to the Constitution of the PCA and proposed amendments to it.
…promote the MISSION
Pastoral Search
As requested, the Administrative Committee provides help to pulpit search committees and candidates as they seek to fill openings. The PCA also provides and maintains a centralized online database of opportunities and candidates to help each become aware of the other.
Presbytery Clerk Support
To keep the work of the church moving forward, the Administrative Committee functions as a support system for presbytery clerks. They inquire of the Stated Clerk’s office regarding constitutional and administrative matters. Moreover, the AC annually convenes clerks to discuss latest updates to the Book of Church Order and provides opportunities for them to learn from each other.
Study Committees
The General Assembly regularly appoints committees to study issues of importance to the church. The Administrative Committee funds these committees alongside of coordinating their communications and meetings.
Historical Center
The PCA Historical Center serves as central repository for the records and artifacts from congregations, presbyteries, and the General Assembly. The Administrative Committee is charged with the oversight and funding of the Historical Center.
Our Financials
To see our full financial statement, click here.
2023 Budgeted Comparison of Program
and Administrative Expenses
Percent of 2023 Budget in Each Cost Center
A Letter From John Robertson
A word of heartfelt thanks is due to all of our PCA churches and individuals who have given so generously to sustain the PCA by their financial gifts to the PCA Administrative Committee over the years. The PCA AC is the connecting point for the organizational structure of the PCA. Without a connectional point it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to stay on mission and maintain the kingdom work to which we believe the Lord has called the PCA.
As I write, the PCA is functioning in its 50th year of proclaiming the gospel, teaching the truths of Scripture, maintaining many ministries of mercy, and enjoying God and loving one another in worship and fellowship in approximately 2000 congregations. God, our heavenly Father, has been very gracious to us in all the ups and downs of almost 50 years. We hope that all PCA members will join in some aspect of celebration and praise to our heavenly Father, who has blessed us so richly in Christ Jesus, His Son, and our Savior.
As we move through 2023 and into 2024, we need your continued prayers and financial support! Please give as generously as you can individually. In 2024 we estimate that we need a total budget of almost $3,800,000; approximately $2,00,000 of which needs to come in as contributions! We are asking all churches and individuals to give as generously as you can.
We believe this is a reasonable expense for connecting the PCA and helping to move forward the evangelical, Reformed church and mission that God in His providence has so generously given us.
Our request to our churches remains the same as it has been. Would you please endeavor to give in the financial range of 0.35% of tithes and offerings, or, if you prefer to give per capita, $8 per member. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,
John W. Robertson
PCA Business Administrator