2,700-member Tulsa church poised to leave the PC(USA)

I am consistently amazed at what I see as ignoring ordination vows. In this story from the Presbyterian Church USA the church and the pastors certainly have the option to leave.

2,700-member Tulsa church poised to leave the PC(USA)

Congregation meeting Wednesday to "affirm" session decision

by Jerry Van Marter

LOUISVILLE * Members of the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in
Tulsa will meet tonight (Aug. 30) to "affirm" the unanimous decision of
the church's session two weeks ago to leave the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) and affiliate with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).

The congregation * which will meet in closed session * will also be
asked to "affirm the ordinations" of the Kirk's co-pastors, the Revs.
Thomas W. Gray and Roger Wayne Hardy. Both of them renounced the
jurisdiction of the PC(USA) when the session voted to bolt the
denomination and have not as yet been received as ministers by the EPC.

Yet it seems to me that if you as a minister can no longer live with the policies and decisions of a denomination you should leave and let the congregation know why, but not try to take the congregation with you. The PC(USA) or the predecssor denominations spent time and money planting the congregation. The denomination has supported the congretation at different times. The property and the congregation are not just responsible for the current status, but the inherit a legacy and hold it in trust for the next generation. That is the clear belief of presbyterians as has been stated in various formulations through the years.

I am saddened by the congregation's decision and that of the pastors, but they also need to leave in a Christian fashion. Making a decision in a fashion that ignores the constitution of their denomination is selfish and inconsiderate, or less than Christian.