By Maggie Jones, The Knoxville News SentinelA decision made by Presbyterian Church U.S.A. regarding same-sex marriage has caused Second Presbyterian Church to split.
The PCUSA made the decision in June 2014 to allow ministers to perform same-sex marriages in states where it is legal, according to the PCUSA website.
Judd Shaw, general presbyter of the Presbytery of East Tennessee, emphasized the divide was based on issues with the denomination and not conflicts among members of the congregation.
“I think that amidst the congregation, those who were very upset and left and those who remained, they’re probably still friends,” said Shaw. “They just could not — the people who left — accept the denominational decisions allowing ministers in those states where it’s legal to perform those marriages. … It sounded like not so much a split between that church, as between some members of that church and the denomination.
“Both groups of people are very faithful people. One group just disagreed with the denomination to the point where they could not stay,” said Shaw.