The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition representing some 34,000 African American and Latino churches, 15.7 million African Americans, and 15 different denominations, announced that it will be cutting ties with the Presbyterian Church (USA) since the denomination decided to redefine marriage to include same-sex marriages.
"NBCI and its membership base are simply standing on the Word of God within the mind of Christ. We urge our brothers and sisters of the PCUSA to repent and be restored to fellowship," NBCI President Rev. Anthony Evans said.
The PCUSA officially decided to redefine marriage in its constitution on March 17 when a majority of the 172 presbyteries voted to do so. Though the vote made the decision official, the actual redefinition will not be taking effect until June 21.
"No church has the right to change the Word of God. By voting to redefine marriage PCUSA automatically forfeits Christ's saving grace," he added. "There is always redemption in the body of Christ through confession of faith and adhering to Holy Scripture."
The PCUSA's decision has brought about a swirl of controversy, and strong opposition from conservative churches. The first church to leave the PCUSA since the approval to redefine marriage is Brighton Presbyterian Church, a 200-year-old New York church which decided to leave on the 26th.
"Our reason for leaving is centered on the status of biblical interpretation within the PC(USA). We believe that Scripture's meaning and intent should not be altered to fit a current culture," Kerry E. Luddy, a spokeswoman for Brighton, told the Christian Post. Brighton has not yet decided which denomination to affiliate itself with.
PCUSA also ordained the first lesbian couple to be ordained in the history of the denomination days after the decision to redefine marriage. Kaci Clark-Porter and Holly were ordained on March 22 at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Delaware.
