Related Research Articles
The Presbyterian Church (USA), abbreviated PCUSA, is a mainline Protestant denomination in the United States. It is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, known for its liberal stance on doctrine and its ordaining of women and members of the LGBT community as elders and ministers. The Presbyterian Church (USA) was established with the 1983 merger of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, whose churches were located in the Southern and border states, with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, whose congregations could be found in every state.
Presbyterianpolity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply. Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders known as the presbytery or classis; presbyteries can be grouped into a synod, and presbyteries and synods nationwide often join together in a general assembly. Responsibility for conduct of church services is reserved to an ordained minister or pastor known as a teaching elder, or a minister of the word and sacrament.
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the second-largest Presbyterian church body, behind the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the largest conservative Calvinist denomination in the United States. The PCA is Reformed in theology and presbyterian in government.
The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) was the largest branch of Presbyterianism in the United States from May 28, 1958, to 1983. It was formed by the union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA), often referred to as the "Northern" Presbyterian Church, with the United Presbyterian Church of North America (UPCNA), a smaller church of Covenanter-Seceder tradition at a conference in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May 1958. Vigorous ecumenical activity on the part of PCUSA leaders led to this merger, something of a reunion of two long-separated branches of the larger Presbyterian family deriving from the British Isles.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) is an American church body holding to presbyterian governance and Reformed theology. It is a conservative Calvinist denomination. It is most distinctive for its approach to the way it balances certain liberties across congregations on "non-essential" doctrines, such as egalitarianism /complementarianism in marriage or the ordination of women, alongside an affirmation of core "essential" doctrinal standards.
John M. Buchanan was the pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois, United States, the second largest congregation in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Walter Franklin McLean, is a former Canadian politician.
Eugene Carson Blake was an American Presbyterian Church leader.
Harold John Arthur was the 68th governor of Vermont from 1950 to 1951. He also served as the 64th lieutenant governor of Vermont from 1949 to 1950.
More Light Presbyterians is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing and ensuring the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in the Presbyterian Church (USA). As of 2024, the organization's membership includes over 330 congregations and thousands of individuals.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted a policy of "phased, selective divestment" from certain American corporations operating in Israel beginning in 2004, as a means of influencing the government of Israel. This policy has been controversial both within and outside of the denomination, even resulting in charges of antisemitism. The policy was changed in 2006 by another vote of the General Assembly.
Matthew Heyden "Matt" Smith is an American politician. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 37th district from January 2013 until June 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2007 to 2012. He was elected to the State Senate in the 2012 election.
Attitudes in Presbyterianism toward homosexuality vary, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance.
Deborah L. Halvorson is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 11th congressional district from 2009 until 2011. Previously, she served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 through 2009. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, she filed to run in the newly redistricted 2nd congressional district but was defeated in the Democratic primary by the incumbent, Jesse Jackson Jr.
Ann Leila Kirkpatrick is an American politician and retired attorney who served as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 2nd congressional district from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented Arizona's 1st congressional district from 2009 to 2011, and again from 2013 to 2017. Kirkpatrick was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2005 to 2007.
Lawrence Webb is an academic administrator and former politician from Springfield, Virginia. He was elected in 2008 to the Falls Church City Council, becoming the first openly gay, African-American elected official in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He ran for re-election in 2012 but lost. He was elected to the Falls Church City School Board in November 2013. Webb was selected by his fellow board members to serve as chair of the board in 2017. He ran and was re-elected in 2017 to the school board and was selected to serve a second year as chair of the board.
Bruce Reyes-Chow is a teaching elder (minister) of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Kevin Mullin is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 15th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a member of the California State Assembly from the 22nd district, which encompasses most of the San Francisco Peninsula region, from 2012 to 2022.
Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer, is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives who has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since his appointment in December 2012. He represents the 100th district which includes all or parts of Adams County, Brown County, Calhoun County, Greene County, Jersey County, Macoupin County, Madison County, Morgan County, Pike County, and Scott County.
Bradley A. Stephens is a Republican Party politician currently serving as state representative from the 20th district within the Illinois General Assembly and the village president (mayor) of Rosemont, Illinois.
References
- ↑ "The Layman Online". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-09-06.
- ↑ "Clifton Kirkpatrick decides not to seek another term as Stated Clerk". www.pres-outlook.com. 2007-09-10. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31.
