First Presbyterian narrowly votes to stay with denomination

People arrive at First Presbyterian Church, today members are voting whether to leave its current denomination for a new one Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, in Houston. People arrive at First Presbyterian Church, today members are voting whether to leave its current denomination for a new one Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, in Houston. Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close First Presbyterian narrowly votes to stay with denomination 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

A hard-fought effort to move one of Houston's iconic Christian churches from its long-standing denomination to a new, more conservative group narrowly failed Sunday, with the congregation voting heavily in favor of the move but falling short of the supermajority needed for approval.

The leadership of First Presbyterian Church, which was established shortly after Houston's founding, had unanimously endorsed the move from Presbyterian Church USA to the breakaway denomination called ECO, A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. The senior pastor, his staff, and the elected leaders from the congregation argued that PCUSA, the nation's largest Presbyterian body, had become too liberal and had drifted from the church's theological foundation. But the final count fell 36 votes short out of 1,681 ballots cast.

"This is the toughest possible outcome in many people's minds," Senior Pastor Jim Birchfield said. "To fall a few votes short will be very tough for them. I'm a little bit disappointed. I came out very strongly and passionately in favor of (the move)."

Birchfield said it was too early to assess the long-term repercussions of the attempt to switch denominations, and he declined to predict whether some members will leave the church as a result. He said his immediate task is to begin smoothing over the differences for the sake of keeping the 3,100 member church intact.

"We have to begin reconciling the two sides, and that will begin immediately," he said. "We'll also begin reconciling among the leadership. For the most part, we have had a very gracious debate."

A special prayer service is scheduled for noon Monday.