Kirk of the Hills

Kirk of the Hills is a 2,600-member evangelical mega-church in Tulsa, Oklahoma pastored by Tom Gray, a well-known conservative internet blogger. Tom Gray and Kirk of the Hills made headlines within conservative political circles when it decided to disafiliate from the Presbyterian Church (USA) [ [http://www.thekirk.com/Public/home/hom_calen_press_release.html Kirk of the Hills Disaffiliates from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)] - published August 16, 2006 (retrieved October 16, 2006)] . Currently the church is independent, but is planning on joining the Evangelical Presbyterian Church [ [http://tomgrayofthekirk.blogspot.com/2006/10/joining-epc.html Joining the EPC] - published October 10, 2006 (retrieved October 16, 2006)] (EPC).

On August 15, 2006 the session of the Kirk of the Hills voted to leave the PC(USA), citing spiritual differences [ [http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1424036.html Oklahoma Megachurch Departs PCUSA, Cites Scriptural Issues] - September 14, 2006 (retrieved October 16, 2006)] and a fear that their property would be lost if they waited longer to leave. For some time the Kirk had taken a strong conservative stance on many issues within the PC(USA), and was one of the leaders of the New Wineskins movement within the denomination. Among other issues the Kirk was unhappy with the approval of the PUP report number 5 at the most recent general assembly. As expected the decision to dissafiliate sparked a legal battle betweent the Kirk of the Hills and the PC(USA) [ [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/october/15.27.html PCUSA megachurch disaffiliates] - published September 28, 2006 (retrieved October 16, 2006)] as both filed claim to the property. The case is being watched closely by other like minded churches within the PC(USA) who are also considering leaving the denomination. Kirk of the Hills lost in a summary judgement on 9/9/08. Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery has requested conferrence of real property from the congregation.

Kirk of the Hills differs from many conservative Presbyterian congregations in the Sun Belt. While the congregation is very conservative on social and political issues such as ordination of homosexuals, it differs greatly from more traditional Presbyterians in worship style and theology. In attempting to affiliate with the tiny EPC rather than the historic Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) or the much larger, more fundamentalist Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), Kirk of the Hills is embracing a more emotional, less Calvinistic approach to worship than that practiced by traditional conservative Presbyterians.

References

External links

* [http://www.thekirk.com Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church Official Site]
* [http://tomgrayofthekirk.blogspot.com/ Blog by Pastor Tom Gray] (no longer updated)
* [http://kirkdocs.blogspot.com/ Blog on Legal Fight - Presbylaw]