A Written Histry
By: Rev. Saúl Tijerina

The first U.S. missionaries, from the northern stream of the Presbyterian church arrived in Mexico in 1872. In 1873, the southern Presbyterian Church sent its first missionaries to Mexico . The name 'National Presbyterian Church of Mexico' has its roots in the church's proclamations of 1919, which was in response to decisions of U.S. churches.

In 1918, U.S. Presbyterians, Methodists and Disciples of Christ met in Cincinnati , OH and divided mission work in Mexico in the name of “good stewardship.” Presbyterians agreed to do mission work in the south, and the northern region became the mission territory of Methodists . Presbyterians in the north were told to give up their churches and become Methodists, and likewise, Methodists in the south were told that they were now Presbyterians.

Presbyterians in Monterrey , Nuevo Leon , a northern area designated for Methodist mission, met and resisted the accord. The “Plan de Cincinnati,” became known in Spanish as the “Plan of Assassination,” and provided the impetus for creation of the “National Presbyterian Church of Mexico.” As a new national church they agreed 1) to be responsible for the salaries of ordained pastors; 2) That only national clergy would preach - they would respect the laws of Mexico ; 3) The government of the church would remain in the hands of national presbyteries and synods. The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico was born on November 28, 1919.

In 1972, as the church celebrated its first 100 years of life, there was an agreement between the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and the U.S. Presbyterian Churches to suspend relations between the two churches, and all U.S. missionaries would return home, allowing time for each church to reflect on the nature of their past relations, and for the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico to set its own agenda. During the moratorium the church of Mexico set as its priority items evangelization, theological education, and new church development. The moratorium lasted until 1980.

In 1980 the three churches developed a new covenant entitled "A New Relationship for Joint Mission." Its objectives were to establish a partnership for future mission, in which both Mexican and U.S. churches would be involved in setting the agenda for mission. The first joint endeavors included ministry along our common border, in capital cities, and growing tourist centers. The covenant bound the U.S. Presbyterian Churches and the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico in a mission partnership. All mission decisions would be made around a common table by all parties involved, attempting to avoid the paternalism of the past. The General Assembly was organized in 1947 with 9 presbyteries. Today the church has forty presbyteries and seven synods. Six presbyteries work exclusively in the southern states of Chiapas , Oaxaca and Huasteca Potosina with indigenous peoples, in their respective languages.

The growth and development of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico is due to the evangelistic zeal of its laity, male and female, young and old. All have started new churches, and/or have worked with new church pastors. New church development in Mexico is divided into three stages: 1) A Mission - a new work is begun and a pastor/evangelist is assigned. This may be under the supervision of an existing local church or a presbytery; 2) A Congregation - when the mission reaches 25 members, with approval of the presbytery, it can elect a board of directors and begin to govern its own affairs more directly, but still under the oversight of the presbytery or a local organized church; 3) Organized Church - When the congregation reaches 60 members and has trained male elders, it can petition the presbytery to ordain its elders and declare it an organized Church.

The church's theology is conservative and founded in the Apostles Creed. The church believes: 1) Humankind is sinful; 2) God loves the sinner and manifests that love in Christ; 3) That each individual needs to recognize his/her sinfulness and recognize Jesus Christ as their personal savior; 4) We are saved for the purpose of serving and sharing the good news with the community where we live and work; 5) Those recently converted need to be nurtured in the faith to become disciples; 6) In Christ we have "abundant and eternal life” 7) The church has a responsibility for the social well-being of the poor.

There has been a growing awareness of the poor during the past 20 years. The National Presbyterian Church is additionally aware of the holistic nature of humanity. Ministries, therefore, have been launched which respond to the needs of body, mind and soul.

There is a growing concern also for the welfare of pastors. The pastor of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico is an individual who dedicates his (the church to date only ordains men) time and family talents to the church for a monthly salary of between U.S. $200 and $500. Many churches do not have manses, and few pastors own their own homes. Many live in humble houses with no more than two bedrooms for a family of seven.

The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico considers its liturgy to be hybrid. It contains elements that identify it with the church universal. Traditional hymns are sung, and by and large its worship would be considered decent and orderly. It does, however, have indigenous popular hymns with upbeat melodies, as well as metric psalms. Although most hymns are accompanied by the organ or piano, with increasing frequency the guitar is used.

The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico has fraternal relations with other evangelical churches. In Mexico , the word evangelical might best be translated “Protestant.” The theology of the church is best identified by the word “reformed” as opposed to “evangelical.”

The church does not have fraternal or other relations with the Roman Catholic Church, primarily because of the Catholic Church's role in the conquest and oppression of Mexico and its people. The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico has been victim of persecution at the hands of the Roman Church in Mexico - a persecution which has been particularly harsh on the poor. The Roman Church's presupposition is that if you are Mexican you should be Roman Catholic. If you are not, you must be part of the advancing neo-colonial rule of the United States of America - a traitor to Mexico , its people and culture. The National Presbyterian Church has grown. Therefore it is seen as a threat to the Roman Catholic Church of Mexico.

The National Presbyterian Church relates to the Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in Latin America . During 1992, the President of Mexico, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, modified the constitution of the country, legally recognizing the existence of Protestant churches, including the National Presbyterian Church. The new law also re-established relations between Mexico and the Vatican - a relationship which had not existed for the past 130 years.

The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico has a great love and respect for the Presbyterian Church (USA) in spite of our theological differences. We would like to see the Presbyterian Church (USA) show an eagerness to evangelize, to intentionally call for repentance and new birth from the pulpit - and not simply enroll those who want to become Presbyterians.

We admire the Presbyterian Church's zeal for mission and particularly the church's concern for justice and the needs of marginal peoples. And we applaud the church's willingness to send missionaries to all corners of the world.

Finally, the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico dreams of having a very real presence on the border, with established and self-sustaining churches. It would like to see those established churches on the border, in partnership with the U.S. Presbyterian Church, respond to the pain the border causes; the damage it does to families; the vices it promotes; unemployment, illness, the exploitation of women in the twin plants and lack of concern for their family's well-being. The constantly changing border population, and the pain and sorrow of its people, are and will continue to be, a priority concern for the church - as they are to God and rightly so for both the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and the Presbyterian Church (USA). The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico is working with pastors to implement “Plan 20/20” which aims to double the size of the Presbyterian denomination in México by year 2020.