The Presbyterians

[spiritmech]

Okay, give me the goods. Tell me what you know. I've been going to a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church off and on now (as I mention in my blog). I enjoy it, but I know it's not the main Presbyterian branch. How many are there?

Why does being a presbyterian rock? I mention in my blog that I like the liturgy, and it's been my gateway drug to the more "hardcore" traditions (RCC/EO).

sm

[Ulmo]

Which EPC Church? I am a candidate for ministry in the EPC.

[Zipperhead]

I left the neo-pentecostal movement and joined the PCA. They use the same form of church government Paul set up in the NT, are reformed in their theology, and evangelical.

Great place to be.

[rmwilliamsjr]

i'd love to have you read my current project, the history of american presbyterianism, and comment. i'm up to the civil war this week.
EvPC's webpage is at: http://www.epc.org/

http://dakotacom.net/~rmwillia/hap0.html

[Amazing Rando]

I thought you were becoming Catholic, SM. Why don't you go through the RCIA?

[TheAnalogman]

My sig line says it all.....

[spiritmech]

I thought you were becoming Catholic, SM. Why don't you go through the RCIA?

I will. RCIA doesn't start until the fall, though. There's no "Spring semester" heh
sm

[Amazing Rando]

I will. RCIA doesn't start until the fall, though. There's no "Spring semester" heh
sm

Ah! Well I fully expect you to tell us about it when you begin, kay? I wanna hear!

[Rdr. Arsenios]

(The Presbyterian liturgy) been my gateway drug to the more "hardcore" traditions (RCC/EO).sm

A Czech friend told me that where his family emigrated from, in the old country, it was predominantly Roman Catholic, even though in the eastern part of the country. Yet there were still quite a few of "Those Hard Core Orthodox" there - The Roman Catholics there apparently regard the Orthodox faithful as "Hard-Core"... LOL! Maybe some of them are! We DO pray and fast... Is THAT hard core??

Arsenios

[Anoetos]

Okay, give me the goods. Tell me what you know. I've been going to a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church off and on now (as I mention in my blog). I enjoy it, but I know it's not the main Presbyterian branch. How many are there?

Why does being a presbyterian rock? I mention in my blog that I like the liturgy, and it's been my gateway drug to the more "hardcore" traditions (RCC/EO).

sm

There are 4 major Presbyterian groups in the USA:

The Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) is the "mainstream" denomination is generally liberal with a few conservative congregations.

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) are similar in that they are doctrinally conservative and quite self-consciously Reformed with unabashed commitment to the Westminster standards.

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) is a merged church made up of roughly equal parts general evangelicals, charismatics and Reformed people. I have heard that the General Assembly recently gave permission for sessions to ordain female elders. They are, generally, evangelical in doctrine, sometimes Reformed, sometimes cultural.

Other than these there are a few worth mentioning:

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a small, southern arminian Church which happens to practice Presbyterian polity. They are doctrinally somewhere just to the right of the PCUSA.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church North America (RPCNA) is a small conservative Presbyterian denomination whose leading characteristic seems to be a commitment to unaccompanied psalm singing and the wearing of hats for women during worship.

The Bible Presbyterian Church began from the same impetus which formed the OPC but started with a commitment to alcohol temperance and a commitment to dispensationalism. I believe they have given up the latter.

Presbyterians are called the split P's for a reason. It is to our unending shame that for all our commitment to efficient government and discipline, we have this knack for splitting over the color of the carpet in the sanctuary.

[spiritmech]

The church I've been visiting joined the ECA because it wanted women priests. It's kind of funny that somewhere in East Tennessee would jump on that side of the fence, since I assumed the more conservative stance would be no ordination of women.