Leaving the PCUSA

This weekend I am making one of the biggest changes in my life as I will be transferring my membership from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  The Presbytery of Mid-America is meeting in Kirkwood, MO.  They start this afternoon and continue through Saturday morning.  I will be examined and, if all is found in order, will be accepted as an associate member of the Presbytery at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The decision by the PCUSA to renounce the teachings of scripture and our confessions to change the definition of marriage from a man and woman to two persons was the final straw for me.  Over the past forty five years I have worked, debated, struggled with the many issues that have come from out of our General Assembly from approval of abortion, the acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, to ordination of gays and lesbians to the offices of the church, and finally redefining the biblical teaching of marriage as man and woman.
It feels good to be joining a Christian body that holds very high the position of the scriptures as the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God and to make the Westminster documents the standards by which we are to understand the Bible and to guide our lives.  I have attended one meeting of the presbytery and was impressed with the quality of the many young men who are serving as pastors in the state of Missouri.  They are planting churches in many different locations around St. Louis and Kansas City.  And they have several men who are preparing for ministry.  Two will be examined and approved at this meeting on Friday evening.  What a difference in the vibrancy of the two denominations!  One is alive and growing; the other is diminishing.
In Monett both Presbyterian Churches are in the process of discerning whether they will leave the PCUSA and it looks like both will be taking that step in the near future.  I am sorry for Pastor Bill and Pastor Vicki because it means that they will be stepping down as leaders in these churches. My prayers will be with them as they seek God's leading for their lives.  But I am excited about the future for both of these congregations as they will be able to focus on the gospel and not all the social and political agendas of the PCUSA.
I hope to have more to say about this major change in my life in the days ahead.  Thanks for hearing my concern and I hope you will keep me in your prayers.