Burk Parsons: Difference between revisions
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'''Dr. Burk Parsons''' is an [[wikipedia:United States|American]] [[Presbyterian]] ([[Presbyterian Church in America|PCA]]) pastor at [[St. Andrew's Chapel (Sanford, Florida)|St. Andrew's Chapel]] in [[wikipedia:Sanford, Florida|Sanford, Florida]].<ref>https://sachapel.com/about/who-we-are/pastors-staff.html</ref> | '''Dr. Burk Parsons''' is an [[wikipedia:United States|American]] [[Presbyterian]] ([[Presbyterian Church in America|PCA]]) pastor at [[St. Andrew's Chapel (Sanford, Florida)|St. Andrew's Chapel]] in [[wikipedia:Sanford, Florida|Sanford, Florida]].<ref>https://sachapel.com/about/who-we-are/pastors-staff.html</ref> Parsons is also a teaching fellow at [[Ligonier Ministries]] and editor of the [[Tabletalk Magazine]].<ref>https://about.ligonier.org</ref> | ||
Parsons completed both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at [[Reformed Theological Seminary]] in [[wikipedia:Orlando, Florida|Orlando, Florida]]. His doctoral dissertation is titled ''"The Missio Dei and the Church: Towards Fulfilling the Great Commission through Ordinary Means of Grace Ministry."'' He has also served as a visiting lecturer at the seminary. | |||
==Controversy and Disciplinary Proceedings== | ==Controversy and Disciplinary Proceedings== | ||
| Line 22: | Line 24: | ||
In November 2024, the PCA’s Central Florida Presbytery’s “Minister and His Work” committee determined there was a “strong presumption of guilt” that Parsons violated his ordination vows (vows 5 and 7). These vows relate to his motives for ministry and his conduct in pastoral duties. | In November 2024, the PCA’s Central Florida Presbytery’s “Minister and His Work” committee determined there was a “strong presumption of guilt” that Parsons violated his ordination vows (vows 5 and 7). These vows relate to his motives for ministry and his conduct in pastoral duties. | ||
A judicial commission was formed, and in January 2025, Parsons was formally indicted and temporarily suspended from pastoral duties—including preaching, teaching, and administering the sacraments—pending trial. | A judicial commission was formed, and in January 2025, Parsons was formally indicted and temporarily suspended from pastoral duties—including preaching, teaching, and administering the sacraments—pending trial.<ref>https://ministrywatch.com/burk-parsons-suspended-from-pastoral-duties-at-st-andrews-chapel</ref> | ||
====== '''Judicial Trial (May–June 2025)''' ====== | ====== '''Judicial Trial (May–June 2025)''' ====== | ||
Between May 12 and 28, the presbytery conducted a trial lasting over 45 hours with more than 55 witnesses. In June 2025, the judicial commission unanimously found Parsons guilty of three specific charges: | Between May 12 and 28, the presbytery conducted a trial lasting over 45 hours with more than 55 witnesses. In June 2025, the judicial commission unanimously found Parsons guilty<ref>https://christian-heritage-news.com/2025/06/burk-parsons-found-guilty-by-church.html</ref> of three specific charges: | ||
*Being harsh, unkind, and ungentle in interpersonal interactions. | *Being harsh, unkind, and ungentle in interpersonal interactions. | ||
*Failing to lead humbly—exhibiting domineering and autocratic behavior that intimidated others. | *Failing to lead humbly—exhibiting domineering and autocratic behavior that intimidated others. | ||
*Slandering or demeaning other servants or churches | *Slandering or demeaning other servants or churches | ||
He was also found not guilty on two additional charges (which were unspecified). | He was also found not guilty on two additional charges (which were unspecified).<ref>https://theaquilareport.com/central-florida-presbytery-judicial-commission-announces-verdict-in-burk-parsons-case</reF> | ||
====== '''Suspension and Path to Restoration''' ====== | ====== '''Suspension and Path to Restoration''' ====== | ||
Parsons received an indefinite suspension from his duties as a teaching elder in the PCA—but not from receiving sacraments. The suspension remains in effect until he provides “satisfactory evidence of repentance.” The commission emphasized that restoration remains possible if he demonstrates sustained, exemplary, humble, and edifying life as required by church order. | Parsons received an indefinite suspension from his duties as a teaching elder in the PCA—but not from receiving sacraments. The suspension remains in effect until he provides “satisfactory evidence of repentance.” The commission emphasized that restoration remains possible if he demonstrates sustained, exemplary, humble, and edifying life as required by church order. | ||
Parsons has indicated his intent to appeal the verdict | Parsons has indicated his intent to appeal the verdict. | ||
==Publications== | ==Publications== | ||
Latest revision as of 01:41, 21 August 2025
| Birth Date | unknown |
|---|---|
| Residency | Central Florida |
| Theology | Presbyterianism |
| Occupation(s) | Pastor |
| Education | Reformed Theological Seminary |
| Affiliation(s) | St. Andrew's Chapel (pastor) Ligonier Ministries (fellow) Tabletalk Magazine (editor) |
| Spouse(s) | Amber Parsons |
| Children | unknown |
| Website | sachapel.com |
Dr. Burk Parsons is an American Presbyterian (PCA) pastor at St. Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Florida.[1] Parsons is also a teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries and editor of the Tabletalk Magazine.[2]
Parsons completed both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. His doctoral dissertation is titled "The Missio Dei and the Church: Towards Fulfilling the Great Commission through Ordinary Means of Grace Ministry." He has also served as a visiting lecturer at the seminary.
Controversy and Disciplinary Proceedings
Initial Investigation (2024–2025)
In November 2024, the PCA’s Central Florida Presbytery’s “Minister and His Work” committee determined there was a “strong presumption of guilt” that Parsons violated his ordination vows (vows 5 and 7). These vows relate to his motives for ministry and his conduct in pastoral duties.
A judicial commission was formed, and in January 2025, Parsons was formally indicted and temporarily suspended from pastoral duties—including preaching, teaching, and administering the sacraments—pending trial.[3]
Judicial Trial (May–June 2025)
Between May 12 and 28, the presbytery conducted a trial lasting over 45 hours with more than 55 witnesses. In June 2025, the judicial commission unanimously found Parsons guilty[4] of three specific charges:
- Being harsh, unkind, and ungentle in interpersonal interactions.
- Failing to lead humbly—exhibiting domineering and autocratic behavior that intimidated others.
- Slandering or demeaning other servants or churches
He was also found not guilty on two additional charges (which were unspecified).[5]
Suspension and Path to Restoration
Parsons received an indefinite suspension from his duties as a teaching elder in the PCA—but not from receiving sacraments. The suspension remains in effect until he provides “satisfactory evidence of repentance.” The commission emphasized that restoration remains possible if he demonstrates sustained, exemplary, humble, and edifying life as required by church order.
Parsons has indicated his intent to appeal the verdict.
Publications
- Why Do We Have Creeds?: Basics of the Faith (2012)
- Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God's Grace (2006)
- A Little Book on the Christian Life (2017)
References
- ↑ https://sachapel.com/about/who-we-are/pastors-staff.html
- ↑ https://about.ligonier.org
- ↑ https://ministrywatch.com/burk-parsons-suspended-from-pastoral-duties-at-st-andrews-chapel
- ↑ https://christian-heritage-news.com/2025/06/burk-parsons-found-guilty-by-church.html
- ↑ https://theaquilareport.com/central-florida-presbytery-judicial-commission-announces-verdict-in-burk-parsons-case
