Two churches reach dismissal settlement with Beaver-Butler
By Jason P. Reagan, The Layman , April 24, 2012
A western Pennsylvania presbytery is losing two churches and may see more join an ever-increasing exodus of theologically conservative congregations who say they can no longer remain within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
During its March 27 meeting, Beaver-Butler Presbytery reported two churches had agreed to dismissal proposals and were leaving the presbytery to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).
Both churches agreed to pay lump-sum amounts in order to separate with their property intact.
Since 2008, Beaver-Butler has shrunk from 87 to 83 congregations and at least six other churches are contemplating a departure, according to presbytery records.
The disaffected churches say the PCUSA no longer recognizes the authority of Scripture and is embracing universalism. An increasing number of churches decided to depart after the 2011 passage of Amendment 10A.
The amendment deleted the explicit “fidelity/chastity” requirement from the constitutional ordination standard. The change allows the PCUSA to ordain as pastoral, deacon or elder candidates anyone who engages in any kind of sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman.
For presbyteries like Beaver-Butler, the departures may take a larger toll since the presbytery is more conservative than many of the other 173 governing bodies. The presbytery voted down Amendment 10A in 20011 by wide margin of 27-73.
In 2009, the presbytery adopted a resolution that stated: “We will not recognize ordinations that are constitutionally or Biblically unsustainable. We will closely examine each candidate seeking admission to our presbytery … We will support Biblical definitions of marriage in our society.”
Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church (Aliquippa)
Calling its journey a “climb out of the quicksand of denominational uncertainty,” the 157-member Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church said in a statement that the congregation was “overjoyed” with the recent dismissal agreement with Beaver-Butler.
Under the agreement approved by the congregation in January, Mt. Pleasant paid $58,500 to the presbytery – an amount representing 10 percent of the church’s appraised property value.
Despite the price tag, elder Craig Lahtinen stated on the church’s website that Mt. Pleasant would rejoice “to be established in a context where the clear foundation of God’s Word is valued and upheld.”
“We recognize the Bible to be a wonderful repository of Truth, a revelation of God’s character and nature [and] revelation of the plan of salvation which is centered on the person and work of the only Son of God, Jesus Christ,” Mt. Pleasant Senior Pastor Richard Herbster said in an earlier statement.
“We are convinced that God has blessed and will bless this step of obedience on our part to be faithful to His holy Word,” Lahtinen stated on the church’s blog, adding a verses from Psalm 40:2-3: “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the LORD.”
Four Mile Presbyterian Church (Beaver)
As with Mt. Pleasant, Beaver-Butler also came to an agreement with Four Mile Presbyterian Church that will include a payment of $74,100 to the presbytery – also representing 10 percent of the church’s appraised land value.
Although presbytery minutes show the agreement would dismiss Four Mile to the EPC, a statement by the 561-member church’s session states that it may also consider joining the recently formed ECO: a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.
“Your elders are researching each option, clarifying their theological positions, organizational structure [and] requirements for membership,” a church statement to the congregation read.
On Feb. 26, Four Mile’s congregation overwhelmingly voted to leave the PCUSA after meeting with Beaver-Butler’s Presbytery Resolution Team.
“It is a challenging time – but our God honors courageous faithfulness,” the session stated.
Church leaders say that, as the session goes through the process, it will examine five factors in choosing a new Reformed body:
- “A clear and unwavering commitment to Biblical truth and authority;
- “An evangelistic and missional focus;
- “A clear understanding of the local church as the primary mission agency;
- “Impact on our pastors and leaders and on us as a local church;
- “The local church has full ownership and rights over its property and buildings.”
Under presbytery bylaws, both churches will be dismissed officially as early as June 25.
More changes ahead for Beaver-Butler?
According to presbytery records, at least five churches may start the dismissal process but have decided to wait until July after the PCUSA’s 220th General Assembly in Pittsburgh. Several controversial overtures are expected to be presented at the GA, including attempts to redefine marriage.
Another Beaver-Butler church, Highland Presbyterian Church of Slippery Rock, has moved further along in the dismissal process and requested a meeting with a Presbytery Resolution Team.
According to the church’s website, the session conducted a congregational meeting to learn more about ECO in March.
“During the last year, the session has become more aware and more concerned that amendments passed by the PCUSA and the new Book of Order contain statements that are disloyal to the Scriptures and to God,” church leaders said.
In 2008, Beaver-Butler voted to dismiss Portersville Presbyterian Church to the EPC (at a cost of $42,300 from the church) after the 176-member congregation agreed to leave by a vote of 115-3.
In February 2010, First Presbyterian Church of Beaver agreed to a dismissal agreement with a settlement of $133,700 and, later that year, Chippewa United Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls also agreed to a dismissal agreement – both into the EPC.
A national trend
As more Presbyterian churches express opposition to more liberal changes of the PCUSA’s doctrine and structure, the number of churches seeking dismissals continues to grow every month.
On Sunday, Colorado’s largest Presbyterian Church voted overwhelmingly to leave the PCUSA for ECO. Around 95 percent of congregants present of First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs voted to depart by a vote of 1,689-80.
“This is a powerful day for our church … Days like this don’t happen by happenstance,” church leader Dick Shultz announced at the meeting.
In order to finalize the departure, FPC is agreeing to pay up to $700,000 over the next five years.
Next, the Presbytery of Pueblo must agree to the dismissal at its June meeting.
“Many of you will experience relief, joy and perhaps some excitement in knowing these results,” Senior Pastor Jim Singleton told the congregation in an online statement.
“No matter the decision that has been made, it is Jesus, our rock and salvation, in whom we place our trust and our life,” he added. Singleton has been one of the driving forces behind the creation of ECO.
“It just seemed like First Pres will fit better in s
omething new and more entrepreneurial, rather than enter a denomination with its culture intact,” Singleton stated in an earlier release.