"Remaining in PCUSA Is the More Difficult Decision": Pastor Commends Colleagues in PCUSA

Amidst the public discussion that was aroused by Zion Presbyterian Church’s recent announcement that it plans to leave the PCUSA, Reverend Daniel Lee, the senior pastor of Zion Presbyterian Church, posted a statement on Facebook saying, “I feel sorry towards my fellow colleagues of other churches. I hope our issues will not cause any inconvenience or problems for others.”

Zion Presbyterian is a part of the Sacramento Presbytery, which differs from other presbyteries in that it revised its Gracious Dismissal Policy in May in a way that makes it difficult for a church to be able to be dismissed from the PCUSA while maintaining its property.

Despite the changes in the policy, however, Zion Presbyterian still decided by a 97 percent majority vote during its most recent congregational meeting on August 30 that it still desires to be dismissed from the denomination.

The overwhelming majority vote comes even as the congregation members understand that leaving the denomination also means losing some $3 million in church property. The congregation currently consists of some 300 members.

“I want to again thank those who have been blessing our congregation’s decision, breathing courage into us, and praying for us,” Lee wrote. However, he added, “As the news spread about our decision, my heart became heavy. Our decision is not necessarily something we wanted to brag about. It was simply done by God’s grace. It wasn’t because we have a special kind of faith or courage or righteousness.”

“I felt sorry to the 400 some fellow churches and colleague pastors who remain in the denomination,” Lee added. “In some ways, our decision to leave the denomination was an easy one. I think the other Korean churches that decided to stay in the denomination and bring reformation from within made a more difficult and courageous decision.”

“These are the people who are enduring through others’ criticism, misunderstanding, and condemnation in order to reform the denomination. I sincerely hope that our church’s decision will not harm or bring added difficulties to those churches,” he continued.

“Each church has a different situation and story, so we can’t denigrate those who made a decision different from ours. I want to bless those colleague pastors who are fighting a lonely fight of faith. They are lonely warriors of faith that are facing a truly difficult battle.”