First Presbyterian Church in Enid, Oklahoma voted yesterday on whether or not members wished to remain a part of the denomination Presbyterian USA. PCUSA claims to have 2.3 million members in all 50 states, but on May 10, 2011, PCUSA joined a long line of mainline denominations in approving the ordination of gays and homosexuals to be pastors within the denomination. Most of the people at First Presbyterian, Enid, and all of my friends at that church were opposed to the denomination's decision to ordain homosexuals. Yesterday, First Presbyterian, Enid's membership voted 65% to 35% to leave the PCUSA denomination.Here's what that means. Unlike independent, autonomous Baptist churches like the church I pastor (Emmanuel Baptist Church, Enid, Oklahoma), the church members of the non-profit church called First Presbyterian, Enid do not own the buildings (valued in the millions). Neither do the members of First Presbyterian, Enid own the church endowment funds (estimated at $4 million dollars). The denomination owns all the assets. So, even though the members of the church paid for their buildings, gave money to the church's endowment, and have financially supported the church over the more than 100 years of the church's existence, the members who choose to leave First Presbyterian, Enid go without any assets. Further, if Pastor Roy Schneider leaves the denomination, which might happen due to his biblical faith-based convictions, Pastor Schneider will forfeit his retirement account.
Wow. In Enid, Oklahoma there are Christians who cherish the Bible more than the church buildings. There are Christians who are more concerned about their principles than their pocketbooks. Enid, Oklahoma has some Christians who value what God says more than what any denominational leaders say. Those are, in my opinion, the kind of Christians that ultimately make a difference in this world. Kudos to the people of First Presbyterian Church, Enid, Oklahoma. If you start another church, we will support you in any way possible. If you need a church home, our church would welcome with open arms people like you who love Christ and His Word.
And, if nothing else, the issues in PCUSA remind me why I'm glad I'm in a church system that is congregational in polity, autonomous in governance, and ultimately free and independent of any silly and unbiblical decisions of denominational authorities. In other words, the Southern Baptist Convention owns neither the buildings, endowments, or financial assets of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Enid.
That's the way it ought to be.
