The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum PCA and OPC

I don't know if this goes here, but I'm pretty sure it's a theological question: what prevents the PCA and OPC from merging and forming one unified church? I've attended a PCA and an OPC and it seems to me that the OPC is slightly more conservative theologically than the PCA. Maybe it's just my limited viewpoint, but it seems to me that the difference is so minor that it shouldn't really be a problem. I would really appreciate some help with this.

One of the main reasons are the sizes of the two denominations. The PCA with approx 250-300k members engulfs the OPC with approx. 20-25k members. That would mean that the OPC TEs and REs would yield most its influence to those in the PCA.

I, personally, do not see anything wrong with having two almost the same denominations. God can work through both of them in special ways.

And, it might be noted, they are in communion.

This was tried in the early 80's. After years of discussions between the OPC and the RPCES, someone suggested that they just join the PCA. Things progressed rather quckly. First the PCA needed to tender an invitation to the OPC and RPCES to join the PCA.

The invitation to the RPCES passed and the RPCES accepted. They coordinated their General Assemblies in Grand Rapids. The RPCES GA quickly voted to disband and they simply went to the PCA GA.

Because of a problem with a teacher at Westminster (Norman Shepherd it think) the vote to invite the OPC failed by one presbytery. (The OPC later defrocked Dr. Shepherd.)

I am a member of the Bible Presbyterian Church. We are an off shoot of the OPC .
We have a couple doctrinal distinctives .. (the church is officially pre mil although I and some other members are Amil)

One part of me would like to see a union of the Reformed Presbyterian Brethren, but another says that if it be God's will to do it, it will happen and He has not so moved yet