The threat of
churches departing from the Presbyterian Church (USA) has
become so serious that leaders have issued a letter asking
them to stay.
The Presbyterian
Church, like other mainline Protestant groups, has been
struggling for years to reconcile members who disagree over
how to interpret Scripture. At least eight churches
have left since a Presbyterian General Assembly last
summer, which voted to give leeway to install
partnered gay clergy and allowed church officials to propose
experimental phrasings for the divine Trinity in place of
"Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
The Reverend
Clifton Kirkpatrick, a denominational leader, wrote in the
January 29 letter that ''there's no question that the vast
majority of Presbyterian churches are going to stay,''
adding, however, ''I think any exodus is too
many.''
''Any church's
departure is difficult and painful for the congregations
involved and the wider church,'' Kirkpatrick wrote.
''Fractures within the body of Christ diminish our
witness of God's grace and mercy to the
world--unfortunate in these already divisive times.
And, the [denomination] will miss the gifts and
perspectives of these brothers and sisters in
Christ.''
The New Wineskins
Association of Churches, which represents Presbyterian
traditionalists, is developing a breakaway strategy.
Departing congregations could join the Evangelical
Presbyterian Church, a theologically conservative
group independent of the Louisville, Ky.-based
denomination.
''In over 300
years of American Presbyterian history, we have never
agreed 100% on any issue of the day. But in the end we are
better together in Christ's unity,'' Kirkpatrick
wrote. (AP)
