AP is the National Journal of the Presbyterian Church of Australia (PCA). As such, it reflects the confessional stance of the PCA – we believe that God is triune as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Persons in the one Godhead. We also believe that the Bible is the inerrant and inspired Word of God that points us to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour. Salvation comes through the free grace and mercy of God revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection. We take seriously the gospel message and we seek to represent faithfully the Westminster Confessional standards of the PCA. Our desire is to help Australian and international Christians view the world from a Reformed, confessional perspective and thus our emphasis is on practical theology – helping people live a reformed life.

The name of the magazine changed from Australian Presbyterian to AP in January 2012, with a simultaneous updating of its appearance, to make more obvious its relevance to the broader evangelical, reformed community throughout Australasia while very much retaining its doctrinal stance. As a result, its ministry greatly expanded.

At the end of 2018, AP announced it would no longer produce printed magazines. Instead, it launched this new, fresh website in January 2019. The aim is to provide a content-rich AP that reaches into the public square, presenting and promoting contemporary material that is spiritually profitable to all who read it.

Committee Membership

The Editor of AP is the Rev Dr Peter Barnes. He is assisted by the National Journal Committee (NJC) of the PCA. The current members of the NJC are: Rev. Mark Powell (Convener), Mr Walter Bruining (Secretary), Rev Stuart Bonnington, Rev Andrew Clarke, Rt Rev David Cook, Rev Peter Hastie, Rev Guido Kettniss, Mr Neville Taylor and Mr Barney Zwartz (as well as the Office-Bearers of the PCA who are ex-officio members). The Yearbook Editor (responsible for The Key Yearbook) is Mr Mike Timmins. The members of the NJC are appointed by the General Assembly of the PCA.

Editorial Policy and Stylistic Guidelines for Contributors

We encourage articles on a variety of subjects – theology, practice, piety, current concerns, human interest and book reviews. While we are interested in material from other websites or journals, we favour using our own.

  1. Articles can be from 400 to 1200 words. If your article is longer, break it into two or three parts.
  2. The theology and ethics expressed are to be within the framework of a confessional Reformed stance.
  3. Normally we dispense with footnotes, but if you think one is needed, incorporate it into the main body of the article.
  4. There is no set version of Scripture which is prescribed.
  5. Send the editor an email on editor@ap.org.au if you have an issue or idea.
  6. So, as was said to Edward Gibbon, be encouraged and ‘scribble, scribble, scribble’.

— Peter Barnes, Editor

Contact the EditorContact the ConvenerContact the Yearbook Editor