Presbyterians vow to fight church’s liberal drift

ATLANTA — Conservatives in the Presbyterian Church (USA), dismayed by a perceived liberal drift in the church's national leadership, say they will not leave the church but instead fight to reform it from within.

The fledgling Confessing Church Movement, launched by a western Pennsylvania congregation nearly a year ago, held its first national gathering Feb. 24–27 in Atlanta. Nearly 800 pastors and lay leaders attended, representing the 1,200 congregations that have signed versions of the movement’s three-point confession.

The movement has no national leadership, budget or staff.

Congregations join by affirming a statement that affirms salvation through Jesus Christ alone, the authority and infallibility of the Bible and sexual purity within the context of marriage.