PCUSA continues to see exodus of churches
The exodus from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continues as congregations seeking a more conservative home leave for other denominations. Some are small congregations—20 or 30 members—and some are among the largest and wealthiest churches in the PCUSA.
The departures, mostly for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church or for ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, have been going on for some time now, but the cumulative impact is adding up. ECO reports that 60 congregations so far have formally joined its ranks, with more considering on planning such a move.
[In spring 2011, a majority of PCUSA presbyteries approved the General Assembly’s vote in 2010 to ordain gay and lesbian clergy, a move that led many conservatives to opt out of the denomination.]
