PCA or PC(USA) ?

[akolouthein]

Can anyone tell me the differences between the Presbyterian Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) please? Thinking of checking out a presbyterian service this Sunday and not sure where to start. Thanks!

 

[reformedfan]

PCUSA mostly is horrifyingly liberal, girl pastorettes, homosexual marriages, they read the paper & see what's hot & trendy & rush out to duplicate it.

PCAs, some are like that, some are more conservative.

there's some complex, advanced theology fer ya

 

[akolouthein]

LOL ooook. What's your recommendation then? I'm assuming something in the "other" catagory

 

[reformedfan]

a conservative PCA. A conservative PCUSA. A conservative reformed church.

if it's a town so small you have your choice between a Catholic, jehovah witness & a united methodist church, go with a bigger town.

 

[HiredGoon]

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church

 

[akolouthein]

Its not a small town really thank goodness. I have 2 PCA churches and 4 PCUSA churches to choose from. I'm assuming I would have to speak with the pastor personally to help determine if the church is conservative or not. What issues will determine this label? Homosexuality issues and ?

 

[akolouthein]

Not to sound lazy but I'm in the middle of being swamped with homework. Does anyone have a website or would care to post major differences between the various Presbyterian churches in America?

 

[HiredGoon]

Its not a small town really thank goodness. I have 2 PCA churches and 4 PCUSA churches to choose from. I'm assuming I would have to speak with the pastor personally to help determine if the church is conservative or not. What issues will determine this label? Homosexuality issues and ?

A liberal Presbyterian church will ordain females, allow for the denial of the virgin birth, the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, of Christ's substitutionary atonement, etc.

 

[akolouthein]

A liberal Presbyterian church will ordain females, allow for the denial of the virgin birth, the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, of Christ's substitutionary atonement, etc.

Are not some of those issues instituted by the PCA or PCUSA as a whole? is it a local option on all of those?

 

[HiredGoon]

The ordaining of females has been instituted by the PC(USA) as a whole. The ordaining of homosexuals is not allowed, but some congregations are defiant. During the 1920s, the UPC in the North which would later merge with the PCUS in the South to form the PC(USA), allowed elders to deny the virgin birth, the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, of Christ's substitutionary atonement, etc. That was when many conservative Presbyterians left and formed the OPC in the North. In the South, the PCUS succumbed to theological liberal influences in the 1970s, and that was when many conservatives left to form the PCA. Today the PCA and OPC are no longer confined to the South or North, and are very similar doctrinally as they do not allow the ordination of females or homosexuals, and actually hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith as their doctrinal standards. Other theologically conservative Presbyterian denominations include the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

 

[StAnselm]

if it's a town so small you have your choice between a Catholic, jehovah witness & a united methodist church, go with a bigger town.

My parents once moved clear across the country just to go to church.

I'd definitely recommend the PCA, akolouthein.

From what I gather, liberal PCA is probably better than conservative PCUSA anyway...

 

[akolouthein]

Hmm yea the PCA sounds like a better choice. Although, I dont have a problem with the ordination of women personally. Id rather visit with a church that does not allow this then go to one that does and a number of other things I just cannot agree with. Thanks to all who have resonded , it helps alot