PCUSA dismissals continue after tumultuous General Assembly
The Layman , August 10, 2012
The number of churches leaving the Presbyterian Church (USA) continues to increase and, following a General Assembly filled with controversy, the number seeking dismissal shows no sign of abating even as denominational membership continues to also decline.
Most departing congregations are claiming the PCUSA rejects the authority of Scripture. A steady stream of churches has departed for other Reformed denominations following the 2011 passage of Amendment 10A and the new Form of Government.
The amendment deleted the explicit “fidelity/chastity” requirement from the constitutional ordination standard, and now allows the PCUSA to ordain non-celibate gay people as deacons, elders and pastors.
Recently, The Layman learned that the following churches had joined this list:
On June 22, the Presbytery of Central Washington approved the dismissal of Terrace Heights Community Presbyterian Church of Yakima, Wash. to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) with all assets and property intact.
“While this was a painful process at times, we enter the EPC filled with joy that we no longer have to be distracted by the theological compromise of the PCUSA,” Pastor Edward M. Cummings said.
“We find ourselves joyfully challenged and committed to the task of reaching lost souls for Jesus and disciple them to be like Him,” he added.
At its July meeting, the Presbytery of Philadelphia agreed to dismiss Bethany Collegiate Presbyterian Church of Havertown, Penn. The church had voted in 2011 by a 90-percent margin – 175-4—to leave the PCUSA.
Pastor Jerry Iamurri said the church expected to officially be accepted into the EPC on either Sept. 28 or 29 and wished to thank all those who had prayed for the church. “Everything went very smoothly,” he added.
Also in Pennsylvania, Beaver-Butler Presbytery recently reported during its July meeting that Mount Pleasant Church of Aliquippa, Penn. had been dismissed to the EPC.
Trinity Presbytery approved the dismissal of Warrenton Presbyterian Church of Abbeville, S.C. during its June 5 meeting. The 171-member church has been in existence since 1884 – it will transfer to the EPC on Aug. 19.
First Presbyterian Church of Florence, S.C. is in the process of seeking dismissal from New Harmony Presbytery. The congregation approved seeking dismissal to ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians in late June by a 90-percent vote of 502-50.
Church leaders say the PCUSA has been for many years “embroiled with a creeping theological pluralism.”
In a report to the congregations, the session stated: “For many years the PCUSA has shown itself committed to unity only around the idea of theological diversity (i.e. disunity).”
“In so doing, it has subverted the Lordship of Jesus Christ and challenged our Reformed understanding of Scripture,” the session continued. “Allowing church leaders to openly engage in sinful conduct is neither loving nor kind and can only lead them to settle for passing gratification at the expense of eternal glory,” church leaders said, referring to the passage of Amendment 10A.
As a next step in the presbytery’s gracious dismissal process, a presbytery response team was scheduled to meet with FPC leaders on Aug. 9.