By Rachel Lee, Christianity Today.
Zion Presbyterian Church, a Korean church located in Sacramento, Calif., has recently decided to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA), even if leaving the denomination means losing the church property.
The church held a congregational vote to be dismissed from the PCUSA on August 30, which resulted in 100 out of 103 active congregants (97 percent) voting in favor of being dismissed, even if they are unable to keep the church property in doing so. The main sanctuary, the English ministry’s sanctuary, and five buildings are at stake, amounting to at least $3 million in property.
The property of every PCUSA church is “held in trust” by the PCUSA “for the use and benefit of the Presbyterian Church (USA),” according to the PCUSA’s bylaws, and the Sacramento Presbytery states that “property is held in trust because it is a tool for the accomplishment of the mission of the PCUSA.” As a result, churches that seek to leave the denomination must follow their respective presbyteries’ Gracious Dismissal Policies (GDP), which outlines the process the church must go through to be dismissed, and the presbytery’s requirements for the church to maintain its property after dismissal.
In the case of Zion Presbyterian Church, which is under the authority of the Sacramento Presbytery, the congregation has the option to either lease, purchase, or lease first and later purchase the church property from the presbytery, should the GDP process continue unto completion.
However, a portion of the Sacramento Presbytery’s GDP mentions the “schism” scenario, which was only defined as “a split within the Congregation or its session between a group that wishes to be dismissed from the PCUSA and a loyalist minority of whatever size.”
6 Comments. Leave new
If people want to leave – they can do that anytime. Everyone knows only a Presbytery can constitute OR dismiss a congregation with or without real property. This group is acting like a congregationalist church, maybe that is where they will find happiness.
“This group is acting like a congregationalist church”
Oh thats rich Pres-person that’s like the pot calling the kettle black after the GA.
No Pres-person, pcusa policy has been whatever the hell the louisville sluggers and liberal presbyteries change it too at any given time. Do you really think the people who read the Layman are that stupid? If it were not for courts ruling in favor of departing churches, you’re ilk would change the rules every ten minutes
In some presbyteries, the Korean churches have been a strong voice for conservative and Scriptural concerns. Now they are witnessing to the call from God they have about where to live out their faith. The PCUSA leaders should be weeping at loosing this voice in their presence and assembly.
They leave because the national leadership no longer heeds their message
from Scripture. This action of this church to leave their property to follow their call is a witness to us all! I call on you to pray for the many Korean churches and evangelical churches to hear God in these changing times.
I can’t imagine a more appropriate example of Corporate greed and violence than the use of the property ‘trust’ clause by the PCUSA. I imagine that if you redacted names and gave examples of some of this despicable behavior, and presented an overture to boycott said corporation, the GA would pass it.
PCUSA has taken the road to perdition. Their evil deeds are driving people away from Christianity. What more could be said of these disgusting so-called leaders.