Denomination
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Theological posture
Mainline (PC(USA))
Historically Presbyterian but with changes to its standards and practice that separate it from the confessional bodies above. Read its entry.
Doctrinal basis. Its confessional standard is the Book of Confessions, not the Westminster Standards alone.
Points to weigh
- Since 2011 it permits ordination of openly gay and lesbian officers and since 2015 defines marriage as between two persons. Listed so readers can recognize Presbyterian-named schools and churches that are not aligned with the PCA or OPC.
- Position of reformededucation.org: it regards these changes, including the ordination of women as pastors and of openly gay and lesbian officers, as contrary to Scripture, and lists the PC(USA) so readers can tell it apart from the conservative Presbyterian bodies. Descriptions of the denomination’s practices above are from its own public record.
Classification and points to weigh are reformededucation.org's judgments from the sources listed below. They describe and do not endorse; confirm current details with the institution.
About
Largest mainline Presbyterian denomination in the United States, formed by the 1983 reunion.
Details
- Abbreviation
- PC(USA)
- Tradition
- Presbyterian
- Founded
- 1983 reunion of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.
- Confessional standards
- The Book of Confessions
- Polity
- Presbyterian: sessions, presbyteries, synods and a General Assembly
- Size (as reported)
- 3.2 million members at the 1983 reunion; membership has since fallen (reported by the Presbyterian Outlook)
- What it believes and practices
- Permits the ordination of openly gay and lesbian officers (since 2011) and defines marriage as between two persons (since 2015).
- Ordains women as ministers and elders (dates not confirmed here).
- Its standard is the Book of Confessions, not the Westminster Standards alone.
- Sources consulted