PRESBYTERIANS AND EPISCOPALIANS TAKE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO CONGREGATIONS THAT LEAVE THEIR DENOMINATIONS

BY SUE NOWICKI
McClatchy Newspapers
MODESTO, Calif.
February 7, 2009

The Episcopal Church isn't the only denomination facing a split between liberal and conservative interpretations of Scripture. The Presbyterian Church USA also has seen individual churches leave the national church.

There are similarities between the denominations: Both have had more than 100 churches leave the national churches, mainly over differences about the authority of Scripture and the ordination of gay clergy. Both national churches claim more than 2 million members.

But there are differences: For example, the First Presbyterian Church in Fresno, Calif., and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clovis, Calif., have asked to be reassigned to the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church, based in Livonia, Mich. The Episcopal Church, so far, is the only approved Anglican body with oversight in the United States.

And many of the Presbyterian churches have been allowed to leave "with grace" and their property, as opposed to the Episcopalian parishes and dioceses that have been sued across the country.

Why the difference? the rest