This is a problem I am dealing with as a member of PCUSA. We have a conservative, older pastor who is a good leader. I am scared to death as to what we will get from Columbia or Princeton when he retires in the next few years.
I wouldn't say that the church has become more liberal, I am just troubled by the cultural aspects it has absorbed- casual dress, contemporary music and a much more evangelical and emotional religious experience rather than a traditional intellegent approach to God.
As PCUSA luminaries like Frank Harrington and his contemporaries gradually die out and retire, it is apparent that those who replace them are very different in the pulpit. The seminaries are giving us New Coke instead of Coke, and the results have been negative in some of the denominations' largest churches.
Go to the PCUSA website where they keep the attendance records for Peachtree Presbyterian Church. After Dr. Harrington died, attendance dropped way off, followed by a steep decline in membership. This was one of the largest congregations in the nation.
http://apps.pcusa.org/chstats/index.html?ch_pin=22087 PCUSA is actually trying to allow God to reach everyone, in the tradition of John Knox. This includes all sinners, no matter what the sin. At the same time the church is sacrificing Knox's respect for and fear of God for greater mass appeal by allowing solemn tradition to be replaced by pop culture like casual dress, newer, hipper music and patently inoffensive sermons full of meaningless props.
Newer preachers generally tend to ignore or indirectly address the complex moral issues of today's society for fear of being offensive. That religion has become a reflection of culture in many ways in order to reach more souls is an interesting paradox. I think it has hurt the spread of Chrisianity more than it has helped.
This is my experience in Metro Atlanta. It is not limited to just the Presbyterian church. All of the newer mainline churches seem to have identical services and theology, with the execption being Roman Catholic, some newer PCA and EPC preachers(Presbyterian demoninations), and Southern Baptists. Any one else have any experiences to share?
I grew up in a PCUSA church with a godly pastor, and an ungodly session. But my understanding of the denomination grew when a former PCUSA pastor shared with me why he left National Capital Presbytery -- the rejection of a ministerial candidate because he believed in Christ was born of a virgin.