EDGE Dallas

More than two decades after Scott Anderson told his California congregation that he was gay and therefore must resign as its pastor, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) is preparing to welcome him back with mostly open arms.

Presbyterians in Mexico are breaking ties with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because of differences over homosexuality.

The Rev. Jean Southard, a retired minister in the Boston Presbytery, faced a three-year trial after she officiated a same-sex couple’s wedding in 2008. She described the Presbyterian Church’s decision to allow openly gay and lesbian ministers as a step in

American people of faith celebrated another milestone on July 10, when the Presbyterian Church (USA) officially eradicated an anti-gay policy barring openly gay and lesbian clerics.

Anglican bishops on both sides of the issue of gay clergy have come together to discuss the issue, while a Presbyterian church trial has cleared a gay pastor who married his same-sex spouse in California in 2008.

Presbyterian leaders voted Thursday to allow non-celibate gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy, approving the first of two policy changes that could make their church one of the most gay-friendly major Christian denominations in the U.S.

Last year, the Presbyterian church upheld a 1996 policy that requires gay clergy to be celibate, and disqualifies gays living family lives with same-sex partners from ordination. But the country’s largest presbytery has voted to ordain an openly gay, partnered candidate.

A poll of the nation’s Presbyterians yields insights on beliefs around salvation, gays.