Stories from the Presbyterian Pew

PCA General Assembly 2026: Overtures Part 2

Here are some of the resources mentioned in this episode: * Presbyterian Church General Assembly 101 [https://presbyterianpew.org/courses/presbyterian-church-general-assembly-101/] (free course from Presbyterian Pew) * Report of the Ad Interim Committee on the Directory for Worship [https://pcaga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AICReport_DFW-5.21.26.pdf] * Partial Report of the Ad Interim Committee on Christian Nationalism [https://pcaga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AICReport_CN.pdf] * Overtures to the 2026 General Assembly [https://pcaga.org/resources/#overtures] * Polity Matters Podcast Episode on the 2026 Overtures [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ko9RfidqfLkcHDFZxoWps?si=4OMejAvLQjO9U7adepmanQ] * Alliance for Mission and Renewal Round Table Discussion on 2026 Overtures: Part 1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xezEYJN8aiM], Part 2 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpsstSfx40U], and Part 3 (coming soon) * Overtures Library [https://overtures26.replit.app/] (commentary from four PCA Elders) * Current Members of General Assembly Committees [https://presbyterianpew.org/committees-agencies-general-assembly/] * Article on Overture 56 [https://presbyterianpew.org/protecting-options-for-representation/]: Protecting Options for Representation Stories from the Presbyterian Pew depends on financial support from listeners. To contribute to the costs of producing and hosting the podcast, please visit https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/ [https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/]

PCA General Assembly 2026: Audio Tour and Overtures Part 1

Welcome to the first episode about PCA General Assembly in 2026. I'll be traveling to Louisville, KY to observe and share about the business that happens there. But beforehand, I want to give you an overview of what happens at General Assembly and the Overtures up for consideration this time around. Note: When I recorded this episode, I noted that it was possible the Assembly would not hear from the Study Committee on the Directory for Public Worship. That is now certain. You can read more about that decision here [https://byfaithonline.com/an-update-from-the-directory-for-worship-study-committee/]. I still recommend digging into the proposed report and listening to the interviews with its authors. Here are some of the resources mentioned in this episode: * Presbyterian Church General Assembly 101 [https://presbyterianpew.org/courses/presbyterian-church-general-assembly-101/] (free course from Presbyterian Pew) * 2026 General Assembly Docket [https://pcaga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GA-Docket-2026-2nd-Draft.pdf] (will almost certain change before it is adopted) * Gifts and Graces Podcast [https://www.pcaac.org/podcast/] (recording of past General Assembly seminars) * Report of the Study Committee to revise the Directory for Worship [https://pcaga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AICReport_DFW.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawSC2G5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0V080UEJ4NjVEV2t0Qklhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoe5ESx_a0bXVLuJUTNbD3FxCK5At9FMx-Fgi9TwZJNhOEy8YGJsAU3SWNWI_aem_YWdncwBfwVxWGjb7gKxli8SqXPkz&brid=YWdncwFMuQL1RIk-gm1yoNHEDLYL] * Interview with members of the Directory for Worship Study Committee with Polity Matters [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5P92YpSUiawzvvDsUqr6e9?si=77xgH55WS7-h8hccsLNy2Q] and with Alliance for Mission and Renewal [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y86FgB4lytc] * byFaith Article on the work of the Review of Presbytery Records Committee [https://byfaithonline.com/a-report-from-the-review-of-presbytery-records-2026/] * Overtures to the 2026 General Assembly [https://pcaga.org/resources/#overtures] * Polity Matters Podcast Episode on the 2026 Overtures [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ko9RfidqfLkcHDFZxoWps?si=4OMejAvLQjO9U7adepmanQ] * Alliance for Mission and Renewal Round Table Discussion on 2026 Overtures: Part 1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xezEYJN8aiM], Part 2 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpsstSfx40U], and Part 3 (coming soon) * Overtures Library [https://overtures26.replit.app/] (commentary from four PCA Elders) Stories from the Presbyterian Pew depends on financial support from listeners. To contribute to the costs of producing and hosting the podcast, please visit https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/ [https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/]

Grooming: Manipulation, Isolation, and Shame

The word "grooming" has become a household term and is tossed around in common conversation about everything from politics to reading lists. But what does grooming really mean? What does it actually look like? And would you be able to recognize it? This episode of the Stories from the Presbyterian Pew podcast is based roughly on this article of the same title [https://presbyterianpew.org/grooming-manipulation-isolation-shame/]. Recommended resources: * Presbyterian Church Abuse Response 101 [https://presbyterianpew.org/courses/presbyterian-church-abuse-response-101/] - free online course on our site, walking through the PCA's DASA Report and interviews with DASA authors. * You Are Safe Now [https://amzn.to/3Wsmz35] by Tricia Lott Williford and Jana Richardson MA LPC EMDR (For a summary overview of these concepts, see this interview with the authors [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbGys_jRHCw].) * Something's Not Right [https://amzn.to/3WsmHzB] by Wade Mullen * Bully Pulpit [https://amzn.to/3Wm6ax8] by Michael J. Kruger Stories from the Presbyterian Pew depends on financial support from listeners. To contribute to the costs of producing and hosting the podcast, please visit https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/ [https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/]

Becky's Story Part 3: Rebuilding Trust

In the first two parts of Becky's story, we heard about the crisis in her marriage and the involvement of the Presbytery. In this episode, Becky shares some practical and personal details about what it looked like to restore trust in the marriage as well as with other organizations. Stories from the Presbyterian Pew depends on financial support from listeners. To contribute to the costs of producing and hosting the podcast, please visit https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/ [https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/]

Becky's Story Part 2: One Year with the Presbytery

Today's episode picks up with the second part of Becky's story as her family returns from the mission field and the Presbytery begins the process of church discipline with her husband. You'll hear a lot of terms related to PCA church government in this episode. We'll define them for you in the introduction, but you can learn more in our free online course, Presbyterian Church Discipline 101 [https://presbyterianpew.org/burk-parsons-administratively-suspended/]. Stories from the Presbyterian Pew depends on financial support from listeners. To contribute to the costs of producing and hosting the podcast, please visit https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/ [https://presbyterianpew.org/donate/]