While other PCUSA presbyteries, and former member congregations, are fighting in civil court over property rights, San Joaquin has pledged a different approach.

First Presbyterian Church of Bakersfield, Calif., is the latest from the presbytery to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) to affiliate with the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). Bakersfield has approximately 960 active members.

The Rev. Noel Anderson, executive pastor at Bakersfield, described the dismissal process as a model for the entire 2.14-million member denomination.

“I think San Joaquin Presbytery has absolutely set the bar for how presbyteries ought to deal with churches that want to go,” he said, adding that there was no acrimony and the presbytery had a thorough discernment process. “The vote was almost unanimous and was followed by a time of prayer and laying on of hands for First Presbyterian.”

Anderson’s description sounded much like the September meeting in which three San Joaquin congregations left under similar circumstances.

According to the agreement, Bakersfield pastors Jeff Chandler and Kwuang-Fo Kurt Teng also were dismissed to the EPC. Anderson, who will remain with the church, did not request dismissal and retains his status in the PCUSA.

Anderson said he will be the first PCUSA pastor that has permission to serve outside the presbytery’s bounds at an EPC church. Anderson also serves as moderator of San Joaquin’s council.

“My staying is not a judgment against those who are going,” Anderson said. “I feel I can do more by staying and fighting.”