20 more congregations join movement, boost total to 420
The Layman Online; Thursday, June 14, 2001
Twenty more congregations in 17 states representing a membership in excess of 6,661 have joined the Confessing Church Movement within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
As of June 14, the Confessing Church Movement included more than 420 congregations with a total membership in excess of 148,372, according to reports received by the Presbyterian Lay Committee.
The movement, which began in Pennsylvania on March 21, has spread across 42 states and Puerto Rico without the aid of organization, leadership or a budget. The average size of the Confessing Church is 354 members.
The latest additions range from small congregations such as the Riverview Presbyterian Church in Selma, Ala., with 11 members to large congregations such as the First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach, Fla., with 1,455 members and St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Va., with 1,020 members.
In announcing that its session had endorsed the movement, the First Presbyterian Church in Sand Springs, Okla., said, "This action arises from frustration over the direction our denomination appears to be moving with respect to the Lordship of Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the understanding of God's gifts of sexuality and marriage.
"It is not the intention of the session of First Presbyterian Church of Sand Springs to be schismatic or divisive, but rather to state boldly the faith that it lives by during this time of confusion and discord in our denomination," the session said.
The session at First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula, Miss., "recognizing that the "Confessing Church Movement" is sweeping the country and seeking to address certain issues within the Presbyterian Church (USA)," expressed a similar viewpoint, saying:
"While the voices of the Presbyterian Church have spoken with clarity through the centuries, yet in recent years have grown confused, we affirm the clear testimony of Scripture and our Confessions as they
address the three issues currently being discussed in the Presbyterian Church (USA)."
Sessions representing congregations in the Confessing Church Movement have adopted a variety of resolutions, but all cite three core beliefs: that Jesus alone is the world's Lord and Savior, that Scripture is the infallible rule of life and faith and that God's standards for holy life have not been preempted by cultural changes.
Other congregations reporting that they had joined the Confessing Church Movement include:
A. Plain Grove Presbyterian Church in Slippery Rock, Pa., with 232 members.
B. Sierra Presbyterian Church in Nevada City, Calif., with 601 members.
C. Holmes Presbyterian Church in Holmes, Pa., with 161 members.
D. Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C., with 91 members.
E. Venice Presbyterian Church in McDonald, Pa., with 318 members.
F. Parkminster Presbyterian Church in Rochester, N.Y., with 231 members.
G. Lowell Presbyterian Church in Lowell, N.C., with 206 members.
H. Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Ga., with 26 members.
I. First Presbyterian Church in Hereford, Texas, with 212 members.
J. First Presbyterian Church in Sand Springs, Okla., with 255 members.
K. The Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro in Waynesboro, Pa., with 306 members.
M. Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sikeston, Mo., with 171 members.
N. Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Abilene, Kan., with 71 members.
O. Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church in Bremerton, Wash., with 433 members.
P. Tully Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sharon Hill, Pa., with 169 members.
Q. First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula, Miss., with 484 members.
R. Enslow Park Presbyterian Church in Huntington, W. Va., with 209 members.
