Posted on 04/14/2007 7:32:42 PM PDT by ImaGraftedBranch
Sorry for the vanity, but we are wondering if anyone knows about the Cumberland Presbyterian church. We have friends that are thinking of joining it, but I have read that they are affiliated with PC(USA), which has anti-Israeli views, pro-homosexuality views, etc.
I searched online and could not find explicit proof, other than the Cumberland and PCUSA conventions were held in Birmingham in 2006, and that the PCUSA came away with some very anti-biblical statements. Was the Cumberland branch part of that, or are they ok? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
And the second: Denominational website (getting "403.9 Access Forbidden: Too many users are connected" at the moment.)
Doesn't look real promising for someone looking for a conservative church.
Become a Catholic.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is separate from the PCUSA, but is fairly liberal in its own right. It has strayed pretty far from traditional reformed doctrine, and historically had a less educated pastorate. I don’t think they are affiliated with the National Council of Churches, however.
Wikipedia can also be a useful tool on religion; just remember to translate moderate to liberal, progressive to ultra liberal.
I’d suggest finding a Church of Christ with sound doctrine, but that’s just me. http://www.churchzip.com/ has a pretty good batting average at locating them for people.
But search the Scriptures and make up your own mind. I wish you well.
Hope to set the record straight here. I have been a member of the church for about 12 years...
The CP church is a mixture of liberal and conservative thought and beliefs. The church is firmly centered on Jesus the Christ as the son of God. The church breaks from some traditional Presbyterian beliefs in several areas. These differences in belief are best understood in knowing the reasons for the founding of the church.
The church was founded by the Presbyterians on the Cumberland plateau who were ill served by their home synod in Kentucky. The folks in Ky. were very slow to send ministers to the difficult backwater of the Cumberland plateau. At the same time a great revival was sweeping the US. The CP folks were unable to participate due to their beliefs. As the church was a huge part of social life on the Cumberland plateau, the churches had difficulty competing with the Baptists and other churches.
The CP churches being practical started appointing their own ministers. This caused their ejection from the Kentucky synod. At the same time they ditched the predestination beliefs and participated in the revivalism movement. This of course is a vast simplification....
Conservative beliefs...
1. Focus on Jesus as the Christ, son of God.
2. Focus on the Bible as the inerrant word of God.
3. Focus on the Church community as a fellowship of believers.
4. Focus on marriage being between a man and woman... ordained by the scriptures and blessed by Jesus.
Liberal beliefs...
1. The CP church ordains women as ministers... This is not new. The first was ordained in the 1880s.
2. Women are allowed to serve as Elders. (Though our elders are actually deacons for the most part)
So, the church is spiritually very conservative, but socially liberal if you rank it by the ordination of women.
I like the church because of its focus on Jesus Christ. All other issues are subordinated to the gospel message of salvation through Jesus. The worship service is fairly traditional.
As to other concerns addressed here.
1. Ministers untrained. This was concern... in the 1840s. Now our ministers are some of the best educated of any Protestant denomination.
2. Affiliation with the liberal PC church. We have a good relationship with PC USA church. This is a good thing and new. Our relationship has been tarnished in the past by bitter feelings. These have been aside and forgiveness has triumphed. We however will never merge with them because of our serious theological differences. I pray for them to get their house in order.
As to the actual churches themselves... The congregations tend to be small. We feature all sorts of worship services, though most tend to be traditional. If the Praise and Worship movement appeals to you, some of the churches have this type of worship. Most however are traditional.
The church also is very welcoming to many different denominations. We have actually had a Baptist preacher one Sunday. One of our pastors converted to Catholicism. He is still welcomed and loved by our church.
I hope this helps your understanding......
I listen to the pastor from this church
http://www.heightscpc.org/index.html
on the radio.
Pretty good sermons.
The CP church is very conservative in Albuquerque. Probably the most conservative out of them all...and it is the largest of all the CP churches. I have been a member for many years and have attended other churches in the area and always come back home.
CP churches are teaching churches and not just feel good social clubs. We hold each other accountable with love and understanding. I think you would enjoy a CP church.
What I do know is they are Presbyterian in church government only, in that they don't subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith.
The Wiki article has a pretty reasonable write up on beliefs and practices.
As far as the local body I attended they were great people, and most importantly of all the Gospel was clearly proclaimed.
A true grafted branch is attached to Jesus Christ who founded the Catholic Church on the apostles, the first Bishops.
One, holy, apostolic and Catholic
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