Presbyterians-conservatives in the PCUSA

[rmwilliamsll]

I have always been a member of conservative Presbyterian churches.
However most Presbyterians in the US are PCUSA and if i understand the polls about 30-40% are conservative. I get lots of questions from people online about the conservatives still within the PCUSA and i am trying to write up a list of links to send them.

i have the confessing church at: http://www.confessingchurch.homestead.com/index.html

and a website by someone who was in the PCUSA at:
http://pcnog.com/index.htm

does anyone have a FAQ or short introductory essay on the topic?
or other good links? the question comes up alot.
thanks

 

[Donny_B]

I am a conservative member of the PCUSA, so thanks for the links.

Every time a conservative member leaves, the rest of the body gets more liberal, so I guess that's an incentive in itself for us conservatives to stay

 

[Bulldog]

It seems to me like most of the conservative PCUSA congregations are in small rural towns and/or in the south, but thta's to be expected.

 

[Grace_Alone4gives]

Well, I guess you could call me a conservative in the RCA (Reformed Church of America). Although not as liberal as the PCUSA become, we are becoming close. We now have an 'open communion' with PCUSA. However, to make it worse, we now have open communion, along with PCUSA with the United Church of Christ, which is far too liberal for my liking - and I am sure it is for you conservative PCUSA. The RCA Canadian Synod (I am in Canada) has thought of leaving the RCA because of this, but are sticking it out.
But so everyone knows - even though the RCA, is getting liberal - there are conservatives among us - just like PCUSA.

BTW - what do you PCUSA think about the UCC?

 

[Knight]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the PCA grow out of the PCUSA due to the liberal leanings of the leadership?

There is also the EPC (Evangelical Presybterian Church) which a friend of ours attends. It seems to be very conservative. Similar to the PCA.

 

[Donny_B]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the PCA grow out of the PCUSA due to the liberal leanings of the leadership?

There is also the EPC (Evangelical Presybterian Church) which a friend of ours attends. It seems to be very conservative. Similar to the PCA.

During the Civil War, the Presbyterians split and the northern church became the UPCUSA and the southern church the PCCS, which became the PCUS after the Civil War. These two main branches did not re-unite until 1983.

The PCA was a conservative movement that came out of the southern church and the EPC was a conservative movement that came out of the northern church. So, the PCA and EPC are very similar, but born in different parts of the country.

One of the big issues in 1973 when the PCA was formed was ordination of women elders and deacons. Meanwhile, in American politics, women's liberation and the Equal Rights Amendment were on the forefront. Also, in 1972 was the controversial Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision and there were many liberals in the church leadership who backed it.

So, as there are decisive politics involved on a national scale and since the Presbyterian system mirrors the thoughts of its members and the nation, there are bound to be splits...in 1861 it was slavery and state's rights, in 1973 women's issues and other issues.

Perhaps, this is one of the weaknesses of the system, where a majority can make policy decisions based on society's political whims of the day, even when they are in contradiction of the Bible and tradition. The only solution at times for the minority seems to be to break away. Or is it better for the minority to stay in and try to change the majority (and become the majority)?

Here is an interesting article of a PCUSA church who recently joined the PCA:
http://www.layman.org/layman/news/2004-news/charleston-miss-church-leaves-pcusa.htm

and I certainly can sypathize with them..

 

[Knight]

Very interesting. Thanks.

 

[Elderone]

Unfortunately the PCA is now slowly starting to move to the liberal side. Some PCA churches left and have become affiliated with Reformed presbyteries. The father of the pastor at our former church, The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Virginia, was one of the founders of the PCA. It would sadden him considerably if he were alive to see what was happening.

We moved from Virginia leaving what I believe was an extremely well grounded Bible teaching/believing church, the one mentioned above. We are now in PA and had a hard time finding a good church. But through prayer and help from our former pastor one was found, and lo and behold it is a PCA. It is in a small rural town, by the way.

The pastor of this PCA is from a GOOD seminary, has been preaching for 30 or more years and originally started out in the PCUSA, but left them because of their drifting left. With God's help, this PCA congregation will stay conservative.

As to the question of a conservative staying in a liberal congregation. If the officers of the congregation and/or of the head office are liberal the individual members have little chance of affecting much, if any, change.

 

[rmwilliamsll]

it is nice that this thread got bumped back up.
i am working through G.North's Crossed Fingers this week and the liberal conservative split is prominently on my mind.