A congregation serving northeast Pennsylvania for more than two centuries finds itself part of a new denomination after opting to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA).
First Presbyterian Church of Hallstead, located in Susquehanna County near the New York border just south of Binghamton, was dismissed from the PCUSA during the Jan. 25 meeting of Lackawanna Presbytery to become a member of ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.
The dismissal ended a process that lasted about 13 months for the 42-member church, founded in 1789, and was one that proved to be gracious, according to an email sent to The Layman by Hallstead Clerk of Session Kenneth Robinson.
“This dismissal process was very amicable,” Robinson wrote. “We had a wonderful Presbytery Engagement Team (PET) that walked with us through the final discernment process. When the PET got to know us and agreed that we were being called to leave the PCUSA and join ECO, they were gracious and helpful.”
The Hallstead session had been praying about and discussing the possibility of leaving the PCUSA for about two years before bringing such a recommendation to the congregation.
After several informational meetings in the summer of 2012 and a non-binding straw poll in September of that year, an official letter requesting dismissal was sent to Lackawanna Presbytery in October.
The final congregational vote on departure from the PCUSA and alignment with ECO in December 2013 yielded a 28-1 margin in support of leaving the national denomination.
The congregation agreed to pay a decreasing percentage of per capita for the next four years as well as a small mission gift to the presbytery in exchange for keeping its building and all other assets, a settlement deemed equitable by Hallstead’s membership, Robinson noted.
A need to leave, join ECO
The decision to seek dismissal was made for several reasons. Robinson indicated that church leaders have witnessed a steady drift of PCUSA leadership away from the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of salvation offered by God through the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Robinson also pointed out that during the 220th General Assembly in Pittsburgh in 2012, Scripture was not acknowledged as the guiding authority to resolve questions of belief and practice, further troubling the Hallstead congregation.
But with ECO, now more than two years into its existence, there is a strong missional focus and firm stance on the essential tents of faith for the denomination, including the authority of Scripture and the truth that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Such emphases resonated with the Hallstead congregation.
Continuing the journey
While still relatively new to the ECO scene, Hallstead’s membership is ready to take the next step in the journey God has been directing.
“We have taken just a moment to catch our collective breath and are now looking to discern how God wants us to continue this rebirth,” Robinson wrote. “We have made contacts for joining a Missional Affinity Group within ECO to encourage one another and share ideas about outreach.”
Robinson also pointed out that the path followed has been one that has proven to be rewarding for the Hallstead congregation.
“Although it was long and at times difficult, our journey through the dismissal process was actually a blessing,” Robinson wrote. “As can easily happen, we had become somewhat complacent. Through the process of discerning whether God was calling to this new thing, the congregation has been unified. We are reawakening to Jesus’ call to go out into the world with the Gospel, and to depend on Him for the strength and the means with which to do it. If God is calling you to leave where you are it is to bring you to where He wants you to be and to bring you closer to Him in the process.”
6 Comments. Leave new
I pray that God will bless FPC Hallstead in this new phase of its mission.
But I notice the photo accompanying the article shows a sanctuary with at least eight rows of pews. I would guess at least eight people could sit in a pew. Multiply that by the two sides of pews, and the sanctuary can hold 128 — more, if there are additional pews behind the camera’s view. Yet only 29 members voted on the decision to leave PCUSA. So it’s one of many, many congregations hanging on by a thread.
After David fled Jerusalem and prayed for guidance on the Mount of Olives he sent spies to frustrate Absalom’s counselor and record every step of the rebellious regime. 2 Sam. 15:33-36. I assume, Don, that what you’re seeing is the part of the church on the Pennsylvania side of the border, in the Lackawanna Presbytery. The remaining members – those in the invisible back pews – are too preoccupied with the New York/Pennsylvania border-dispute to get involved in denominational politics.
Despise not the day of small beginnings! This is a new beginning for the church. God is directing churches both large and small in number into ECO and I believe this new way in the Presbyterian church of proclaiming Jesus as The Way, The Truth and The Life, the only way to the Father, lifting Jesus higher-we are going to witness revival and growth. Let’s prepare the way and make ourselves ready together for this adventure into the Kingdom! Blessings to you Hallstead. Praise God for a gracious Presbytery!
Right on, Beth. 1 Sam. 26:25: “Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.” And blessed be the presbytery that let the Hallsteaders leave! And blessed David, who brought the kingdom to shambles!
As a long time resident of hallstead I am very concerned about the on going problems with the former FPC of hallstead putting up blockades and shunning neighbors. How could they expect to build membership if they close out the public and threaten people just letting you know how its realy going here in hallstead
I have lived in Susquehanna county my whole life. Growing up I always thought the church was a place of safety, love, support, etc. A few weeks ago my husband and I went for a nice ride. I have always loved the First Presbyterian Church and it’s beauty. I was very upset to see the barriers that were put up at the end of the parking lot. Why would the church make a decision like this? I was under the impression the church’s mission was to set a good example? I just feel awful for the people who are living in homes on that road. I am verydidisappointed in the church. I don’t feel as though god would approve in shutting people out. “Love thy neighbor”