The departing churches say the denomination no longer recognizes the authority of Scripture and is embracing universalism. An increasing number of churches decided to depart after the 2011 passage of Amendment 10A and the new Form of Government.

One of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s largest Florida presbyteries will be losing almost a third of its membership after the 57-church Presbytery of Tropical Florida approved the dismissal requests of nine churches Tuesday.

The departing churches say the denomination no longer recognizes the authority of Scripture and is embracing universalism. An increasing number of churches decided to depart after the 2011 passage of Amendment 10A and the new Form of Government.

The amendment deleted the explicit “fidelity/chastity” requirement from the constitutional ordination standard, and now allows the PCUSA to ordain noncelibate gay people as deacons, elders and pastors.

The new Form of Government (nFOG) has raised concerns that the PCUSA may become more hierarchical and less connectional, as well as becoming more universalistic in theology.

The departure represents about 3,800 members of the 13,525 Presbyterians within Tropical Florida – a 28-percent loss.

Under Tropical’s gracious dismissal policy, if 80 percent of the congregation in attendance vote to seek dismissal, the church is allowed to depart for another Reformed body with its property intact provided it pays an amount generally equal to three years of per-capita payments and often a special mission gift.

After a three-month process of meetings with presbytery officials, town-hall forums and final congregational meetings, all of the nine churches voted to seek dismissal with more than 90 percent support in each case.

With the exception of Faith Presbyterian Church in Pembroke Pines, all of the churches say they plan to join ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.

Formed at the January meeting of the Fellowship of Presbyterians, ECO recently reported that 47 congregations are preparing to join the fledgling denomination. Faith will seek membership in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).

“Their dismissal will leave some areas with no presbytery or PCUSA presence,” Tropical’s Presbytery Administrator Amalie Ash said in a recent statement.

The churches range in membership from almost 900 to barely 75. They include:

Grace Community Church, Boca Raton

First Presbyterian Church, North Palm Beach

Indian River Presbyterian Church, Fort Pierce

Palm City Presbyterian Church, Palm City

Memorial Presbyterian Church, West Palm Beach

Faith Presbyterian Church, Pembroke Pines

All Villages Presbyterian Church, St. Lucie West

First Presbyterian Church of Miami Springs

Kirk of the Keys Presbyterian Church, Marathon

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