PC(USA)

The San Francisco Presbytery has approved the ordination of an openly homosexual minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

But already, opponents of the move say they have collected enough signatures to stay the ordination.

"We believe that what San Francisco Presbytery did was unconstitutional, and we expect to see the error corrected," said Sarah Hill, coordinator of the Presbyterian Coalition, according to Religion News Service. "The presbytery cannot ordain the candidate until the legal process is complete." more >>

Three churches in northern California cut ties with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and joined a smaller and more conservative denomination this month.

Among them was Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clovis which was officially constituted as an Evangelical Presbyterian Church congregation on Sunday.

During a meeting earlier this month, EPC's Presbytery of the West examined several pastors and their requests to transfer from the PC(USA) to the EPC. The Rev. Chuck Shillito of Trinity was received and on Sunday installed as pastor. more >>

Presbyterians have come to a similar conclusion as Lutherans recently did about same-gender relationships: they cannot agree.

In a draft report, a special committee of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) stated that there continues to be a struggle in the denomination and they are left with "honest and sincere disagreements" on the issue of same-sex marriage and partnerships.

"What is the place of covenanted same-gender partnerships in the Christian community? The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) cannot agree," the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Unions and Christian Marriage said in its September report. more >>

Presbyterians have gathered in Atlanta, Ga., in hopes of birthing a new evangelism movement within its churches.

Part of the "Big Tent" event, the Evangelism Conference aims to infuse the passion for evangelism back into the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has seen declining membership for decades. Its largest drop (2.5 percent) occurred in 2007.

"I want a conference that will satisfy the deep hunger in our church for evangelism," said the Rev. Eric Hoey, director of evangelism and church growth for the PC(USA), as reported by the Presbyterian News Service. more >>

Hundreds of employees of the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country are taking a mandatory unpaid furlough this week.

In an effort to overcome a multimillion-dollar deficit, more than 200 staff members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will not be showing up for work beginning Monday.

"The Presbyterian News Service will be closed during the week of May 18-22 as all offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Council take a mandatory unpaid furlough," the denomination's online publication announced. more >>