[The Rev. Tom] Pfizenmaier says much of the tension can be attributed to the denomination’s evolving views on the role of Jesus and Scripture.
“For us salvation is found in Christ, and in the progressive side, it’s kinda, well, no, you can find salvation in a lot of different places, a lot of different ways,” Pfizenmaier said. “It’s fine to have that opinion, but it isn’t the historical Christian position.”
The Presbyterian Lay Committee promotes conservative positions in the denomination. Its president, Carmen Fowler LaBerge, says clashes about sexuality, such as disagreements about whether to allow same-sex marriage, expose a growing divide over fundamental aspects of the faith. Drifting from the position that the Bible is the only authoritative word of God and that Jesus is the only way to salvation feels like a betrayal to some.