The 53rd General Assembly has elected Melton “Mel” Duncan, ruling elder and stated clerk of Calvary Presbytery, to serve as moderator of the Assembly.
A lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, Duncan comes from what he calls “a long line of Presbyterian forebears.” His father, J. Ligon Duncan, Jr., was a ruling elder at Second Presbyterian Church when the church decided to join the PCA, and his mother, Shirley, formed the PCA Musicians Association in the 1980s. At the PCA’s 43rd General Assembly, Shirley was formally recognized as one of the PCA’s “founding mothers.” Brother J. Ligon Duncan, III, is the chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary.
Duncan grew up at Second Presbyterian under the ministries of Gordon Reed and Paul Settle. His father was an avid churchman, planning family vacations around attending General Assembly and involving the entire family in the life of the church.
“My whole life has been caught up in Second Pres,” he said.
Duncan embraced the church service modeled by his father and has served Second Presbyterian in a variety of roles, including Sunday school teacher, deacon, and ruling elder. He has served as stated clerk of Calvary Presbytery since 2016 and served on many presbytery committees, including the host committee for the 43rd PCA General Assembly in Greenville.
Duncan served for many years on the PCA Historical Center’s advisory committee as an alternate member, serving alongside his mother. But when Shirley passed away in 2022, Duncan assumed her role on the committee, just as Shirley had filled the committee vacancy left when her husband passed away in 1992.
At the General Assembly, Duncan has long been a fixture offering the Resolution of Thanks, a service that combines his love for the church and for history. He has also served on the Committee of Commissioners for Overtures, Administration, Mission to the World, Christian Education and Publication (now Discipleship Ministries), and Reformed University Fellowship. He has also served on the permanent committees for RUF, Nominations, Administration, and the Standing Judicial Commission. In 2025, Duncan served as the chairman of the Overtures Committee.
Nominating Duncan was Richard Phillips, the current senior pastor of Second Presbyterian. Phillips said Duncan has the experience, competence, trust, and goodwill necessary to lead the General Assembly proceedings. He noted Duncan’s considerable experience at the Assembly and the competence with which he leads.
“I really don’t think there’s a ruling elder at this point who has not already been moderator who is more qualified than Mel Duncan,” Phillips said.
Having grown up in the Presbyterian Church and attended over 30 Assemblies, Duncan appreciates the business aspects of the General Assembly as much as the fellowship times the Assembly provides.
“I’m Interested in the issues that drive the PCA and want to be part of discussions to help the PCA be faithful to the Bible, true to the Reformed faith, and committed to the Great Commission,” he said. “I enjoy the process of doing Presbyterianism. I like listening and learning from the debate as much as I can, as well as doing my part in the discussion and debate.”
From the time of his father’s death in 1992 until 2011, Duncan ran his family’s printing business, which specialized in printing for nonprofits and Christian organizations. He also worked as a media consultant for several Christian organizations, including Ligonier Ministries in Sanford, Florida.
Duncan’s love for the PCA resembles his love for his family business.
“I didn’t realize it growing up, but the older I got, the more I saw the PCA as part of the family and the family business. There is a kind of family obligation and duty, but also family love of the PCA,” he said.
Phillips noted Duncan’s love for the PCA and how that love fuels Duncan’s goodwill toward pastors across the ideological spectrum.
“If you want an example of what a Christian gentleman looks like, look at Mel Duncan,” he said.
In 2011, he became the administrator for Second Presbyterian.
“I love the administration, the people, helping to do things so that pastors can concern themselves with the ordinary means of grace,” Duncan said.
A history buff and avid college sports fan, Duncan is on the leadership council for the Gospel Reformation Network. He has been married to Lynda for 25 years and has three children: Ford, Frances, and Mary Elizabeth.