Presbyterian Church in the US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Presbyterian Church in the US - Essay Example The Presbyterian Church of the United States, or PCUS, separated from the Old School Presbyterianism, or the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, or PCUSA, during the beginning of the Civil War in the United States in May 1861. This is because the Old School Presbyterian Church declared that loyalty to the United States should be a national duty. The PCUS, however, retained its â€Å"Old School† heritage despite the split, and only changed in the 20th century as a response to the demands of the changing south. Prior to this change and especially during the war, it was known as the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of America (â€Å"A Brief History†). All throughout the early 20th century, the issues surrounding the PCUS included talks of unity with the Northern Presbyterians or the PCUSA and the denomination that succeeded it, namely the United Presbyterian Church in the USA, or the UPCUSA. However, the only moment that the PCUS and the UPCUSA worked together was during the Consultation on Church Union in 1962. During this time, the PCUS joined the UPCUSA, the United Church of Christ, the United Methodists and the Episcopalians in carrying out the endeavor (â€Å"A Brief History†). The PCUS further split into three factions during the civil rights movement. The liberal group wanted the church to be directly involved in the promotion of racial desegregation and voting in society. The moderates wanted a church consensus on the matter first. The conservatives, on the other hand, did not want the PCUS to be involved in social issues since the 19th century theologian James Henley Thornwell once stated in the doctrines of the Church that the church courts of the Presbyterian Church should not get involved with social reform issues (â€Å"A Brief History†). The conservatives of the Presbyterian Church then began the institution of the Presbyterian Church in