The embattled pastoral staff at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas (PCUSA), who conservative Christians have criticized for teaching that Jesus did not physically rise from the dead, have received a letter from the denomination’s leader expressing gratitude for their ministry and offering support and prayers.
Jim Rigby and Babs Miller are two impastors at St Andrews, which also happens to be the home church of Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico.
Through a series of public and undercover videos, it was revealed that, along with being pro-choice and pro-transing children, they don’t believe Jesus was born of a virgin, that he physically rose from the dead, or that he died for people’s sins. In fact, Miller revealed that most members were either atheists or agnostics, and argued that we have no way of knowing if Jesus even existed.
During their October 11 service, Rigby read a letter written to him by Rev. Jihyun Oh, the Stated Clerk of the PCUSA- the denomination’s senior ecclesiastical officer and highest-ranking leader- who writes that the church and pastors have her support and prayers, and that she is disregarding folks trying to sound the alarm about the church.
Dear Reverend Dr. Rigby. Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus.
I’ve been meaning to email you for a little time now, after I started receiving emails from someone who identified as Presbyterian.
The writer of the email wrote allegations about St. Andrews that she thought I should be interested in and concerned about.
I assumed that there was more going on and wondered about checking with the presbytery leaders and you. Eventually, I found out through presbytery leadership connections about what has happened with those trying to discredit this church.
I have not responded to the writer of the emails because it seemed like she was fishing for some response that she could use to further the aims of whatever group she’s working with.
But I have been praying for you and your church and the church as you face this particular time.
Is there anything that I can do beyond prayer and support? Please let me know.Grateful for your ministry and leadership.
The denomination has fallen.
The leadership of the PCUSA has anathematized the gospel.
