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Presbyterian congregations not locked in to one group
Staff Writer
chriscam@observer-reporter.com
WAYNESBURG - Presbyterian congregations at odds with the denomination now have an option.
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In June, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church created a nongeographical presbytery, poising itself to welcome conservative Presbyterian churches unhappy with what they see as increasing liberalism in the Presbyterian Church USA. The EPC split from PCUSA in 1981.
Announcement of the EPC's new transitioning structure was made by the Rev. Parker Williamson, of Lenoir, N.C., who delivered a "state of the church" report Saturday. Williamson is former editor of The Layman, a publication of the PLC. Today, he serves as its senior correspondent.
Liberals in PCUSA have been unsuccessful in changing its constitution to permit the ordination of homosexuals. Instead, a Peace Unity and Purity report was approved, keeping ordination standards intact but permitting governing bodies the right to declare them nonessential. When the Sacramento Presbytery resolved not to consider anyone for ordination who did not conform to fidelity and chastity requirements, the stated clerk declared them in violation of the PUP report.
"We are in constitutional chaos," Williamson said.
With the creation of the EPC's nongeographical presbytery, churches in the denomination have announced plans to leave PCUSA, including Memorial Park Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. Williamson said on June 24, six other Presbyterian churches also made that decision.
Matters of church property and whether or not a pastor will keep his pension either remain unresolved or have headed to court.
Kerry Fraas of Pittsburgh spoke about the New Wineskins Association that was created to cross denominational lines. Congregations in the Episcopal and United Methodist denominations also have had disputes over the ordination of homosexuals. The NWA has developed a constitution that calls for the sanctity of life and the holy state of matrimony between a man and a woman.
The association has told churches there are two faithful options: to stay and fight within the denomination or to seek realignment with another.
Williamson said those who choose to stay should take legal measures to protect their property and also consider cutting off per capita and mission giving.
"I don't have faith in the future of the PCUSA," he said. "I have a whole lot of faith in what the Lord Jesus Christ is going to do with Presbyterians."
Williamson assured those in attendance that there will be a reformation when the laity - not the clergy - begin to passionately share the gospel and bring it back into fidelity with the Scriptures.
The PLC was established in the 1960s when a group of leaders objected to a change in the 1967 Confession. That change was that Scripture, while given under guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the words of men, not the word of God.
"Once you declare Scripture is a product of culture and not the word of God, you can put it on a shelf, next to Shakespeare. You can revere it and admire it, but you don't have to obey it," Williamson said.
Williamson received an honorary doctorate from Waynesburg College in 1997. The PLC's conference was held for many years at Grove City College. This is the first time it was held at Waynesburg. About 120 people attended.
