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Connectionalism

Posted on by Carl Robbins

For the last two Sundays Sandy and I’ve been away from WRPC, ministering in other congregations.

Carl OKC ConferenceTwo weeks ago we spent the weekend at Heritage PCA in Oklahoma City, preaching seven times at their Oklahoma Conference on Reformed Theology. We delighted in their Lord’s Day worship services (AM & PM) from the familiar  songs out of the Trinity Hymnal, to the wise pastoral prayers, to the reverent administration of the sacraments, and the loving fellowship. Denise Peabody accompanied the congregational singing – just like she has done (with excellence & joy) for over 30 years.

Robbins GrandbabyLast Sunday we enjoyed Lawndale PCA (My son, John, and DeAnna’s church) in Tupelo, MS where I was privileged to administer the sacrament of baptism to my newest grandchild (Emmie Ruth). Again, wonderful singing, excellent teaching of the Word in Sunday School and the soul-searching preaching (from Hebrews 3) and the praying of our old friend, Pastor Bill Bradford. The Lord’s Table was served with joy and sincerity. We were thankful for the warmth and friendliness of humble, believing people.

Two churches in different states. But in both places Sandy and I felt completely at home. Why? In a word, “Connectionalism”.

What does “connectionalism” mean? That members of PCA congregations have a web of connections based around:

  • A system of doctrine to which EVERY minister, elder and deacon must subscribe – All ordained men publicly vow that they have carefully read the Westminster Confession of Faith, and “subscribe” to it as their beliefs and practices. We are bound together by our firm insistence on our creed.
  • Government – Every PCA congregation has the exact same system of oversight: rule by a plurality of elders, all elected by their people. All of these congregations are part of presbyteries, which are all part of the General Assembly. WRPC is NOT an independent entity, but tied to a large (almost 2,000 congregations) denomination.
  • Discipline – All churches in the PCA are committed to guarding the peace and purity of the church, and so will address sin and hold her members accountable for a holy life. We are united by our discipline.
  • Relationships – It’s very typical when people who are in one PCA congregation move across the country that they find another PCA congregation in their new location and plug in. At WRPC we have members who were part of PCA churches in Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee, Ohio, Nevada, Texas, Georgia, California and more

Sandy and I joined Heritage PCA in OKC in July of 1983 and have been ensconced in PCA congregations ever since: in Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Our plan is to die happy in the PCA. These are our people. We are connected.

Carl Robbins
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Carl Robbins
Carl is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a graduate of Crichton College and Covenant Theological Seminary. Pastor Robbins has served churches in South Carolina, Oklahoma and Nevada. In addition Carl has served on the board of crisis pregnancy centers, Christian schools and seminaries. He has spoken to college groups, medical school forums, state legislative groups, seminary chapels and church conferences. His special passion is training pastors in developing countries. Carl and wife Sandy have been married for 37 years(!) and are the parents of three believing, adult children: John and his wife DeAnna and their children (Bray, Emmie Ruth, and Maggie Grace), James and his wife Megen and their children (Jack and Lainey Janice), and Sarah and her husband Andrew Holmes. Carl and Sandy love OU football, big dogs, good Mexican food, and the beach—any beach, any time.