National Presbyterian Church in Mexico

Protestant denomination in Mexico

National Presbyterian Church in Mexico
La Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México A.R.

Seal of the INPM

Classification| Protestant
Orientation| Presbyterian
Theology| Reformed
Polity| Presbyterian
Associations| World Communion of Reformed Churches
World Reformed Fellowship[1]
Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in the Mexican Republic
Region| Mexico
Origin| 1901
Mexico City
Branched from| Presbyterian Church in the United States
United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
Separations| National Conservative Presbyterian Church in Mexico
Independent Presbyterian Church in Mexico
Congregations| 6,000[2]
Members| 2,800,000[3]
Official website| https://www.iglesianacionalpresbiteriana.com/

The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico (Spanish: La Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México A.R.) is the second-largest Protestant church, and the largest Reformed denomination in Mexico. It is present throughout the country, and is particularly strong in the states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan, Nuevo León, Aguascalientes and Mexico City.[4]

In 2010 there was a report of more than 6,000 churches and almost 2.8 million members.[3]

## History and formation of the church

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### Early years

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The beginning of Presbyterianism in Mexico dates back to 1827 with the arrival of Diego Thompson, an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Pioneers of Presbyterianism in Mexico include: Dr. Julio Mallet Prevost, WG Allen, Melinda Rankin, Rev. AJ Park and Arcadio Morales.[5]

### The beginnings

[edit]

The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico was established by missionaries from the United States. Around 1872, the Southern and Northern Presbyterian Churches, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Congregationalist Church in the United States began working in Mexico. The Northern Presbyterian Church covered Mexico City, San Luis Potosí, Villa de Cos and in the Federal District. Later, their efforts were extended into Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Tabasco. The Southern Presbyterian Church was active in Texas and Matamoros, Tamaulipas. The first Presbyterian missionaries were Rev. Thompson and Rev. Paul H. Petkin Rev Maxwell Philips P. Mallen Ailen of the Presbyterian Church USA arrived in Veracruz. This work progressed rapidly. Rev Hutchinson stayed in Mexico City while the others moved north to Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. The Mission in Mexico started with people who broke from the Episcopal church. Mr Arcadio Morales formed the first Presbyterian congregation in Mexico. Morales planted the Divine Savior Church, he became the first pastor of the church, in 1882 the church's membership grew to 552, it became the first congregation that can sustain its pastor. Earlier in 1878 the first 11 Mexican ministers were ordained.[6]

### The First Presbytery

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On May 12, 1885 the first Presbytery, the Presbytery of Mexico City was organised. Later in 1896 a new Presbytery was organised the Presbytery of the Gulf of Mexico.[7] In the 1890s these Presbyterian missionaries united their efforts.[8][9]

### Formal establishment

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In 1901, the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico held its first synod with 73 churches and 5,500 members. Four presbyteries were represented from Mexico City, Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, and the Gulf of Mexico.[10]

In 1918, American Presbyterians, the Disciples of Christ and the Methodist church met in Cincinnati, and divided mission work in the country of Mexico between them. American Presbyterians took on the southern part of Mexico and the northern region became the mission field of the Methodists. The Presbyterians get the territory from Tampico to the South and South East, reduced work only the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, southern Veracruz and Quintana Roo territory.[7] Presbyterian churches in the north were told to become Methodists, while Methodists in the south were told to worship as Presbyterians. Many churches in Nuevo Leon and Monterrey resisted and stayed in the Presbyterian fold.[11] In Latin America–according to the Plan–the Presbyterians get Guatemala, Chile and Colombia, the Methodists get Costa Rica and Bolivia.

The National Presbyterian Church did not approve the Cincinnati Plan, considering that the national denomination has already consolidated. Rev. Leandro, who was against the Cincinnati Plan, and he and The Presbyteries of Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, quit relations with the Southern Presbyterian Church. They feared that the Plan wants to demolish Presbyterians in the North. The Methodists protested because the Presbyterians didn't give temples to the Methodist in North Mexico, but Presbyterians get the Methodist Church buildings in Cuernavaca and Toluca and Morean in the south.

On November 28, 1919, the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico was officially formed.

### New Constitution

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On July 22, 1937 a Constitution was translated by Dr. Enrique C. Thompson and approved in the General Assembly in the city of Toluca by the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico and later approved the revised edition common called the "Torres Edition".[citation needed]

### Church developments

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In the 1920s, a Ministry among the Chiapas people began first in Spanish speaking population and in 1950 an outreach among Mayan-speaking people was made, such as Chol, Tzotil, Tzeltzal indigenous groups. In 2002, the Chiapas region was reportedly among the strongholds of the denomination.[10] Six presbyteries work in the southern regions of the Chiapas, Oaxaca and Potosina and Huasteca, working with local people in their languages.[12]

In 1947 the first General Assembly was organized, with nine presbyteries, and in 1972 the denomination celebrated its 100th anniversary of life. The Mexican and US Presbyterian churches agreed to a joint effort of evangelizing.

### Recent status

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By 1972 the church didn't need any outside support. The INPM was composed of 3 synods and 18 presbyteries. The church proposed a moratorium to avoid relying on foreign missions to advance the National Church. Due to the Cincinnati Plan, the church lost a lot of schools in Northern Mexico, and it broke mission efforts in Northern Mexico for decades.

In the 1990s the church had 4,800 congregations, 1.2 million members in 40 presbyteries and 7 synods.[13]

By 1997 there were 8 synods and 50 presbyteries at the General Assembly.

National Presbyterian Church in Mexico

In Chiapas, the National Presbyterian Church has grown 10-12 percent annually, with 18,000 people joining each year.[14]

## Governance

[edit]

Presbyterian Church in Isla Mujeres Espiritu santo Presbyterian church Beerseba Presbyterian Church Playa del Carmen Presbyterian Church Monte Sínai Presbyterian Church Espiritu santo Presbyterian church in Tizimín

The church is responsible for its own government, and is administered by ruling elders, teaching elders and deacons. The church's highest court is the General Assembly.

The mid-governing body is the presbytery. Currently the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico has 69 presbyteries, scattered across the country.[15]

There are 14 synods, which are:

* The First Synod
* Yucatán Peninsula
* Federal District
* Gulf of Mexico
* Israel
* Showers of Grace
* Center
* Northeast
* Chol
* Tabasco
* Tzeltal of Chiapas
* Southeast Chiapas
* Mexiquense[16]

The latest synod, Guerrero Synod, was formed on November 12, 2012. The synod consists of 3 presbyteries:

* Pacific Presbytery with 9 churches, 11 pastors
* Ebenezer Presbytery with 6 churches and 8 pastors
* Maranatha Presbytery with 7 congregations and 10 pastors.[17]

## Theology

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National Presbyterian Church in Cancún

The theology of the church is conservative and creeds and confessions represent its Reformed and Presbyterian heritage. The liturgy is a hybrid – traditional and indigenous hymns are sung, and may be accompanied by organ or piano. The guitar is frequently used, as are metrical psalms.[18]

### Confessions

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* Westminster Confession of Faith
* Westminster Shorter Catechism
* Westminster Larger Catechism
* Heidelberg Catechism
* Canons of Dort
* Second Helvetic Confession
* Belgic Confession[5]
* The confession of faith of the Church of Scotland[19]

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin is widely used in the churches.

### Creeds

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* Apostles' Creed
* Nicene Creed
* Athanasian Creed[20]
* Chalcedonian Definition[21]

## Seminaries and Education

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* San Pablo Theological Seminary
* Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Mexico
* Juarez Institution
* Movipres Organisation[22]

## Interchurch activities

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The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Reformed Fellowship.[23][24] In July 1995, the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico and The Presbyterian church in Mexico formed the 'Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in the Mexican Republic'.[10]

The National Presbyterian Church has a relationship with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC),[25] and the Reformed Church in America (RCA).[14] It does not have any relationship with the Roman Catholic Church because of what it perceives as the Catholic Church's role in the conquest and oppression of Mexico and its people.[citation needed]

The Presbyterian Church in Chile and the National Presbyterian Church made an agreement of cooperation and planting new churches in Chile.[17]

## Recent issues

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At its 2011 General Assembly, the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico voted to end its 139-year relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because it disagreed with its decision to ordain gay and lesbian ministers. The mission partnership between these churches was also dissolved. In the same General Assembly, the Mexican church voted against the ordination of women ministers.[26] The church excluded a woman minister from the National church roll in 2013 ordained by the Communion of Presbyterian and Reformed Communion in Mexico, because differences in ways the Bible is read and understandings of women's role in the church.[27]

## Missions

[edit]

The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico performs missionary work together with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in a US-Mexican border ministry, in the southern parts of Mexico, as well as in the cities of Monterrey, Guadalajara, Acapulco, and Mexico City.[28] [29] [30] Some Reformed Christian missionaries cooperate and work for the National Presbyterian Church in Mexico.[31]

## Symbols

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### Anthem

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The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico has the hymn Sovereign Lord of the Words, authored by Félix Gómez, as its official anthem.[citation needed]

## References

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1. ^ "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx.
2. ^ "www.asociacionesreligiosas.gob.mx/work/models/AsociacionesReligiosas/pdf/Numeralia/AR_por_SGAR.pdf" (PDF).
3. ^ a b "Relatório Quadrienal da Comissão de Relação Inter-Eclesiástica" [Quadrennial Report of the Commission on Inter-Ecclesiastical Relations] (PDF) (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-17.
4. ^ "Retrieved 2013-02-09". Archived from the original on September 5, 2004.
5. ^ a b "National Presbyterian Church in Mexico homepage". www.presbiterianos.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2015-05-30. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
6. ^ (U.S.A.), Presbyterian Church (14 May 2012). "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - News & Announcements - National Presbyterian Church of Mexico begins 140th anniversary". www.pcusa.org.
7. ^ a b "HISTORIA | Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Conservadora de México A.R." Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
8. ^ Fasse, Christoph. "Overview of the worldwide reformed church". www.reformiert-online.net.
9. ^ "Reseña histórica de la INPM". 30 June 2012.
10. ^ a b c "Retrieved 2013-02-09". Archived from the original on August 17, 2004.
11. ^ "Presbyterian Border Ministry -". www.presbyterianborderministry.org. Archived from the original on 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
12. ^ Fasse, Christoph. "Overview of the worldwide reformed church". www.reformiert-online.net.
13. ^ Melton, J. Gordon; Baumann, Martin (21 September 2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 2nd Edition [6 volumes]: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598842043 – via Google Books.
14. ^ a b "The Reformed Church in America". www.rca.org.
15. ^ "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
16. ^ "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
17. ^ a b "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013.
18. ^ "Presbyterian Border Ministry -". www.presbyterianborderministry.org. Archived from the original on 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
19. ^ "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013.
20. ^ "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
21. ^ "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020.
22. ^ "Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México". presbiterianosag.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
23. ^ "Retrieved 2013-02-09". Archived from the original on November 11, 2010.
24. ^ "Retrieved 2013-02-09". Archived from the original on September 14, 2008.
25. ^ "Fraternal Relationships".
26. ^ (U.S.A.), Presbyterian Church (23 August 2011). "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - News & Announcements - Mexican Presbyterian Church votes to end 139-year-old relationship with PC(USA)". www.pcusa.org.
27. ^ "Presbyterian Mission Agency Mexico - About Our Work - Presbyterian Mission Agency". www.presbyterianmission.org.
28. ^ "mtw.org". www.mtw.org.
29. ^ "LOC Mexico Acapulco". www.mtw.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
30. ^ "LOC Mexico Monterrey". www.mtw.org. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
31. ^ "CRWM: Mexico - Christian Reformed Church". Archived from the original on 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2013-08-31.

## External links

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* National Presbyterian Church in Mexico homepage
* Presbyterian Mission Agency update on Mexico
* Presbyterian Outlook Foundation's Top 10 stories of 2011, featuring break between Mexican and US churches
* Presbyterian Border Ministry – a joint ministry between the Presbyterian Church in the US and the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico
* Report on 2012 celebrations of church's 140th anniversary

* v
* t
* e

Religion in Mexico

Abrahamic|

| Christianity|

| Catholic |

* History of the Catholic Church in Mexico
* Melkite Greek Catholic
* Apostolic

|

Eastern Orthodox|

* Greek Orthodox
* Russian Orthodox
* Antiochian Orthodox

Oriental Orthodox|

* Coptic Orthodox

Protestant|

| Adventist|

* Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico

|

Evangelical|

* National Presbyterian Church in Mexico
* Presbyterian Reformed Church of Mexico
* National Conservative Presbyterian Church in Mexico
* Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Mexico

Pentecostal|

* Church of God

Historical|

* Anglican
* Episcopal Church in Mexico
* Baptist
* Methodist
* Lutheran
* Mennonite
* Quaker

Nontrinitarian|

* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times)
* Jehovah's Witnesses in Mexico
* La Luz del Mundo

Other|

* Bahá'í Faith
* Islam
* Judaism

Ethnic/Folk|

* Mexicayotl
* Santa Muerte

Others|

* Buddhism
* Hinduism
* Sikhism

Related|

* Christmas
* Cristero War
* Holy Week
* Huichol Route
* Irreligion

Lists|

* Cathedrals
* LDS Temples
* Mexican saints
* Oldest churches
* Synagogues

* v
* t
* e

Members of the World Reformed Fellowship

Africa|

* Africa Evangelical Presbyterian Church
* Christian Reformed Church in South Africa
* Christian Reformed Church in Burundi
* Community Worship Presbyterian Church
* Covenant Reformed Church in Uganda
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Malawi and Mozambique
* Emmanuel Temple (Sinkor, Monrovia)
* Greater Grace Ministry (Kampala, Uganda)
* Gospel Peace Church of Egypt
* Holy Spirit Revival Church
* Igreja Presbiteriana de Angola
* King's Church (Kampala, Uganda)
* Kivu Presbyterian Church
* New Life Presbyterian Church
* Presbyterian Church in Uganda
* Presbyterian Church of Senegal
* Protestant Church of Ambrohimazala-Firasiana
* Raisin Power Baptist Church of Ethiopia
* Reformed Churches in South Africa
* Reformed Community of Katanga
* Reformed Presbyterian Church in Africa (Uganda)
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Uganda
* Sudanese Reformed Presbyterian Churches
* United Presbyterian Churches of Congo

Asia|

* Bangladesh Presbyterian Church
* Bangladesh Evangelical Reformed Church of Bandarban, Tripura
* Biblical Reformed Churches in Myanmar
* Celitic Cross Ministry Dioceses of India
* Council of Reformed Churches of India
* Christian Reformed Church in Sri Lanka
* Christian Reformed Church in Myanmar
* Christian Reformed Fellowship of India
* Evangelical Reformed Church of Bangladesh
* Evangelical Reformed Church of India
* Grace Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh
* Malankara Evangelical Church
* India Christian Mission Church
* India Reformed Presbyterian Church
* Indonesian Reformed Evangelical Church
* Isa-e Church
* Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong)
* Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)
* Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh
* Presbyterian Reformed Church in India
* Reformed Church of India
* Reformed Community Churches in Myanmar
* Reformed Evangelical Church of Myanmar
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of India
* Reformed Presbyterian Church in Myanmar
* Reformed Presbyterian Church North East India
* Smyrna House of Prayer Church
* Sutlej Reformed Church of Pakistan
* Telugu Baptist Church Council
* Thyatira Church Trust Bangladesh
* United Church of India

Europe|

* Associated Presbyterian Churches
* Free Church of Scotland
* Evangelical Reformed Baptist Churches in Italy
* Evangelical Reformed Church of Russia
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Poland
* Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church
* Reformed Free Church in Germany
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Central and Eastern Europe

North America|

* Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
* Christian Reformed Church in North America
* ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
* Église réformée du Québec
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States)
* Evangelical Reformed Church in America
* Presbyterian Church in America
* United Episcopal Church of North America

Latin America|

* Christian Church Nations For Christ
* Presbyterian Community the Redeemer (Argentina)
* National Presbyterian Church in Mexico
* Orthodox Episcopal Anglican Church (Buenos Aires)
* Presbyterian Church of Brazil
* Presbyterian Church of Uruguay
* Union of Churches of the Christian Community of Haiti
* United Church of Christ in Colombia

Oceania|

* Grace Presbyterian Church of New Zealand
* Presbyterian Church of Australia
* Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
* Westminster Presbyterian Church of Australia

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