More splintering in the PCUSA:
The Episcopal Church isn't the only mainline Protestant group shaken by open conflict between theological liberals and conservatives.(via)
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is facing similar trials, with traditionalist congregations planning to bolt and a conservative denomination preparing to take them in.
About 30 of the almost 11,000 Presbyterian congregations have voted to leave the national church since the denomination's national assembly session in 2006, according to the Layman, a conservative Presbyterian publication that has been tracking the breakaways. Denominational leaders say they could lose an additional 20 congregations as a result of the latest rupture.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, a conservative group separate from the Presbyterian Church (USA), has voted to accept any of the departing congregations. Presbyterian conservatives are meanwhile organizing themselves through groups such as the Presbyterian Global Fellowship and the New Wineskins Association of Churches.
[...]
Like other mainline Protestant groups, Presbyterians have been debating for decades how they should interpret scripture on salvation, truth, sexuality and other issues.
But tensions erupted after a June 2006 meeting, when delegates granted new leeway in some cases for congregations and regional presbyteries to sidestep a church requirement that clergy and lay officers limit sex to man-woman marriage.
Delegates at the national assembly also voted to let church officials propose experimental liturgies with alternative phrasings for the divine Trinity -- "Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Among the possibilities: "Mother, Child and Womb" or "Rock, Redeemer, Friend."
I guess they determined that they couldn't stop the spread of apostasy so they had to separate and if enough of them leave, they might be able to keep their property.
