The Presbyterian Church is facing an internal split that will see the National Mexican Presbyterian Church of Mexico (NPCM) leave the U.S. Church.
Theologically, the Mexican Presbyterian Churches are considered more conservative than those within the U.S. When a vote came on whether the NPCM would remain with the U.S. and allow the ordination of gay clergy in same-sex relationships, they overwhelmingly voted to leave. While spokespeople for the U.S. Church have expressed sadness, they are also holding the right of their Christian brethren to follow their hearts and faith as to belief of customs.
Yet again, the LGBT community is under fire from religion and religious influences that are attempting to hold back loving families and core values that these churches are supposedly instilling in the world.
Â
U.S. Presbyterians endorsed and voted in favor of ordaining people in same-sex relationships last May. Both churches share a 139-year history and a network of social service ministries that span the Mexican-U.S. border. There is a growiNg concern relief agencies and missions that do work south of the border as to the co-operation and support they will receive in continued work.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was a leader with the United States’ varying denominations in regards to their mission work. It has spanned the building of hospitals, clinics, colleges and universities not only here but also across the globe – where many countries can thank the tireless work of Presbyterian Missionaries for their education and the access to higher education. In present day, the more than 2 million member church supports less than 215 missionaries abroad annually. A large concentration of this work is within South America and Mexico.
However, this is not the paramount concern for the U.S. denomination. Currently there are a group of conservative Presbyterians who are meeting in Minnesota to plan the appropriate reaction to the church’s inclusion of same-sex parental families. Yet again, the LGBT community is under fire from religion and religious influences that are attempting to hold back loving families and core values that these churches are supposedly instilling in the world.
It is also interesting that they are meeting in Minnesota, a state currently under much scrutiny for its birth to a religious right political tide, most-recently associated with Michele Bachmann. Perhaps we are seeing the last ditch efforts of those within these pockets of conservatives among today’s Protestant denominations. On the other hand we could be seeing the development of an organized conservative base that will continue to lead the fight that has helped keep the Catholic Church 200 years behind most of its Christian counterparts.
Theologically the Mexican Presbyterian Churches are considered more conservative than those within the US. When a vote came on whether the NPCM would remain with the US and allow the ordination of gay clergy in same-sex relationships, they overwhelmingly voted to leave. While spokespeople for the US Church have expressed sadness, they are also holding the right of their Christian brethren to follow their hearts and faith as to belief of customs.
U.S. Presbyterians endorsed and voted in favor of ordaining people in same-sex relationships last May. Both churches share a 139-year history and a network of social service ministries that span the Mexican-U.S. border. There is a growing concern among relief agencies and missions that do work south of the border as to the co-operation and support they will receive in continued work.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was a leader with the United States’ varying denominations in regards their mission work. It has spanned the building of hospitals, clinics, colleges and universities not only here but also across the globe – where many countries can thank the tireless work of Presbyterian Missionaries for their education and the access to higher education. In present day, the more than 2 million member church supports less than 215 missionaries abroad annually. A large concentration of this work is within South America and Mexico.
However, this is not the paramount concern for the US denomination. Currently there are a group of conservative Presbyterians who are meeting in Minnesota to plan the appropriate reaction to the churches inclusion of same-sex parental families. Yet again, the LGBT community is under fire from religion and religious influences that are attempting to hold back loving families and core values that these churches are supposedly instilling in the world.
It is also interesting that they are meeting in Minnesota, a state currently under much scrutiny for its birth to a religious right political tide. Perhaps we are seeing the last ditch efforts of those within these pockets of conservatives among today’s Protestant denominations. On the other hand we could be seeing the development of an organized conservative base that will continue to lead the fight that has helped keep the Catholic Church 200 years behind most of its Christian counterparts.
Growing up in Northern Ontario as a Jehovah’s Witness, Michael Talon experienced firsthand the struggle for equality. Now living in the U.S. with his partner, they work with advocates for federal equality, including immigration. Working side by side, Michael and his partner Brad, head of Luna Media Group, help to deliver messages for equality to the nation.