At a special called meeting on Feb. 20 in Atlanta, Georgia, the Administrative Committee of the Presbyterian Church in America nominated Dr. Bryan Chapell to serve as the next stated clerk of the PCA. Pending approval by the 48th General Assembly at its June meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, Chapell would become the denomination’s fourth stated clerk.
The search began at the Administrative Committee’s meeting last April after Dr. L. Roy Taylor announced his plan to retire as stated clerk in June 2020 after 22 years of service. The Administrative Committee formed a seven-member Search Committee consisting of five ruling elders and two teaching elders who concluded their work with Chapell’s unanimous nomination.
“Bryan is a respected pastor and experienced leader within the denomination,” said Ruling Elder Danny McDaniel, chairman of the Administrative Committee and the Search Committee. “When we looked at the qualifications required by the Rules of Assembly Operation 3-5, it became obvious to each of us that Bryan was more than well-qualified for the office.”
Chapell has served as the senior pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois, since 2013, and has devoted his entire career to pastoring churches and training others to do the same. Previously, he served Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis for three decades, including as president and chancellor from 1994 to 2013. He has written numerous best-selling books, including “Christ-Centered Preaching,” “Christ-Centered Worship,” “Holiness by Grace,” “Praying Backwards,” “Each for the Other,” and a children’s book, “I’ll Love You Anyway & Always.”
Chapell told the Administrative Committee, “I love the Presbyterian Church in America for her commitment to the truth of Scripture, the importance of sound doctrine, and the urgency of advancing the mission and message of our Savior Jesus Christ. Should the Lord grant me the privilege of serving the PCA in the stated clerk’s position, then I would have no higher goal than doing all that I could to advance these distinctives of our church.”
He is deeply familiar with PCA polity, having been elected as the moderator of the 42nd General Assembly held in Houston, Texas. He has been elected multiple times to serve as a member of the Standing Judicial Commission and the Committee on Constitutional Business. He has also served on the Overtures Committee, including once as its chairman, and has been appointed as a member to several study committees. He enjoys a good reputation and is involved with other branches of Christ’s church, including as a council member for The Gospel Coalition and member of the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization.
Bryan is married to Kathy, a talented musician and spiritual mother to many. They have four adult children and a growing number of grandchildren.
“I am delighted with the Administrative Committee’s nomination of Dr. Bryan Chapell for election by the General Assembly to become the fourth stated clerk of the PCA,” said Dr. L. Roy Taylor. “Dr. Chapell is very well qualified to serve as stated clerk by his gifts, experience, education, temperament, and interests. He has served in several PCA leadership roles and will serve the PCA well in this new role.”
Over the course of nine months, the Search Committee interviewed and vetted multiple candidates for the position before concluding with its unanimous recommendation for Chapell to serve as the next stated clerk.
“We are grateful to God for Bryan Chapell’s willingness to serve the denomination in this capacity and the diligence of the committee members throughout this process. We are confident that God has led us to the right man,” said McDaniel.
Chapell has written a personal message to the PCA, which can be read here. Chapell’s nomination will be considered by the 48th General Assembly when it convenes June 16-20, 2020, in Birmingham.