Pittsburgh Presbytery Leader Resigns as Two Congregations Ready to Leave

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The pastor of the Pittsburgh Presbytery is resigning while two congregations consider bolting the denomination and tensions thrive between liberals and conservatives.

The Rev. James Mead, who has been pastor of the presbytery for eight years, was credited by his associates for easing tensions during his tenure and making meetings more focused on religion than on disputes.

Despite his work, two congregations in the presbytery — which has about 43,000 members in 153 Allegheny County congregations — still plan to vote on secession.

Mead submitted his resignation at a presbytery council meeting yesterday. He says he is returning to the West Coast so he and his wife can be with their aging parents and a grown son who is experiencing some personal problems.

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