The PC(USA) is relying on the presence of a trust clause in the congregation’s charter. However, the Church argues that such laws are not recognized under Texas law. Furthermore, the Congregation is relying on the recent Texas Court rulings that determined Congregations may split from their denominations if their incorporation by-laws allow them to do... Continue Reading

The two decisions establish “neutral principles of law” as the governing approach to church property disputes in Texas courts. (The Texas Supreme Court had last addressed the issue in 1909, seven decades before the U.S. Supreme Court authorized “neutral principles” in 1979. And under that approach, as we have seen happen time and again more... Continue Reading

“There was kind of this collective decision to forget,” Hankins said. “The question is, ‘What is our responsibility for the past?’ Sure it happened a long time ago, before we were here, but it was still hurtful and sinful. It was clearly wrong and needed to be put right.”… As they strategized over how to... Continue Reading

Tadashi Agari, an elder commissioner in the presbytery, wrote in an email to The Layman that the sessions for each of the six churches cited no issues with the presbytery or Synod of the Pacific, and often expressed appreciation for the presbytery’s policies, ministries and fellowship. The frustration came from the GA and changes to the Book of... Continue Reading

Confessionalism is at odds with the market. Historically, Presbyterians have sought to be faithful to our ecclesiology and what we believe the Scriptures teach. That is one reason our churches are not as adaptive to the market as our Evangelical friends. We would never think of having a communion service on Thursdays like some megachurches... Continue Reading

….it is no longer clear that the denomination can exist in any form resembling the PC (USA) we have known till now. In fact, it is likely that tomorrow’s PC (USA) will be a fraction of its present size. Its financial resources will be stretched the breaking point. Young clergy will suffer as the Board... Continue Reading

Two former students of mine, Steve Casselli and Dustyn Eudaly, have this week led their kirk session in a controversial but necessary stand relative to the use of their church building by the Boy Scouts of America.   They will no doubt be lamented as bigots; for me, the truly lamentable aspects of this are... Continue Reading

The church cannot abandon its core beliefs. But the Episcopal Church has already done that. Where’s the new news there? The Episcopal Church has abandoned core doctrine over salvation, Jesus himself (Jefferts Schori called him “our mother Jesus”), and says the resurrection of Jesus is spiritual, not actual and physical. How much more blasphemy does... Continue Reading

“We wanted to be part of a denomination led by Scripture, Reformed in its doctrine and Presbyterian in polity. With the changes that have occurred in the (national) church, we don’t think the PCUSA is any longer any of those three,” said Horner, adding that the new Form of Government (nFOG) touts universalism that is... Continue Reading

Jeremiah’s letter goes on to address the widely disparate experiences of congregations seeking to realign from PCUSA presbyteries to the EPC. He notes that although some presbyteries take the action of the 2008 General Assembly calling for gracious dismissal seriously, many presbyteries make denominational realignment almost impossible. Jeremiah notes that the route of disaffiliation is... Continue Reading