PCUSA did this nationally years ago. It only took this long in Alabama because ‘Bama is more conservtive.
I occassionly visit Brimingham. There is a fairly conservative (and very traditional) Baptist chruch that sits right next to a PCUSA church. The Baptist church is hugh (not a mega church, but big, I’ve been in it and I would guess it holds 2,000.) They are packed on Sundays.
The PCUSA church is small by any standards. To say their parking lot is 1/2 full on Sundays would be stretching it. If 100 people were attending I’d be surprised.
The point is PCUSA has shrunk to little more than a small, fringe denomination. This move will not help them grow.
Actually the PCUSA has not done this. The fidelity and chastity standard is currently the law of the PCUSA. The vote in Alabama is part of determining whether the PCUSA will drop the standard as a whole. It has come up for a vote every few years and has always failed.
Yes, as a former PCUSA elder, I’m well aware of their decline...and their rejection of the whole counsel of God.