PCUSA is much larger (about 1.7 million), but has been losing membership for 50 years. Currently losing about 5% a year. They ordain women and practicing homosexuals. They are a post-Christian mainstream denomination. They have a ‘Book of Confessions’ from which leaders can pick and choose. They have abandoned the Presbyterian form of government in favor of a hierarchical governance.
The PCA is smaller, with about 300,000 members and has been fairly stable in numbers over the last few years after a few decades of rapid growth. It holds to a traditional view of marriage and will ordain only males. Leaders are required to affirm the Scriptures and subscribe to the American version of the Westminster Standards. It is generally considered to be ‘moderate’.
Although the PCUSA is much larger in numbers, I’ve seen speculation that the average Sunday attendance of the two is about the same.
The PCA fields many more foreign missionaries than does the PCUSA.
And finally, if a congregation wants to leave the PCSUA, the denomination will generally either take their property or extract a heavy cash settlement. PCA congregations have to follow a formal series of rules, but can freely exit with their property should the congregation desire to do so.
PCUSA is much larger (about 1.7 million), but has been losing membership for 50 years. Currently losing about 5% a year.
...what about the Westminster Presbyterians...I heard they’re growing as well...
Now that's the first time I've ever heard the PCA described as "moderate" by anyone. I think we are conservative by any measure.
Also, the PCA Book of Church Order declares that all property of a PCA member church is owned solely by that local church, and is not the property of the denomination itself or the church's local presbytery. This rule was established at the PCA's founding after so many churches had to forfeit their property to PCUSA when they left to form (or subsequently join) the PCA. By its own rules, the PCA cannot hold hostage the property of any member church that wishes to leave. This makes for a very healthy check on the conduct of our denomination.