An Oklahoma church’s leadership has decided to cut its ties with the Presbyterian Church (USA) over theological differences and has advised its congregation to vote accordingly.

First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, which was founded in 1889 and with an estimated 750 regular attendance, held a session in which they recommended breaking from their PC(USA) regional body, Indian Nations Presbytery.

The Rev. Mateen Elass, senior pastor at First Presbyterian Edmond, told The Christian Post that the situation was a complex one but that the major reason was theological.

“For us, the matter is complex, but the central issue is that of the diminished authority and unorthodox interpretation of the Word of God now prevalent in the PC(USA), especially among leaders,” said Elass.

In a statement given to the congregation of First Presbyterian, Elass wrote that “recent decisions within the PC(USA) leave the impression that the slide into non-orthodox, theological liberalism and practice is only accelerating.”

“Our firm desire is that when it comes time for a final congregational vote on dismissal from the PC(USA), we all as a church family will be as unified in our decision as possible,” continued Elass.

Rules and guidelines for congregations planning to leave the PC(USA) can vary from presbytery to presbytery. According to Elass, Indian Nations does not have an official process for a congregation to be dismissed.

“[We] cannot outline with great specificity all the steps we must take to transfer to
another Presbyterian denomination with our property intact,” wrote Elass.

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