Ep. 491: Burk Parsons and St. Andrew’s Chapel, Church Security, Child Evangelism Fellowship Pursues Ambitious Goal

On today’s program, St. Andrew’s Chapel, the church founded by RC Sproul and now led by controversial pastor Burke Parsons, delays its long-awaited vote on leaving the Presbyterian Church in America. We’ll have details. The murders of two women at a Kentucky church this month point to a troubling trend—and churches are seeking help to prevent more violence. We’ll take a look. Plus, two years ago, Child Evangelism Fellowship set a goal of reaching 100 million children a year with the gospel through its ministry initiatives. MinistryWatch reporter Kim Roberts checked in for an update. First, former pastor Brady Boyd is starting a new ministry—just one month after being asked to resign from his Colorado Springs megachurch. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Kathryn Post, Jessica Eturralde, Henry Durand, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to the Christian Index for contributing material for this week’s podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT:    FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today’s program, St. Andrew’s Chapel, the church founded by RC Sproul and now led by controversial pastor Burke Parsons, delays its long-awaited vote on leaving the Presbyterian Church in America. We’ll have details. And, the murders of two women at a Kentucky church this month point to a troubling trend—and churches are seeking help to prevent more violence. We’ll take a look. Plus, two years ago, Child Evangelism Fellowship set a goal of reaching 100 million children a year with the gospel through its ministry initiatives. MinistryWatch reporter Kim Roberts checked in for an update. Natasha: But first, former pastor Brady Boyd is starting a new ministry—just one month after being asked to resign from his Colorado Springs megachurch. Warren: Brady Boyd, who resigned as lead pastor of megachurch New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in June, has started a new ministry — Psalm 68 Ministries. Psalm 68 Ministries says its mission is to serve widows, orphans and the forgotten, as well as ministry leaders. Natasha: Boyd had served at Gateway Church, founded by Robert Morris, from 2001 to 2007. He claimed he didn’t know that Morris had allegedly abused Cindy Clemishire when she was 12 years old. Warren: New Life elder Scott Palmer told the congregation on Sunday, June 22, that the elders believed Boyd’s insistence that he didn’t know Clemishire’s age was untrue. It is the primary reason the elders asked Boyd to step down. Natasha: Next, St. Andrew’s Chapel delays vote on leaving PCA. Warren: St. Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida, was scheduled to vote on leaving the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) on Sunday, July 20. Instead, in something of a surprise move, the congregation referred the matter to the church’s board of elders, also known as its session, to study the situation and return with a recommendation. Natasha: St. Andrew’s was originally formed as an independent congregation in 1997 with Dr. R.C. Sproul as its founding pastor. It then joined the PCA in 2023. Warren: Its pastors are ordained by and members of the Central Florida Presbytery. In June, a judicial commission of the Central Florida Presbytery found St. Andrew’s Senior Pastor Burk Parsons guilty of three charges and indefinitely suspended him from the duties of teaching elder in the PCA. He has appealed the judgment. Parsons is also a teaching fellow with Ligonier Ministries. The St. Andrew’s session is expected to report back about the decision to leave the PCA...