Anderson, who is openly gay and involved in a long-term relationship with another man, now will have to hold off on his ordination ceremony as the legal challenge plays out.

Two high-profile remedial cases in the Presbyterian Church (USA) judicial system are being joined by additional congregations that object to ordination violations.

San Francisco complaint
The original complaint against San Francisco Presbytery, alleging an errant vote on November 10, 2000 to ordain lesbian candidate for ministry Lisa Larges included seven PCUSA elders. Soon after filing, the session of Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, along with the San Joaquin and Walnut Creek presbyteries joined the case. The complaint says that because Larges refuses to comply with mandatory ordination standards, she is ineligible for ordination.

Three additional congregations have added support for the remedial complaint in recent weeks. According to complainant Bruce McIntosh, the sessions of Centerpointe Presbyterian Church in Pleasanton, Calif., and Covenant Presbyterian in Boise, Idaho, have joined the case. Mary Naegeli, legal counsel for the complainants, said that the session of Contra Costa Korean Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, Calif., also has joined.

The “self-avowed and unrepentant lesbian,” as she is referred to in court documents, has been seeking ordination in the PCUSA for two decades. The latest ordination attempt was approved by San Francisco 156-138. The case is expected to go before the Synod of the Pacific’s Permanent Judicial Commission later this year.