No, it's not new. Most of the traditional Christian churches do the same. I was taught that evolution was how the deity created species in the Presbyterian church as a youngster.
However, many of the latter-day evangelical churches are sola scriptura and reject evolution.
All protestant denominations were at one time sola scriptura, including Presbyterian. Many Presbyterians today would affirm that principle, and I would also be willing to bet that it is still included in the official church doctrine, although I'm sure in many places it's just given lip service or the terms are redefined to mean whatever they want it to mean.