Mass exodus of churches continue to flee PCUSA into 2012

By Jason P. Reagan, The Layman , Posted Thursday, January 26, 2012

After a 2011 that saw many disaffected congregations flee the Presbyterian Church (USA) due to theological conflicts, 2012 may unfold into an ever-widening exodus, as more churches seek dismissal and join other denominations.  Many departing churches have cited the 2011 approval of Amendment 10A and the passage of the new Form of Government (nFOG) as symptoms of a more serious underlying problem in the denomination: variant views of the authority of Scripture.

Amendment 10A deleted the explicit “fidelity/chastity” requirement from the constitutional ordination standard, and now allows the PCUSA to ordain of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people as deacons, elders and pastors. The new Form of Government has raised concerns of a more “top-down” PCUSA bureaucracy and a universalistic theology.  The following is a review of PCUSA churches (or former ones) that have either been approved for dismissal, are in the process of leaving or are considering departure.

East Main Presbyterian Church, Grove City, Pa.

Proclaiming that the passage of 10A was “the last straw,” East Main Presbyterian Church of Grove City, Pa., informed Shenango Presbytery in January that the session had unanimously decided to “explore withdrawal from our PCUSA” – a step that initiates the presbytery’s dismissal policy.
The six-step process will include the formation of a dismissal consultation team by the presbytery and would culminate in a congregational vote on the question “Shall the [East Main] Presbyterian Church request dismissal to (the Reformed body of choice)?” -- followed by a later presbytery vote. The dismissal policy makes no mention of how property issues may be resolved.

“We have always found solace in the idea that, as long as our local church and presbytery remain true to the Scriptures, then East Main Presbyterian Church (EMPC) is insulated from the decisions of the denomination and its theological direction. However, General Assembly's adoption of a recent change in ordination standards has, for some, become the last straw,” the session informed the congregation in a recent document.

The 670-member church began the process of deliberation in May 2011, shortly after the passage of Amendment 10A. At that time, the session reaffirmed its “long-standing policy that tithes and offerings will not, unless otherwise directed by those who give them, go to support the institutional structure of the General Assembly of the [PCUSA].”

The session further stated in May that “it is becoming clearer to us that, given the history and ethos of East Main, at some point we will need to decide either to remain in the PCUSA but in some form of explicit protest against policies with which we deeply disagree, or find a denominational home with others with whom we are in more fundamental alignment.”

Shenango, in turn, passed a resolution in June 2011 stating “that the [PCUSA]'s removal of the constitutional standard of fidelity and chastity for its ordained leaders represents a departure from the global church's historic commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Holy Scriptures.” The presbytery resolved to “seek to build and strengthen relationships with others within the PCUSA who are also opposed to the [2011] passage of Amendment 10A.”

Fairview Presbyterian Church, Glenmoore, Pa.

Adding its name to a growing number of disaffected churches in Pennsylvania, the 240-member Fairview Presbyterian Church of Glenmoore, Pa. initiated the discernment process with the Presbytery of Donegal in January.  In December, the church’s session decided to seek discernment with a multi-part plan.  First, the church appointed a four-person team to meet with Donegal representatives to launch the discernment process.

Second, Fairview appointed a separate team to initiate discussions with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), concerning possible membership with the denomination. The EPC has become a popular landing site for many departing churches.
In October 2011, the session informed the congregation that it would conduct town-hall meetings to receive more input from members.

“Staying within the PCUSA is not a viable option,” Pastor Mark Atkinson told congregants in a recent newsletter. “The PCUSA logo that is on our sign out front is not an accurate reflection any longer of what will be found upon entering the doorway of Fairview Presbyterian Church.”
“The erosion of adherence to Biblical authority, the conflicted witness concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, the lack of conviction concerning the essential tenets of our faith, and the diversion of our energies away from our missional purpose to contend with the endless controversies have produced a ‘tipping point,’” Atkinson added.  According to minutes from a November meeting, Donegal Presbytery’s Council voted to place a moratorium on any new requests for discernment teams until March 1.

First Presbyterian Church of Waukegan (Ill.)

In December, First Presbyterian Church of Waukegan, Ill. (FPCW) agreed by a 90-percent vote to seek membership in the EPC. “While parting with relationships and colleagues is hard, we are excited about the prospect of joining in fellowship with like-minded believers who share our commitments to a high view of Scripture and to Jesus as the world’s only Lord and Savior,” Pastor David Eikenberry said.
“God has been good to us as we begin this process,” he added.

“Our congregation has always upheld the authority of the Old and New Testaments as the only standard for faith and obedience,” a notice on the church’s website states. The church has about 170 members.
The Presbytery of Chicago will meet on Feb. 18 and is expected to appoint a discernment team to discuss the process. Eikenberry said that this was the first time a church in the presbytery had sought such a dismissal. Since the presbytery has no official dismissal policy in place, he said the process is a learning experience for everyone.

Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square (Pa.)

The Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square – a 130-member church in southeast Pennsylvania – voted 45-10 in November to seek dismissal from the Presbytery of Donegal to the EPC.  A discernment team met with the session three times in 2011 and officials at Kennett Square said that the presbytery had been cooperative. The session agreed to pay three year of per-capita and will retain its property.  According to presbytery minutes, the discernment team was scheduled to meet with Kennett Square representatives on Jan. 23.

Knox United Presbyterian Church (Kenmore, N.Y.)

A 226-member church, Knox United Presbyterian Church in western New York was scheduled to vote on the question of dismissal in a recent congregational meeting.  In July, Knox Pastor Mark Haberman wrote a letter to PCUSA General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons stating that the session would “review and reassess [the] church’s relationship with the PCUSA in order to mains this church’s mission and purpose with integrity.”

The letter also states that, in adopting nFOG, the PCUSA had fundamentally changed “both the theology and polity of the denomination in a manner which is contrary to the beliefs and tenets held and followed by this congregation.”  The church earlier released a letter stating: “According to the Bible, marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and woman. Same sex marriage is a perversion of this institution and an offense to God. As Christians we do not condone or ignore sin. We share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available to all, without qualification, through Jesus.”  The church scheduled a congregational meeting on Jan. 22 to decide whether or not to request dismissal from the PCUSA to the EPC. The church is located within the Presbytery of Western New York.

United Presbyterian Church of Manoa (Pa.)

On Jan. 24, the Presbytery of Philadelphia voted to dismiss the United Presbyterian Church of Manoa of Havertown, Pa. to the EPC.   According to church officials, Philadelphia will retain ownership of all real property and buildings while Manoa will keep all non-real property. The church will be allowed to stay in the building under a one-year lease for $21,000. Under the settlement, Manoa – a 255-member church -- must also pay maintenance expenses.  At least one person attending the presbytery meeting pointed at that many other churches that have gone through similar dismissals were allowed to keep their property.  Another observer noted that, although the administrative commission called the agreement a “win-win,” “a careful reading of the report and analysis of what has transpired the past three years can only question what the ‘win’ part is for Manoa … the real point is that presbytery held all the cards from the beginning.”

Shiloh Presbyterian Church (St. Marys, Pa.)

Kiskiminetas Presbytery approved the dismissal of Shiloh Presbyterian Church, a 144-year old congregation in St. Marys, Pa., to the EPC on Dec. 31. The presbytery established an administrative commission in August 2011 after Shiloh – citing disagreements regarding the authority of Scripture --- requested dismissal.  In the final agreement, Shiloh retained its property and agreed to pay Kiskiminetas $36,000 in missions support.  Shiloh Pastor Scott Wiest said the presbytery acted very graciously throughout the process and that there are other churches within Kiskiminetas struggling with similar disagreements over Biblical authority.

Note: All membership statistics are as of 2010 and obtained from PCUSA Research Services.

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