Struthers Presbyterian Church members hear from both sides before secession vote

YOUNGSTOWN — Each side in a theological dispute will be able to address members of Struthers Presbyterian Church before they vote Sunday whether to secede from the Presbyterian Church USA and its Eastminster Presbytery.

Lawyers for the Struthers church and the presbytery reached an agreement this afternoon, under which each side will have 10 minutes to present its views in a congregational meeting that will immediately follow the 11 a.m. Sunday service.

The Struthers church’s session, which is its board of trustees, unanimously recommended last month that the local church become independent and sever its affiliation with the national church and the presbytery “for theological reasons of conscience.”

The Struthers church finds the national church too liberal concerning marriage and other issues, including the divinity of Jesus Christ, said Atty. Forrest A. Norman, the local church’s Cleveland lawyer.

For the complete story, see Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com