Churches Cut Ties with PCUSA over Gay Marriage

A coalition of 34,000 churches is ending its relationship with the Presbyterian Church USA over its decision to recognize same-sex marriage.

The National Black Church Initiative is made up of churches from 15 denominations and 15.7 million African-Americans.

Charisma Magazine reports the NBCI decided to break fellowship with the 1.7 million-member PCUSA because it revised its Constitution to change the definition of marriage to include gay couples.

"NBCI and its membership base are simply standing on the Word of God within the mind of Christ. We urge our brother and sisters of the PCUSA to repent and be restored to fellowship," NBCI president Anthony Evans told Charisma.

"PCUSA's manipulation represents a universal sin against the entire church and its members. With this action, PCUSA can no longer base its teachings on 2,000 years of Christian scripture and tradition and call itself a Christian entity in the body of Christ. It has forsaken its right by this single wrong act," Evans said.

The PCUSA approved a measure changing the denomination's definition of marriage last June, but it still had to be approved by a majority of its 171 local presbyteries. This month, the 86th presbytery voted in favor of the language, making the change official.

The PCUSA now defines marriage as a "unique commitment between two people."

The church exempts elders who believe gay marriage is against Scripture from having to perform such services.