The 1,759 to 185 vote exceeded the two-thirds majority needed to seek dismissal from the PC (USA). The 3,600-member First Presbyterian is the largest Presbyterian church in Florida and fourth largest in the nation.
“Change is never easy,” said Senior Pastor David Swanson, “but I believe our congregation has prayerfully discerned God’s leading for us, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for First Presbyterian Church as she embarks on this new phase of ministry and service for his sake.”
First Presbyterian has been losing membership in recent years and blamed some of that on PC (USA) doctrines that permitted the ordination of gay deacons, elders and clergy. Some also blamed the decline on doctrines that quest questioned the Bible as the literal word of God and Jesus Christ as the only salvation.
[blockquote] “First Presbyterian has been losing membership in recent years and blamed some of that on PC (USA) doctrines that permitted the ordination of gay deacons, elders and clergy. Some also blamed the decline on doctrines that quest questioned the Bible as the literal word of God and Jesus Christ as the only salvation.” [/blockquote]
Yep, those are guaranteed ways to shrink your denomination.
[blockquote] “What we are experiencing feels to me very much like a very painful divorce,” said Lynne Long, a church elder. “One side had decided to leave. There will be no hearing of the other side, no counseling, no reconciliation attempts, nothing — just, ‘I’m leaving and I’m taking the children and our home with me.’ ” [/blockquote]
Just as Moses did.
Really, all this hand-wringing. There is one way to avoid losing congregations and dioceses – reject liberal teaching. It would work for TEC if it tried it and it will work for PCA. The liberals contribute nothing except decline – by all means love them as people, but do not feel any obligation to accept their teaching if you want to be a vibrant and growing church.
I know how Ms. Long must feel. I personally remain grateful for the counseling and reconciliation attempts I got from TEC.
David: bullseye!!!!!!
Ms. Long acts like this decision was completely out of the blue. Or is she conveniently ignoring the 40+ years of creeping (now galloping) revisionism in the PCUSA and the former UPC? And, as in TEC, the unwillingness of revisionists to seriously consider any reasoned opposition or questioning of their agenda?
The same story is being played out in my neck of the NW woods. At least three large PCUSA congregations (with over 2000 souls combined) are at various stages of heading for the door. For all of them, the recent decision of their national church to abandon traditional sexual mores for clergy and lay leaders was merely the straw that broke the camel’s back.