Current Presbyterianism needs a Reformation as surely as Roman catholicism needed it in the 16th century, and still needs it in the 21st century.

Roman catholicism never learned from the Protestant Reformation, but instead it battened down the hatches and carried on worse than before.  This is a natural reaction, and not many people learn from other people’s criticisms. Romanism had its Counter-Reformation, anathematising biblical doctrine in its Council of Trent, added new dogmas about the Virgin Mary, and its pope in Rome was declared to be infallible when speaking ex cathedra (how grand!) about faith and morals. With its global dominance it sees no need to reform and simply ignores what it does not want to hear.

Similarly, with current Presbyterianism. It also has a global reach and with this there is plenty of scope for Diotrephes “who loves the pre-eminence” 3Jn 1:9, to strut himself (or, increasingly, herself) upon the global stage. This behaviour is native to the sinful heart of man, which is unwilling to admit nor accept its mistakes with any readiness.

Current Presbyterianism is not analysing why it is failing to address the needs of our times.  The Church of Scotland is closing and selling its buildings at an alarming rate.  The next generation is not attending its services. Its Gospel does not appeal. It is running out of smaller churches on whose personnel and numbers it has drawn for so long throughout the past century.

Most analysis, if there is any, is about church structures and telling others about the need to rally to one or another flag. There is minimal biblical analysis. The little use made of the Bible is misinterpreted or misapplied. Jn 17 is wrongly repeated as if Jesus commanded His apostles to be one Jn 17:11 (were they not already one?). It is misused in the tiresome ecumenical manner to force organisational unity Jn 17:21 in a shotgun marriage.

Self-examination

As I composed this blogpost, I read at family worship “so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily” Act 16:5. This does not happen nowadays. The Presbyterian church has lost its way. It is not following Him Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is following ecclesiastical protocols, following its leaders, failing to heed the Master’s warning and command: “Leave them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind, and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” Mat 15:14. Current ecclesiastical structures and leadership are inhibiting its spiritual growth. Jesus commands: “Leave them alone.”

You may think that this is not true of your ecclesiastical fellowship. Consider Jesus’ charge to His own disciples: “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod” Mk 8:15. Do you know how this applies to yourself and to your own fellowship? Possbily you think that Jesus’ words applied only to His own disciples. Really? They are long since gone from this world but Jesus’ words remain. Jesus’ disciples missed His point completely, so Jesus continued: “Having eyes, do you not see? and having ears, do you not hear? and do you not remember?” Are you also missing the point? Do you not remember what the Bible says Christianity used to be like? Can you not see and hear that your eccleasiastical fellowship is not building up the saints in the faith, and not increasing in number daily?

As for self-examination, elements of Roman catholicism were retained, unrecognized in the early documents of Presbyterianism. What was intended to be biblical, presbyterian re-structuring of the church has become an ungodly behemoth on which reputations are built, almost imitating the whore mounting the beast in the Book of Revelation Rev 17:1-3. This capability has promoted self-aggrandisement and, worse, legalism along with the legalistic frame built into the system of church courts. An adversorial approach has developed in presbyterianism which is interfering with both its spirituality and its usefulness.

Legalism in its ecclesiastical structures is bad enough; inhibiting proper Christian fellowship is worse. “The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee” 1Cor 12:21, but this is the pressing need of the hour. Do you know how you need other Christians? How will you find out? Can you do so without speaking to one another?

Current Presbyterianism needs more than oil on its rusty cogs; the wheels are out of alignment and some wheels are missing.

Preaching

People-centred preaching has replaced exegetical preaching of Scripture. Ecumaniacs often quote John 17:21 but do you hear them quoting Jn 17:9 in its context of Christian unity? Discriminating, appealing and welcoming preaching needs to commend itself to the consciences of its hearers 2Cor 4:2.

Jesus says: “Come unto Me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest” Mat 11:28.

The current, poor preaching needs to be reformed. We need exegetical preaching which shows people how Gospel doctrines emerge from the Word of God. Systematic and historical theology have their place in the classroom but we don’t need lectures in the pulpit. We need the living Word of God to inform and move everyone’s conscience. Jesus said: “It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life” Jn 6:63. We need this in the pulpit.

The Defence of the Gospel

“I am set for the defence of the Gospel.”

Philippians 1:17

It is one thing to preach the Gospel; it is another thing to defend the Gospel.

Institutional Presbyterianism has failed to protect the Gospel in churches with unconverted office-bearers. The Declaratory Act Era in worldwide Presbyterianism allowed unfaithful men to lead the church astray. National churches are now failing their nations. There is a biblical solution to this, and it should be taught and practised.

Congregational growth

We need both internal, spiritual growth and external organical growth. The roots of the tree grow downwards before its branches grow upwards.

Congregational fellowship needs to be biblically organised in order to make better use of the gifts and grace Christ has given to His church. Preachers and elders need to learn the apostle Peter’s teaching about oversight 1Pe 1:1-5. Congregations need to rediscover their purpose and learn to function as the body of Christ.

Presbyterianism needs to reform – Presbyterianism needs a biblical Reformation.

Links:

7 Apr 2012: improving Congregational Fellowship and Presbyterian oversight.

6 May 2025: Presbyterian privilege and assistance.

24 Jul 2026: the Spirit and Form of Presbyterianism.