The First Presbyterian Church of Orlando (FPCO) has broken with the Presbyterian Church USA and joined the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Church members voterd 1,759 to 185 on Sunday to take this “historic step,” a statement released by FPCO said.
Under consideration by church elders since April 2011, the move comes against the backdrop of recent decisions by the Presbyterian Church USA, which FPCO leaders and members felt weakened their position on several core doctrines, the statement added.
“This move places us in a denomination that shares our Biblical and missional values, and allows us to continue creating ministry in the way that God is calling us. We believe that Christ alone is our Savior and Lord, and we rejoice in proclaiming that hope to the world,” said Dr. David D. Swanson, Senior Pastor, FPCO.
First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, established in 1876, is located in the heart of downtown Orlando Florida at Church St. and Rosalind Avenue.
Efforts to obtain more information from FPCO on decisions taken on “core doctrines” by the Presbyterian Church USA, were unsuccessful.
