Cumberland
Presbyterian
Church in America
Our Roots:
We have history and affiliation with the Presbyterian and Reformed family of churches. Our roots go back to the Presbyterian beginnings in Switzerland and Scotland. The divisions which led to the formation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church can be traced back to the First Great Awakening. At that time, Presbyterians split between the Old Side (mainly congregations of Scottish and Scots-Irish extraction), who favored a doctrinally-oriented church with a highly-educated ministry; and a New Side (mainly of English extraction) who put greater emphasis on the revivalistic techniques championed by the Great Awakening. The formal split between Old Side and New Side only lasted from 1741 to 1758, but the two orientations remained present in the reunified church and would come to the fore again during the Second Great Awakening.
The Cumberland Presbyterian denomination was made up of the expelled members of the Presbyterian Church and others in the area when Kentucky Synod dissolved the original Cumberland Presbytery. There is historical evidence in the writings of several of the founders that indicate they did not intend the split to be permanent, and certainly did not anticipate a long-standing separate denomination. The Red River Meeting House in Logan County, Ky., marks the location of the revival meeting thought by some to have given rise to the first organized Cumberland Presbyterian congregation. The history, heritage, and practices in worship of the denomination are of paramount importance to many Cumberland Presbyterians. "Cumberland" came from the area's name (the Cumberland River valley); "Presbyterian" described the form of government. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized/ founded in Dickson County, Tennessee, February 4, A.D. 1810.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA), a primarily African-American denomination, split from the primarily white Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1874.
The CPCA denomination has previously been known as the Colored Cumberland. In 1992 the name of the Second Cumberland Presbyterian Church was changed to Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. This name change is reflected in the Introduction of the 1984 publication of the Confession of Faith.
Relations between the two groups have for the most part been very cordial, and many of the CPCA ministers have trained at Memphis Theological Seminary. A reunion attempt on the part of both denominations failed to win approval in the late 1980s. The leadership of the CPCA or African American church wanted equal representation on all boards and agencies, feeling that otherwise we would be swallowed up by the larger white church. The joint commitment drafting the plan of union agreed and made such a stipulation in its reporting to the General Assembly. However, many in the white, rural, southern-based church were not willing to cede that much power, and balked at the plan. No other plans for a re-union have been attempted.
It remains what many in the church today view as a great historical tragedy that in the 21st century these very small denominations with such a close heritage have not found a way to come together across racial lines. However, our two denominations share a Confession of Faith and cooperate in many common ministries.
Partial Union The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America held concurrent 2006 general assemblies in Birmingham, Ala. in celebration of 300 years of Presbyterianism in North America, and the confessional differences between the denominations have largely disappeared.
Some Distinguishing Facts
REFERENCES
http://www.cumberland.org/hfcpc/cpca/index.htm
http://www.cumberland.org/center/
http://www.cumberland.org/gao/confession/confess.htm
http://cpcachurch.org
Cumberland Presbyterian Resource Center
1978 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
1-800-333-2772 or 1-901-276-4581
Presbyterian
Church in America
Our Roots:
We have history and affiliation with the Presbyterian and Reformed family of churches. Our roots go back to the Presbyterian beginnings in Switzerland and Scotland. The divisions which led to the formation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church can be traced back to the First Great Awakening. At that time, Presbyterians split between the Old Side (mainly congregations of Scottish and Scots-Irish extraction), who favored a doctrinally-oriented church with a highly-educated ministry; and a New Side (mainly of English extraction) who put greater emphasis on the revivalistic techniques championed by the Great Awakening. The formal split between Old Side and New Side only lasted from 1741 to 1758, but the two orientations remained present in the reunified church and would come to the fore again during the Second Great Awakening.
The Cumberland Presbyterian denomination was made up of the expelled members of the Presbyterian Church and others in the area when Kentucky Synod dissolved the original Cumberland Presbytery. There is historical evidence in the writings of several of the founders that indicate they did not intend the split to be permanent, and certainly did not anticipate a long-standing separate denomination. The Red River Meeting House in Logan County, Ky., marks the location of the revival meeting thought by some to have given rise to the first organized Cumberland Presbyterian congregation. The history, heritage, and practices in worship of the denomination are of paramount importance to many Cumberland Presbyterians. "Cumberland" came from the area's name (the Cumberland River valley); "Presbyterian" described the form of government. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized/ founded in Dickson County, Tennessee, February 4, A.D. 1810.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA), a primarily African-American denomination, split from the primarily white Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1874.
The CPCA denomination has previously been known as the Colored Cumberland. In 1992 the name of the Second Cumberland Presbyterian Church was changed to Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. This name change is reflected in the Introduction of the 1984 publication of the Confession of Faith.
Relations between the two groups have for the most part been very cordial, and many of the CPCA ministers have trained at Memphis Theological Seminary. A reunion attempt on the part of both denominations failed to win approval in the late 1980s. The leadership of the CPCA or African American church wanted equal representation on all boards and agencies, feeling that otherwise we would be swallowed up by the larger white church. The joint commitment drafting the plan of union agreed and made such a stipulation in its reporting to the General Assembly. However, many in the white, rural, southern-based church were not willing to cede that much power, and balked at the plan. No other plans for a re-union have been attempted.
It remains what many in the church today view as a great historical tragedy that in the 21st century these very small denominations with such a close heritage have not found a way to come together across racial lines. However, our two denominations share a Confession of Faith and cooperate in many common ministries.
Partial Union The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America held concurrent 2006 general assemblies in Birmingham, Ala. in celebration of 300 years of Presbyterianism in North America, and the confessional differences between the denominations have largely disappeared.
Some Distinguishing Facts
- What is Presbyterian? The word actually refers to a form of church government more than to a theology. We are Presbyterian in government rather than Congregational or Episcopal. Our units of government are: session, presbytery, synod, and general assembly. We are a connectional Church, related on all levels. As congregations we are related to the whole.Is there any difference between the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America and other Presbyterian or Reformed denominations? Yes. We have a distinct accent, life, and ministry; and though similar, we differ from the Christian Reformed Church, Presbyterian Church USA, the Reformed Church of America, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and other like denominations. Information about the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America can be found http://cpcachurch.org
- Where is CPCA doctrine found? The doctrine of the Cumberland Presbyterian is published in the “Confession of Faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches”. Copyright 1984 by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Confession of Faith is available on-line at http://cpcachurch.org. Printed copies can be obtained by contacting the Cumberland Presbyterian Resource Center at 1978 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104; phone number(s) 1-800-333-2772 or 1-901-276-4581.
- How is the CPCA organized? Since the government of the church should have order and be effective, it is necessary that it possess clear and reasonable form. The legislative, administrative, and judicial bodies (sometimes referred to as judicatories in the Presbyterian family) are in regular gradation, session, presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly.
- How does the church operate? The connectional nature of the church is expressed in the following governmental structure. The session exercises pastoral oversight and jurisdiction over a particular church; the presbytery over ordained ministers, sessions, and churches within a prescribed area; the synod over presbyteries, ministers, sessions, and churches within a prescribed area; and the General Assembly over synods, presbyteries, ministers, sessions, and churches. The authority of each level of church government is limited by the stated provisions of the church's constitution. Although each judicatory exercises exclusive original jurisdiction over all the matters specifically belonging to it, the lower judicatories are subject to the review and control of the higher judicatories in regular gradation
- Where is the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America Denominational Headquarters? ---- The CPCA Headquarters is located at 226 Church Street NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35801-5596; Phone: 256-536-7481.
- What is the General Assembly? The General Assembly is the highest judicatory of this church and represents in one body all the particular churches. It meets once a year at the place determined by the commissioners selected from the presbyteries, with representation being determined by membership of a presbytery. Information about the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America can be found http://cpcachurch.org
- What are the elected offices of the General Assembly? The officers of the General Assembly shall be Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Stated Clerk, and Engrossing Clerk. Each must be elected by the General Assembly for specified terms. The Moderator and Vice-Moderator must be a certified Commissioner from a presbytery during each year of service.
- When is the next meeting of the CPCA General Assembly? The next General Assembly is scheduled for June 2014 - hosted by Hiwassee Presbytery in Chattanooga, Tenneessee.
- What role do women play in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America? Women are active in all areas of our denominational ministry. In 1889, we were the first Presbyterian or reformed body to ordain women for the ministry. We also regularly ordain women as church officers.
- How big is the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America today? The CPCA is comprised of 113 churches, 201 ministers and 7,463 disciples (members). As you access the website, you will find listed each particular church, along with the pastor and stated clerk, according to their presbytery. There are four (4) synods in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, (Alabama Synod/Kentucky Synod/ Tennessee Synod/Texas Synod/). There are (16) presbyteries dispersed among the (4) Synods. Only a few of our churches have over 500 members. The denomination, though small, has become a vital, creative, outreaching, and loyal steward of its mission. We maintain a program far out of proportion to our size.
- What is the CPCA Official Publication or Periodical? The Cumberland Flag is the Official periodical of the denomination.
REFERENCES
http://www.cumberland.org/hfcpc/cpca/index.htm
http://www.cumberland.org/center/
http://www.cumberland.org/gao/confession/confess.htm
http://cpcachurch.org
Cumberland Presbyterian Resource Center
1978 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
1-800-333-2772 or 1-901-276-4581