THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (PCA)
AND HOMOSEXUALITY

History, beliefs, practices, books, Harvest USA

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Presbyterian history:

Presbyterian churches are part of the Reform (a.k.a. Calvinist) tradition. The movement was first established in Scotland under John Knox.

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the largest American denomination within the conservative wing of the Presbyterian movement. The World Almanac and Book of Facts for 2004 estimates their membership at 306,784 members among 1498 congregations. Its membership is increasing. The same source reported that they had 279,000 members in 1999. The Almanac estimates that the more liberal denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), as having 3,445,952 members among 11,142 congregations; its membership is in decline. There are also seven smaller Presbyterian denominations of which the largest has about 40,060 members. ₁

The history of the Presbyterian movement in the United States contains many schisms based on moral and theological questions, often subsequently followed by mergers.

PCA Beliefs:

The denomination's stated purpose is to be "faithful to the Scriptures, true to the reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission." Their Reformed (a.k.a. Calvinistic) tradition is largely based on the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, which was composed in 1645 CE. They have deleted two sections. One prohibited marrying one's wife's kindred; the other referred to the Pope as the antichrist.

They believe that the authors of the books of the Bible were inspired by God to write biblical text which is free of error. Thus, the Bible is both inerrant and infallible. The PCA is active in missionary work, and outreach to hospitals, educational institutions, prisons and the military.

PCA Practices:

Church officers include teaching elders, ruling elders and deacon. ₃ Only men are permitted to hold one of these offices; women are automatically excluded, regardless of their ability, gifts, and talents. Elders, deacons, and ministers must agree to a loyalty oath in which they confirm their belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible. They must also agree to "receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of the PCA." As part of their ordination vow, they promise to inform their Presbytery in the event that they find themselves "out of accord with any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine." ₃

Their Book of Church Order does not include any specific mention of the terms "homosexual," "gay," "lesbian," or "sexual orientation."

Books on the Presbyterian Church in America:

Harvest USA:

Harvest USA is an agency affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America. They provide support for gays and lesbians who are "seeking freedom from homosexuality." They also have support groups for parents, wives, and families of homosexuals. Harvest USA has offices in Philadelphia, PA and Chattanooga, TN. ₁₃

They view homosexual behavior as a pathology -- a method of "relating that tends to rationalize one's sins, blame shift, and live in a sort of self-pitying victimization mind set." They view Satan as a living, supernatural being who takes an active role influencing each homosexual's life, working to keep him or her addicted to the "lifestyle." After spending some time in the group, a client may "...come into the light, begin to confess, begin to believe God's truth, and actually begin to 'struggle well' with integrity....They begin to see that homosexuality is only a symptom of deeper rebellion. Hopefully, they begin to see a loving and patient God who is wooing them to Himself. It's then they can experience the love, forgiveness, and grace of God which leads to deeper repentance."

In their doctrinal statement, they maintain "...that God has always called men and women out of homosexuality or other sexual sin patterns and into the new life of His kingdom through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Thus any attempt to claim, cultivate, or promote a gay identity for oneself is out of place in a confessing Christian since it necessarily competes with the holy identity in Christ that every believer had been given and must claim by faith."

They do not publish their success rates. However, similar groups affiliated with other religious groups report being able to convince some sexually active homosexuals that God expects them to adopt a life of celibacy. They also are able to convince some bisexuals that God wants them to confine their relationships to members of the opposite sex.

Transformational ministries, like Harvest USA, are believed to have essentially no success at actually changing their clients' sexual orientation. Such "cure" rates are typically much less than 1%. 

References:

1. "The World Almanac and Book of Facts," World Almanac Books, (2004), Page 610.
2. "Presbyterian Church in America," Adherents.com, at: http://www.adherents.com/Na_515.html
3. "The Book of Church Order...," at: http://www.pcanet.org/BCO

Copyright © 2002 and 2004 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.
Latest update 2004-DEC-20
Author: B.A. Robinson