PC(USA)

As some churches call for less hierarchy in their denominations, one mainline church will consider reducing their structure by eliminating the synod system.

On Thursday, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly Mid-Council Commission approved recommendations first proposed last year for removing synods as part of the governing system of the denomination.

The Rev. Tod Bolsinger, chairman of the Commission, told The Christian Post that the commission investigated certain questions regarding the effectiveness of synods. more >>

A group of 24 leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recently signed a letter seeking reconciliation between the mainline denomination and a conservative breakaway group.

Signers are calling on Presbyterian leaders to "build bridges" with disaffected congregations and urging those thinking about leaving the PC(USA) to "slow down and recognize that there are several viable signs of unity."

The letter, released last week, originated with the Rev. Paul Watermulder, who serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame, Calif. more >>

At a conference in Florida, a conservative Presbyterian group has officially given a name to the "New Reformed Body" they created.

The Fellowship of Presbyterians has decided to call the recently created reform body the "Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians" or ECO for short.

"ECO is a denominational entity under the umbrella of The Fellowship of Presbyterians that is committed to growing and planting flourishing churches and nurturing leaders," reads a Fellowship statement. more >>

Presbyterians discontent with what they view as an abandonment of Scripture in the PC(USA) announced Thursday that they are launching their own Reformed body.

Calling it the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, the group presented the body not as an "alternative" but rather as a structure that "enables ministry," Layman.org quoted Dr. John Ortberg, pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, as saying.

"Every organism lives in a larger system. A healthy ecosystem filters out toxins so that organisms can thrive," Ortberg said at a conference of The Fellowship of Presbyterians – the group launching ECO. "The goal is to build a spiritual ecosystem that in turn builds flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ." more >>

As conservative Presbyterians discontent with the PC(USA) gather this week in Florida for a conference to create a “New Reformed Body,” one church that championed the idea will not be joining the new group.

First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, which is hosting the “Orlando Covenanting Conference,” will not be joining the “New Reformed Body” but rather will remain with its present affiliation, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

David Swanson, senior pastor at First Presbyterian, told The Christian Post that his church had to decide on an affiliation when they left the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), before the NRB concept was initiated. more >>

Many conservative Presbyterians hold mixed feelings about a video released by eight elders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) calling for unity among Presbyterian churches.

On Wednesday, Ruling Elder Cynthia Bolbach and Teaching Elder Landon Whitsitt, the moderator and vice-moderator of PC(USA)’s 219th General Assembly, posted a 34-minute video on YouTube stating that the denomination “has not turned its back on proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.”

The video, as well as an accompanying letter, also called for Presbyterians belonging to congregations that are set to leave the PC(USA) to reconsider their plans. more >>