In September, Highland Park filed suit against Grace Presbytery, seeking legal confirmation that they could keep their property if they ended their voluntary affiliation. Later that month, the leadership of Highland Park unanimously passed a resolution recommending that the congregation end its affiliation with PC (USA). In late October, a resolution to end their affiliation with PC (USA) and join the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians passed with 89 percent of the vote.

A congregation that was once the largest Presbyterian Church (USA) church in Texas has been encouraged by its new affiliation with a more conservative body.

Highland Park Presbyterian Church of Dallas, which terminated its voluntary affiliation with PC (USA) earlier this year over theological differences, decided to join the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, (ECO), a recently created and more theologically conservative Reform body.

The Rev. Joe Rightmyer, Highland Park’s interim senior pastor, told The Christian Post that the relationship between his congregation and ECO has been going strong.

“Highland Park Presbyterian Church (HPPC) has had a very active season since it joined ECO on October 28, 2013,” said Rightmyer. “The new relationship between HPPC and ECO has already been encouraging. The theological unity gained by this change has lifted the spirit of HPPC’s congregation.”

Rightmyer also told CP about how “planning has already begun for several joint efforts between HPPC and ECO.”

“[These include] local and world missions efforts, leadership training, HPPC’s Senior Pastor search, and the ECO National Gathering taking place August 18-20 in Dallas, Texas,” said Rightmyer. “Reverend Doctor Dana Allin, ECO Synod Executive, will also be a guest preacher at HPPC on both February 9th and February 23rd, during our Sunday morning worship.”

Leaving PC(USA)

Highland Park Presbyterian began a voluntary affiliation with Presbyterian Church (USA) back in 1983, falling under the regional body of Grace Presbytery. With approximately 4,000 members, the Dallas-based church was the largest PC (USA) church in the Lone Star State.

Read More