A Southwestern Pennsylvania church is seeking dismissal from the Presbyterian Church (USA), bringing the total dismissals from its governing presbytery to four in as many years.

Citing a growing theological rift with the PCUSA, Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church of Raccoon Township, Pa. voted unanimously on April 10 to seek dismissal to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).

The 134-0 vote begins an emancipation process between the 134-year-old church and the Beaver-Butler Presbytery that Mt. Pleasant leaders expect will end amicably.

“Mt. Pleasant has struggled for years with the huge differences between our belief in the ultimate authority of Scripture and the actions of the PCUSA,” Mt. Pleasant clerk of session Bill Kendall said in an e-mail.

“We find that we can no longer tolerate the actions of the PCUSA, and also are concerned that the impending removal of the fidelity and chastity clause from the Book of Order, which could trigger a mass exodus,” he added, referring to upcoming PCUSA ballot measures on Amendment 10A, nFOG and the BelharConfession.

“The New Form of Government … may cause the PCUSA to become even more restrictive with congregations seeking dismissal,” Kendall said.

According to some church members, the rift between the church and the PCUSA began a few years ago when the denomination began to make statements the congregation felt were not in keeping with Mt. Pleasant’s pro-life stance.

At that point, leadership advised the church to “stick it out and fight the good fight,” Kendall said.

In response, Mt. Pleasant held back some of its per-capita funds from the PCUSA and directed them to a pro-life organization.

Kendall said many of his friends would have liked to visit or join Mt. Pleasant but would not due to the church’s affiliation with the PCUSA.

In 2010, a majority of the congregation became upset when they heard on conservative talk radio programs about controversial overtures being presented at the PCUSA General Assembly, especially measures concerning same-sex marriage and ordination of gay people.

“That, I think, was kind of the tipping point,” Kendall said.

“A couple of our members heard these things and they wanted to talk to the preachers and talk to the elders,” he added.

Although some incensed members wanted to leave the PCUSA immediately, the church’s elders and session agreed to meet with the congregation to gauge a proper response; ultimately deciding to hold the April 10 dismissal vote.

Mt. Pleasant now begins the process of dismissal with Beaver-Butler and is working with a presbytery response team to address separation issues such as property disposal. The presbytery currently has 83 member congregations.

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