The results of the church-wide conversation on the identity and purpose of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have been released by the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA), and it reveals a denomination with a theologically and socially liberal majority which has a strong agreement that Reformed theology is a positive and defining feature of the PCUSA.
The report – When We Gather at the Table: A PCUSA Snapshot – shows that a majority of those responding to the online survey identified as liberal – both theologically (54 percent) and socially (62 percent), while 35 percent were theologically conservative and 29 percent socially conservative. Both groups place a priority on the “Reformed tradition.”
There is a difference, however, in how these different “clusters” in the PCUSA define “Reformed.”
In his analysis of the information gathered in the survey process, John Brueggemann of the Department of Sociology at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., wrote that that there was an “enormous affirmation for the Reformed tradition embodied in the PCUSA.” However, he described two different orientations of how that is expressed in the denomination.
Reformed theology
The first includes those that “express pride in Reformation theology, clear doctrine, Scottish roots, intergenerational membership, the church’s polity and its commitment to balancing reason and spirituality.”
The other, he said, link Reformed tradition to “ongoing reform, ‘reformed and reforming,’ ‘progressive’ sensibilities, reimagining the church’s role in the world, and an expansive, elusive and inclusive sense of God’s love.”
Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, describes the difference. “Reformed and always reforming, according to the Word of God is one of the hallmarks of the Reformation. However, over the last 30 years, the Reformation slogan has been truncated by some who embrace the idea of always reforming but holding neither to the essential tenets of Reformed theology nor to its moorings in Scripture. Which is why they see no reason for their always reforming notions to be found in accordance with the Word of God. What the survey evidences is more than different clusters – these are people expressing different understandings of Reformed faith.”
Brueggeman says, “It appears that some respondents regard these two orientations—both the rooted notion and forward-looking notion of tradition—as being in tension.”
He added that there are some who feel invested in a combination of both.
The ‘clusters’
While analyzing the comments, those conducting the survey “became aware of various clusters of individuals who share particular values distinct from other clusters of Presbyterians.”
A total of 79 percent of the survey participants “clearly fit” into one of the following segments, while 21 percent weren’t able to be categorized.
Purposeful progressives: The largest cluster – 35 percent – were identified as “Purposeful Progressives,” and are not only pleased with the denomination, it would like the PCUSA to narrow its focus and “claim a more progressive identity both for theological reasons and to gain cultural relevance and our own societal niche. Many in this group feel we need to get more involved in politics and in social action. They are less tolerant of conservative theologies within the denomination.” While some in this group hope that the conservative will learn to accept the theological differences in the PCUSA, “others would simply be happy if the conservatives left the PCUSA, and a few offered suggestions for helping dissenting congregations to leave the denomination with grace and dignity.”
Disappointed and discerning: The second cluster – identified as “Disappointed and Discerning” — include 19 percent of the participants. The report said that this group is the most displeased.
“Though the name given to this segment might appear to be strong, it truly reflects how they feel: forsaken, abandoned, and for some, held hostage by their denomination … They tend to feel that there is little room left for them at the table; that the liberals in the denomination treat them disparagingly.”
Members of this group include those who either cannot leave the denomination or are conflicted about leaving.
LaBerge noted that “this disappointed and discerning portion of the PCUSA has already been functionally written off in the membership decline projections released earlier this year by the Office of the General Assembly. Nineteen percent of the PCUSA’s 1.5 million members is 285,000. The PCUSA is counting on losing 400,000 by the end of 2020. I think it’s fair to say that the reason the currently disappointed and discerning people don’t see a seat at the table is that their seat has already been functionally removed.”
Family Facilitators: This group – 15 percent – are the peacemakers, who value the PCUSA’s theological diversity and would like to see reconciliation between the conservatives and liberals. It consists mostly of liberals and/or progressives who are “generally pleased with the denomination but worry about their brothers and sister in Christ who are distressed by recent changes.”
This group also includes some who are angry at the congregations that have left because they took the “easy way out” or placed undue importance on what they believe to be secondary issues.
Rooted and Resolute: While theologically conservative, this cluster – 10 percent – is socially moderate or mixed. It believes its PCUSA identity is important, but also feels that the denomination “has strayed from the Bible and/or gotten too involved in liberal politics.” It has been known in other circles as the “stay and fight” group.
“Some believe liberals are merely a vocal minority with disproportionate control of the denomination, and believe that they can convince the denomination to repent and return to the Bible. They tend to prefer a literal reading of scripture and feel that liberals/progressive Presbyterians will see their error and repent, when they are reminded that they’ve turned their backs on God,” according to the report.
In his analysis, Brueggeman defined the four clusters this way:
“There seem to be four clusters of respondents: a group we might label as ‘conservative,’ who are invested in biblical authority, Reformed traditions, and well-defined doctrine; a group we might label as ‘liberal’ who are more likely to emphasize social justice, tolerance, and the ongoing ‘reform’ embedded in church tradition; a third group appears to prefer ‘getting along’ and resists conclusive stances, disagreement, or conflict; finally there seems to be a miscellaneous category of people who are invested in the PCUSA but do not fit easily into any of the first three categories.”
Is PCUSA-affiliation important?
One of the first questions asked in the survey was if it was important that the respondent’s congregation be a part of the PCUSA. Fifty-six percent said “yes” while 34 percent said “no” and 10 percent “didn’t know.”
The survey indicated that it was more important to the self-identified liberals in the survey that their congregations belong to the PCUSA than it was for the conservatives. Seventy-four percent of the liberals — both theological and social – said that it was important for any congregation they are a member of to belong to the PCUSA, while only 29 percent of social conservatives and 33 percent of theological conservatives say the same.
“Furthermore, more than half of conservatives (59 percent of social conservatives and 55 percent of theological conservatives) state that it is NOT important that they belong to a PCUSA congregation,” it stated.
The largest portion of those answering “no,” said that they didn’t believe that the denomination was important as long as it was mainline, Reformed, open to women’s ordination, progressive and theologically aligned with their belief. They believed that the health and vitality of the congregation was more important than the denomination.
Thirty-eight percent of those saying “no,” however, seemed “genuinely unhappy to be part of the PCUSA.” That equals 17 percent of the total number of people answering the original question.
They believe that the PCUSA
- “has lost its way .. turned its back on God, ignored Scripture, it too political or has caved to the secular culture,”
- “Is too top-down and out of touch with congregations”
- “has changed or cannot be trusted”
Of the 1,598 who said “yes,” their reasons included:
- 30 percent the connectional nature of the denomination
- 28 percent identity/heritage/tradition
- 26 percent theology/Reformed theology
- 23 percent polity/governance
- 17 percent helping the world/my neighbor
- 14 percent thinking church/educated leaders
- Less than 10 percent cited each of the following: leadership/formation; progressive values; inclusive/welcoming; ecumenical and interfaith relations; worship style and liturgy; and embracing change.
What needs to change?
There were 2,675 who responded to this question and 24 percent of those believed that the PCUSA needs to “focus outward,” which included missions, advocacy, disaster relief/assistance, evangelism.
The second in the list –19 percent – was a focus on or return to Scripture, God and Jesus. An inward focus – spiritual formation, leadership development, pastor support and worshiping community support – was next on the list with 17 percent and 16 percent thought the PCUSA should promote reconciliation within itself, be more tolerant of theological diversity, discern the future together and educating each other about differing views.
Two other top concerns included streamlining the national church (14 percent) including flattening the structure and listening to the congregations who feel disconnected and steering clear of politics, liberalism and the secular culture (13 percent).
What is the PCUSA called to be?
The top to answers to this question are the same as the question of “what need to change” – Focus outward (this time 59 percent) and focus on/return to Scripture, God and Jesus (49 percent). Of those citing a focus or return to Scripture, the majority said that the denomination must “emphasize the need to be biblical (without mentioning anything about the denomination having strayed from the Bible), while one in five contend that we need to get back to the Bible and one in ten say that we need to live Christ-like lives.”
Twenty-seven percent of the 2,763 people who answer this question said the church needed to be inclusive, welcoming and loving, while both avoiding politics, liberalism and secularism and focusing inward both were mentioned by 13 percent.
Who responded?
Approximately 3,427 people – 98 percent who identified as Presbyterian – responded to the survey. According to the survey, respondents were:
- 41 percent ruling elders; 30 percent teaching elders; 19 percent members; six percent deacons
- 54 percent female; 46 percent male
- 34 percent over 65 years of age; 27 percent between the ages of 56-65; 18 percent between the ages of 46-55; and 19 percent between 26-45 years of age; two percent were under 25.
- 95 percent identified as white or Caucasian; two percent as Hispanic, Lainto/a or Spanish origin; two percent as black or African American;
- 359 were from Texas; 266 from Florida; 245 from North Carolina; 233 from Pennsylvania; 173 from South Carolina; all other states had less than 150 responding.
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Near the end of the story, it states ’41 percent of the respondents were ruling elders, 30 percent were teaching elders and six percent were deacons.’ Draw your own conclusions. And 49 percent said we should ‘return to scripture.’
The survey proved what I have thought for years and years. The Libs are only tolerant towards themselves and bigoted against anyone who isn’t. Yes, bigots. -ists and -phobes and all those other things they accuse conservatives of. This is not “liberal” at all. It is more like being a fascist.
Before everyone jumps in here with long diatribes – this survey was not based on a representative “sample.” It was an “opinion” gathering exercise, so these with stronger motivations to jump into the conversation are probably over represented in the results – on both ends of the spectrum.
Based on my observations of my church, there must be another category, that of the completely oblivious. I don’t believe that anyone there pays any attention at all to anything beyond our moderately conservative congregation, or our fairly conservative presbytery. As a result, I can’t conceive of my congregation ever leaving the denomination. As for me, I think my only course of action may be to renounce my elder’s ordination and resign my membership in the church, though I will probably continue to attend, because I’m strongly attached to a lot of elderly members, who will never leave. At least there will be no per capita flowing upwards on account of me, and the records will show that one more member of the PCUSA has resigned his membership.
What survey?!?
🙂
Is this survey available in total…the report??without it,there is no way to evaluate the surveys validity and value at all.
I never thought of reformed as a meaning for always reforming.. My history lead me to recognize the terms meaning relates to the reformation and all the lessons learned in that period. The Bible is the Bible while understood through historical meanings as well as the forgiveness of translation
If the Church becomes to be defined by politics, one may wonder if the church has been hijacked by the secularist, socialist Marxists. It would only serve as cover for another socialist society. Quite sad that this sample of “church” goers see church as a cover.
The sample and methodology becomes even more valuable in judging any usefulness of this data.
As an entity, the PCUSA departed the Reformed communion some time ago, likely happening about reunion in ’83. It is likely in the process of departing from the Christian communion in general, which was a process started post PUP in 2005. Soon, if not already, the organization will occupy the same religious or theological space as the Unitarians, Quakers and others who practice native or per-christian pagan methodologies.
An example of such is the near religious or confessional weight and baggage given to climate science and the politics of global warming. No matter, As the sample instrument does point out, the contemporary PCUSA is far less theologically diverse, far more orthodox in doctrine, intolerant and hostile to those who digress from its agendas. And will only become more so in the passing of time. Its soil toxic, its waters poison to those who choose to drink what they offer.
It was Classical Reformed Theology, as expressed in John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, the Westminster Standards, Charles Hodge’s Systematic Theology, and the Works of Benjamin Warfield, that drew me into Presbyterianism in mid-1991. It was this theology taught from the pulpit and in the adult Sunday School classrooms of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas, that defined for me what it was to be a Presbyterian.
To be sure, I was not so naïve as to think that every congregation in the Presbyterian Church (USA) was like Eastminster in that respect—after all, I had just come from a Theologically Liberal United Methodist congregation, and the PC(USA) at that time was considering the very controversial Human Sexuality Report. But it did teach me that there were congregations in the PC(USA) that showed genuine honor to the Scriptures as the Word of God. So when a job change took me to the Kansas City area in late 1996, I sought out for my new church home Eastminster’s sister congregation, Colonial Presbyterian, another Evangelical congregation in the PC(USA), where I was ordained a deacon in 2010, and where I worshiped and served until another job change brought me to north Texas two years ago.
Being a Presbyterian is important to me because I believe that Classical Reformed Theology—as expressed in Calvin, Westminster, Hodge, Warfield, and other eminent theologians of the same school—“contains the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures”, and wherever I live it is my intent to seek out a congregation that believes and teaches Classical Reformed Theology.
The specific denominational affiliation of any congregation to which I would join myself in membership is of secondary importance to me. This is not to say that it is unimportant, but only that it is less important than the Classical Reformed content of the sermons and Sunday School lessons of the particular congregation.
That being said, the theological climate in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its predecessors has dramatically changed since Colonial (in 1953, as a church plant of the Presbyterian Church in the United States) and Eastminster (in 1957, as a church plant of the United Presbyterian Church in North America) were originally established, and that climate has turned decidedly hostile toward Classical Reformed Theology. Not only is it not believed by most PC(USA) teaching and ruling elders, it is frequently by them eschewed. Most teaching and ruling elders seek greater freedom to deny certain great truths of the faith—such as the Inerrancy of Scripture, the Substitutionary Atonement, the sole saving efficacy of faith in Jesus Christ, and the Bible’s teaching that sexual intercourse ought to be had only within the confines of a monogamous marriage between one man and one woman for as long as both of them shall live—which is denied them by, among others, Classical Reformed Theology. Consequently, there is pressure especially on teaching elders in the PC(USA) who hold to Classical Reformed Theology to be silent on these efforts to subvert the PC(USA) on these and similar issues, if not to actually condone them.
Thus, Colonial in August 2010 and Eastminster in October 2011 voted to disaffiliate from the PC(USA) and affiliate instead with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and when Colonial cast its vote, I was among the 97% who voted in favor of this change.
As I mentioned above, my family I now live in north Texas—specifically, in the city of Denton on the northern edge of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The closest EPC congregation (and the only one in the metroplex) is an hour’s drive away, as is Highland Park Presbyterian in Dallas, which is affiliated with the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Here in Denton there are only five Presbyterian Churches: three are affiliated with the PC(USA), one is affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the fifth is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has rejected Classical Reformed Theology’s interpretations of the Doctrines of Grace (i.e., Predestination) and has adopted the Arminian understanding instead, and the three PC(USA) congregations have adopted the ethos that permeates that denomination, which is opposed to Classical Reformed Theology. Thus, my family and I now worship at Denton Presbyterian, a young congregation affiliated with the PCA.
I will not say that I will never again darken the door of another PC(USA) congregation, but it is extremely unlikely. I could land a new position in a city where there is a PC(USA) congregation that faithfully proclaims the Word of God in season and out, and which teaches Classical Reformed Theology from its pulpit and Sunday School classrooms. And to be sure, it is possible that a genuine Reformation like the one that swept through Europe in the sixteenth century could transform the PC(USA) once again into a Biblically faithful denomination—after all, “with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19.26). But I seriously doubt it.
I link to the report on the survey results is found near the beginning of the article.
Much of the PC(USA) material is provided in Korean (including the report on this survey), but less than 1% (if any) of the respondents were Korean. What is the disconnect?
http://www.pcusa.org/news/2016/5/6/report-submitted-assembly-identity-purpose-kor/
To all traditional, denomination members and conservatives who believe our beloved scriptures and denomination have been hijacked and controlled by liberal, (Anything goes) progressives: JUST REMAIN CALM, BE PATIENT AND SIMPLY WATCH THE SYTEMATIC DESTRUCTION OF PCUSA AS A GOVERNING BODY AS IT UNFOLDS RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES! MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE EXITING PCUSA EACH AND EVERY YEAR. Like most things liberals manage through their warped philosophies and policies, PCUSA will also be run right into the ground. Its only a matter of time. And I say good riddance to it.
“While some in this group hope that the conservative will learn to accept the theological differences in the PCUSA, “others would simply be happy if the conservatives left the PCUSA, and a few offered suggestions for helping dissenting congregations to leave the denomination with grace and dignity.”
OH the “progressives” don’t care if conservatives leave the pcusa, as long as they leave them the door keys and the bank account numbers!!!
Dan – this survey “proves” nothing – it is simply the opinions of some folks who responded. This was an information gathering exercise, not a research project. So, what you see in the results is what you bring into the conversation – what you bring is clear from your response.
Etta – this was not a sample based research project, it was a simple opinion gathering exercise. Those who heard about from somewhere and participated just clicked in and left a response. Validity is not an issue, its not representative, its just opinions.
After having read the results, I think the estimate of 400,000 members leaving to be wishful thinking. As the church becomes more political, I would say by 2020 PCUSA will have lost 500,000 or more. The survey shows at least one out of five members do not feel aligned with the current church. Perhaps, the church would be better served to look inward. Morality is not dictated by the liberalism that is so apparent in the current church. Scripture, which the church recognizes as God’s word, defines morality. The church would be wise to reaffirm its roots otherwise, I would guess by 2030. there will be no PCUSA.
That’s what I did when the PCUSA decided to divest from Israel. I’m ashamed I didn’t do it years earlier over their support of abortion, but at least no more am I supporting the PCUSA’s liberal agenda with my per capita tax. I’ve tried to find other congregations, but I still attend the congregation I was born into because it doesn’t “feel” like worship in any other congregation, and I love the sense of community of attending the same congregation with people I’ve worshipped with my whole life. I’m sad that I can’t support the PCUSA anymore, but my membership was forced on me. I still consider myself UP and always will.
This survey simply looks at those left in PCUSA. In 10 years the “politically oriented” will be a significant majority of a church of less than a million members. Look out Shakers here we come.
Concur
Concur
Concur
Exactly right – What Survey? Who did they ask to participate? Where was this buried?
John – I agree with your observation about the ‘oblivious’, which seem to make up about a third of my congregation. Many of these are elderly; people who are too frail to oppose the social activists and too enfeebled to find another church. So many of the ‘stay and fighters’ have remained because of their concern for older friends and family members, as you seem inclined to do.
This survey was actually highly promoted by the Louisville folks. If you didn’t know about it, blame your pastor or your presbytery folks for not telling you about it. There was no effort to hide it.
Handwriting has been on the wall for 15 or more years. Baptized in a PC US church in 44, confirmed in 55 (my dog tags say “Presbyterian”), ordained an elder in 83, active in PDA for 5 years, renounced my elder ordination in 2013, resigned membership and moved on. I admit I check on PCUSA from time to time to see how bad it has gotten but I’ll never be back. Probably quit checking as it will never come back, just die a slow death.
Reading your post, it occurred to me that some of those who participated in the survey might have done so under duress. There’s a certain level of paranoia between local church leaders and the grand wizards. For example, I’ve seen a number of instances where ministers and others in leadership who don’t bow to presbyteries, and on up, suffer unfortunate events in their careers, and/or their churches receive a really cold shoulder (the shunning went on for years) from the ‘powers.’
You conservatives do the same thing. My church wants to keep the property and leave PCUSA and now I have to find another church. They didn’t check up on me to see if I found another church, And they did not try to keep people from leaving. They just started making sermons that hinted their stance and acted smug.
Patrician, Sounds like your Church and Pastor took a stand on God’s Word, which to revisionist seems smug.
I decided to buy the stocks that were divested in order to counter the unbalanced stance toward Israel.
“Fifty-sex” percent believe that PCUSA affiliation is important? Type-o or some sort of Freudian slip? lol…