Posted on 05/11/2015 6:14:26 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
The Rev. Charles Hasty, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Georgia, has announced his resignation from the congregation he's served for 13 years after members narrowly defeated a motion to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Hasty announced his resignation Monday evening after congregants voted 266-146 last month to leave PCUSA over theological differences; the total was just eight votes shy of the necessary two-thirds majority needed to pass.
JoAnna Williams, administrative assistant for Hasty, directed The Christian Post to a local news article wherein quotes from a letter Hasty wrote explaining his reasoning was published.
"Undoubtedly, there is more work to be done; however, the work God is calling this church to do will be under different leadership," said Hasty to the Ledger-Enquirer.
"My heart, like all of yours, is broken in the wake of the fractured vote for gracious dismissal and the resulting conflicted state of our relationships within First Presbyterian and between First Presbyterian and Flint River Presbytery."
In April the 900-member First Presbyterian voted on whether or not to remain affiliated with PCUSA, due to the liberal theological direction of the Mainline denomination.
Had the measure passed, First Presbyterian would have not only disaffiliated from PCUSA, but also joined the newer, more conservative Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians.
The week after the vote, about 70 members of First Presbyterian left to form their own congregation, named Grace Church of Columbus.
Glen D. Giles, a member of Grace Church, told CP in an earlier interview that he joined the new congregation because he felt "isolated and disenfranchised by my denomination."
"I felt that in the almost three decades I had been a member of that denomination it had transformed from a denomination into a political action committee," said Giles, adding he was speaking only for himself.
"I desired to be a part of a church and denomination that will have less conflict and more unity, especially in adhering to the Word."
According to his letter of resignation, Hasty will officially leave his position as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church effective Sunday, May 24.
....In April the 900-member First Presbyterian voted on whether or not to remain affiliated with PCUSA, due to the liberal theological direction of the Mainline denomination. Had the measure passed, First Presbyterian would have not only disaffiliated from PCUSA, but also joined the newer, more conservative Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. The week after the vote, about 70 members of First Presbyterian left to form their own congregation, named Grace Church of Columbus.
There’s a Pastor that believes in Scripture Alone!
It will be interesting to see what happens as the Bible based Christians leave the PCUSA. Will the liberal PCUSA churches continue to see the same level of donations?
If the 266 members (plus the minister) leave and start a new church....gonna put a big hole in the offering plate at the current PCUSA church.
Good.
PCUSA is being devastated by the losses. Our local PCUSA’s are largely liberal so they aren’t affected as much.
But the local PCA church is suffering from overgrowth and is forming another church.
It amazes me that so many believers were able to tolerate the PCUSA’s liberalism for so long.
My experience has been that conservatives are much better givers. As the PCUSA purges their membership of Bible believing Christians I'm wondering if this is reflected in the donations they receive.
Sad to see things like this happen, but glad to see Bible- believing Christians are still willing to vote with their feet.
The article wasn’t clear, but I interpret it as the pastor being loyal to PCUSA. I think he’s leaving because a clear majority (although not the required 2/3) of his congregation want to be with PCA.
Individual churches were fairly conservative. In a liberal church, it is all about community. Our UMC congregation does community really well but we are seeing a major slide in attendance with a new pastor.
Interesting that of this “900 member” congregation only around 400 even chose to participate in the vote. Wonder how many show up regularly on Sundays?
Yes, it’s hard to decipher the correctness. Since he seems to have wanted a “vote for gracious dismissal,” I took that language to mean he was disappointed that the desired result fell short of approval.
How many members were attracted to the church because of its liberal point of view?
My experience has been that most frequenters of liberal churches are just uninterested in doctrine.
The larger congregations waited to long to begin making the jump. Waited around to see the effects on smaller congregations like mine. The reasons to leave PCUSA were plenty large several years ago when our congregation left the denomination. Seemed ludicrous to stick around.
I have driven by a very nice Presbyterian Church in S. Florida for over 15 years. In recent months, their signage has changed, and it has omitted the word “Presbyterian” from all their signs.
I wonder if this is the reason?
There are still some solid Pastors left in the PCUSA.. they are just a diminishing number..
The church I am attending right now has a Pastor that was ordained by PCUSA ...he is doctrinally solid...I love his exposition of the scripture and his pastoral gifts..
Good analysis. Thanks.
Cost the church I am attending 500,000 to buy out ...
Actually, nearly but not quite two-thirds (8 votes short) voted to leave the PCA --therefore, although a majority voted to leave, it takes a 2/3 super-majority under their by-laws. He's leaving that congregation because he is personally leaving the PCA and his congregation is not.
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