Megachurch Loses Property Battle to PC(USA)

chiggertick »

Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:20 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

PCUSA is firmly within its rights and the decision upholds this. For the many decades during which it functioned as a PCUSA congregation, Kirk of the Hills understood what the PCUSA constitution clearly stated: that congregations hold physical properties in trust for the Presbytery. But, that being said, there is a matter deeper than the physical or fiscal dimension. In the spirit of grace and good will, PCUSA should've ceded the property to the members of Kirk of the Hills. I am an ordained PCUSA minister who is in deep disagreement with Kirk of the Hills's theology, but, at the end of the day, Christians should find a way to agree to disagree. As Americans, though, we (whether on the left or the right) view money and property as far more important than than the further-reaching dimensions which lie beyond the physical. I've heard a good number of pastors from various denominations say, "I'd leave this denomination if it wouldn't cost me my pension." Good thing our forebears in the faith didn't say things like, "I'd prophesy but it might not be cost effective" or "I'd get up on that cross but it'll diminish my assets."