Presbyterian leaders in Pittsburgh reeling from latest exodus from denomination

Post Gazette ^ | 7 Dec 2012 | Ann Rodgers

[Cronos]

Members of Pittsburgh Presbytery expressed grief and frustration with three churches that recently voted to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) without going through the constitutional process for doing so, while the church's national moderator, who coincidentally was at their regular meeting Thursday, said he had offered to meet with leaders of those churches and two others that are pursuing the formal process for leaving.

Representatives from only one of the five, later identified as Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Oakland, agreed to meet with the Rev. Neal Presa. About 140 churches are in the countywide presbytery.

Recently, Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church, Round Hill Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth Township and the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown voted to secede without going through nine to 18 months of discussions with presbytery officials or negotiations over property. They joined the more theologically conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

At least 200 other churches have similarly left the 1.9 million-member Presbyterian Church (USA) since 2007. The most prominent issue was acceptance of local option on gay ordination, but those departing say that changing sexual standards reflect a broader disregard for the biblical authority. Defenders of the changes compare them to earlier reinterpretations of scripture involving women's ordination, divorce and slavery.

Rev. Sorge said he didn't believe that most members of the departing congregations understood that they were voting to violate the church constitution. He is sending letters to explain why the presbytery still maintains jurisdiction and will be sending a commission to work toward an acceptable departure under church law.

"Our effort is not to try to stop them from leaving the PCUSA but to do it in a way that is in conformity with our constitution. We aren't trying to blockade anybody," he said.

[inthaihill]

Actually, I do not advocate anything, just trying to understand for myself concerning the concept of women in the ministry. I used to hold to the traditional concept of males only but . . . well, I would have no trouble attending a service where women preach and hold positions of authority.

I have come a long way since my ordination one hundred years or so ago :-)

[HarleyD]

I noticed that you stated:

Junia in Romans is called an apostle by Paul and she was most definitely female.

In actuality she/he isn't called an apostle. Paul states that she/he is WELL-KNOWN (or of note) to the apostles.

Rom_16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

This, of course, implies that they were not apostles.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thanks very much for these resources! I will check them out — and also google the authors to find what else they might have online. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.

[JCBreckenridge]

The actual text is best rendered as “sodomite” and “catamite”, “pitchers and catchers”.

[inthaihill]

Can’t one say that about anyone who dare disagree with one’s own “judgement?” I did not say I was right, I simply shared that which I have learned over a lifetime of research, pray and human understanding. If you think that is not good enough for you to make a decision, well, you have the right to base your opinions on whatever you choose. No argument from me.