3 Calif. Presbyterian churches leave denomination

Three Presbyterian congregations in the San Joaquin Valley are breaking with the faith’s national denomination in a rift over the Bible and homosexuality.

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clovis, First Presbyterian Church in Fresno and Fowler Presbyterian Church all have held services this month to join the conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church based in Michigan.

A similar break of conservative Episcopal congregations from the national church has sparked property and other financial disputes. But local leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) say this divorce has been amicable.

The breakaway congregations will keep their church properties and have agreed to fulfill financial pledges for ministries run by the Presbytery of San Joaquin, which has about 7,000 members.