Another local Presbyterian church is asking Pittsburgh Presbytery to dismiss it from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the more theologically conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

However, unlike some larger Presbyterian congregations that sought similar realignment, the tiny Fourth Presbyterian Church congregation in Friendship has not asked to keep its property. The vote to change denominations was 27-2 on Sunday, said the Rev. Doug Portz, acting pastor to Pittsburgh Presbytery.

The church took the vote "after prayerful consideration and working in a spirit together to honor Christ," said the Rev. Portz, who said that one of the congregation's elders had authorized him to speak about it on behalf of the congregation as well as the presbytery. Although the church is not asking to keep its building, issues regarding a property settlement will be worked out before the presbytery votes on the request for dismissal at a future meeting, he said.

The pastor of Fourth Presbyterian, the Rev. David Shrader, has said that he intends to remain in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and will not be leaving with his congregation, the Rev. Portz said.

Fourth is the third church in Pittsburgh Presbytery to ask for dismissal to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The churches that have done so locally and nationally say they believe that the Presbyterian Church (USA) tolerates dissent on core doctrinal issues such as the belief in salvation through Christ alone, and also object to what they perceive as a growing disregard for traditional Christian sexual ethics.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.