The most obvious definition of shepherdess is "female shepherd" and of deaconess "female deacon". Waiter, waitress. Steward, stewardess. Actor, actress. etc. etc.
The implication is these people serve the same function but are merely differentiated by gender. Using those titles for non-ordained officers in a congregation may have been innocent, but it is no less a mistake. If the language in 7-4 isn't sufficient because it forbids only the un-suffixed titles of our offices, then I suppose we need an additional amendment to clarify that neither should any non-ordained officer be labeled using one of these titles with any prefix or suffix. 🤷♂️
Had the PCA been faithful to the spirit of the law, Foster, et al would not have needed to post anything. The stunning lack of discernment that has allowed abomination (Revoice, the Ince debacle, side b inclusion, etc..etc..) to be commonplace in the PCA demonstrates that the days of genteel southern manners are over.
Having been in the PCA for nearly 35 years and an elder for over 30, I generally agree with what you have written. However, while TE's (at least within a presbytery) know what their sister churches are doing, many ruling elders do not. Many Ruling Elders work in demanding careers and serve uncompensated and lightly supported. If Teaching elders don't raise troubling issues around the PCA, many members of the session go uninformed. For all the problems with airing church issues on social media, the operations of the PCA, its agencies, presbyteries, and individual congregations are aired to a wider audience and hence broader scrutiny. Some of us are hypersensitive to deviations because the history of Presbyterianism is littered with the carcasses of formerly faithful sister denominations which apostatized. Slippery slope issues which are not addressed early can be dangerous. It is important that our judicial processes are just and above reproach, however members and outsiders need to see that the ordained men in our body are faithful in protecting our heritage. As you said, it is hard work and the wheels turn slowly. I appreciate that, yet placing friendship and collegiality above fidelity is a subtle trap and must be assiduously avoided.
The most obvious definition of shepherdess is "female shepherd" and of deaconess "female deacon". Waiter, waitress. Steward, stewardess. Actor, actress. etc. etc.
The implication is these people serve the same function but are merely differentiated by gender. Using those titles for non-ordained officers in a congregation may have been innocent, but it is no less a mistake. If the language in 7-4 isn't sufficient because it forbids only the un-suffixed titles of our offices, then I suppose we need an additional amendment to clarify that neither should any non-ordained officer be labeled using one of these titles with any prefix or suffix. 🤷♂️
Had the PCA been faithful to the spirit of the law, Foster, et al would not have needed to post anything. The stunning lack of discernment that has allowed abomination (Revoice, the Ince debacle, side b inclusion, etc..etc..) to be commonplace in the PCA demonstrates that the days of genteel southern manners are over.
What is easy for elders is to stifle disagreement using the threat of the church courts against those who don't have the resources to fight back.
Having been in the PCA for nearly 35 years and an elder for over 30, I generally agree with what you have written. However, while TE's (at least within a presbytery) know what their sister churches are doing, many ruling elders do not. Many Ruling Elders work in demanding careers and serve uncompensated and lightly supported. If Teaching elders don't raise troubling issues around the PCA, many members of the session go uninformed. For all the problems with airing church issues on social media, the operations of the PCA, its agencies, presbyteries, and individual congregations are aired to a wider audience and hence broader scrutiny. Some of us are hypersensitive to deviations because the history of Presbyterianism is littered with the carcasses of formerly faithful sister denominations which apostatized. Slippery slope issues which are not addressed early can be dangerous. It is important that our judicial processes are just and above reproach, however members and outsiders need to see that the ordained men in our body are faithful in protecting our heritage. As you said, it is hard work and the wheels turn slowly. I appreciate that, yet placing friendship and collegiality above fidelity is a subtle trap and must be assiduously avoided.