PULPIT EXCHANGE AMONG THE
DENOMINATIONS
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
It seems oh so loving and gracious to have pulpit exchange among the conservative reformed denominations. Why should not a minister in a Dutch reformed denomination be allowed to speak in a Presbyterian pulpit, and vice versa? Is not a prohibition of such sheer separatism, sectarianism, and even ethnocentrism?
But here is why not. Any Presbyterian denomination that is faithfully upholding the Biblical standards outlined in the Westminster Standards bars from communion those who observe popish feast days like Christmas and Easter. Now one very important reason that such a Presbyterian denomination cannot unite with the Dutch reformed denominations is that they constitutionally observe popish feast days like Christmas and Easter, and ministers in their denominations not only observe such days, but even officiate in the services dedicated to such. Under such circumstances, it is sending a contradictory signal to allow such a Dutch reformed minister to be given a Presbyterian pulpit while barring communion from one’s own congregants who observe the popish feast days.
The truly loving thing for a Presbyterian denomination to do is to tell their Dutch reformed friends to repent of their error concerning the popish feast days, not to engage in pulpit exchange.