Church's PCUSA Loyalists Postpone Evicting Conservative Majority

[Jerome]

In holiday spirit, Bethlehem church dispute winners hold off on taking charge of building

"The two groups hold separate worship services and were awaiting word from the court to learn which one would ultimately stay and which would be forced to find a new home."

"Judge Stephen Baratta’s ruling Monday giving control of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem to members loyal to the mainline denomination culminated a battle for the 31-acre property that began more than a year earlier."

"The winning congregation....said they will leave the service schedule as is for now."

"'Our guiding principle will be the words of our Lord, ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.’ (Luke 6:31). This is the time for graciousness and kindness,' said a posting on the congregation’s website."

"'In that spirit, we will not be making any changes to the worship schedule during the Advent and Christmas seasons. As soon as possible after the new year, we will....work to facilitate a smooth transition.'"

 

[rsr]

"In his ruling, which followed a three-day civil trial, Baratta declared the 31.5-acre property was held in trust for the Presbyterian Church USA, and was not the property of the church members to do with what they pleased."

The majority congregation Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians contends it never put the land in trust for the denomination. That probably doesn't matter because of national denominational practices. In our community, the United Methodist Church recently closed some churches and they were disposed of by the local conference and not the congregation, which essentially had no say in the matter.

 

[Rob_BW]

And some here decry a lack of hierarchy amongst Baptists.

 

[Jerome]

Conservatives leaving Bethlehem Presbyterian church find temporary home

"The conservative faction of First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem, which split from the national denomination two years ago and then failed in its legal effort to get ownership of the church on Center Street, will hold its last service there Sunday."

"'Sunday’s service is going to be powerful,' Crumpler said. 'But we are ready to move forward'....members will worship at Bethlehem Catholic High School until they find a new home The congregation, which Crumpler said consists of more than 1,000 people every Sunday, split from the Presbyterian Church USA in 2016. The schism was sparked by a growing theological divide with the national denomination"