Editor’s Note: See accompanying story about reactions of the PCUSA Heartland Presbytery bit.ly/cLEAo3

Colonial Presbyterian Church continued its exodus from the Presbyterian Church (USA) Monday and was received into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church’s New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery.

On the same day, the clergy officially cut ties to the PCUSA and Heartland Presbytery. The Revs. James West, Robert Lehleitner and Mary Brown faxed notification on Monday to Heartland Presbytery that all three pastors had renounced the jurisdiction of the PCUSA. Renouncing jurisdiction protects the ministers from any ecclesiastical retaliation, for which Heartland has a documented history.

On Aug. 22, the 1,700 member, dual-campus congregation located near Kansas City voted to leave the PCUSA and join the EPC due to disagreements over theology and standards.

The church previously had sought an open discernment process with participation by Heartland Presbytery. As it became clear that an overwhelming majority of Colonial’s membership was ready to leave, the presbytery authorized its standing administrative commission to act. (See earlier story at: http://bit.ly/b9HhWp)

With the authority to dissolve the church’s session and take possession of Colonial’s property and assets, the administrative commission warned the congregation that a meeting to consider a departure was not allowed and an injunction in ecclesiastical court against such a meeting was granted.

Anticipating retaliatory action, Colonial sought protection in the secular courts and went forward with its meeting. Approximately 97 percent of present members favored leaving the PCUSA and joining the EPC. More than half of the congregation’s membership participated in the Aug. 22 vote.