Presbyterians Will Use Gift on New Churches
<i> From Times Wire Services</i>
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) is hoping that a $6-million gift from Sam Walton, founder of a retail operation noted for astonishing growth, will lead the denomination toward similar gains.
Church leaders announced plans this week for an aggressive church-planting campaign, using $3 million of the gift from Walton, founder of Wal-Mart Stores, to provide incentives for Presbyterians who want to build churches.
The denomination has been plagued by a 25-year membership decline that has affected virtually all mainline Protestant denominations.
Any presbytery that applies to the denomination’s national offices for a building loan will also get a grant from proceeds of the endowment.
