Conservative Drops Candidacy for Church Post

A Newport Beach pastor has withdrawn his candidacy for moderator of the Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly because of his daughter’s worsening cancer condition.

The Rev. John Huffman Jr., 51, pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, had hoped to carry the conservative banner into a major denominational battle next week over recommendations to liberalize positions on sexuality.

The moderator’s position will be “very important as this report is discussed on the convention floor,” said Marj Carpenter, news director of the 2.9-million-member church body. It was not known immediately if conservative groups will nominate a substitute candidate from the convention floor, but the proposal seems headed for defeat.

Half of the denomination’s regional units, or presbyteries, have passed resolutions opposing a task force report that favors “responsible” sex for single adults and teen-agers, including gays and lesbians.

Huffman said he will not attend the June 4-12 General Assembly in Baltimore as one of 602 commissioners, but may go briefly to explain his withdrawal.

“At this point, I’ve got to give my full attention to my family,” Huffman said.

Huffman, who has been pastor of the 4,500-member St. Andrew’s church since 1978, said he was “under great pressure” last week to stay in the race, but he finally decided Sunday night to drop out. The moderator’s post requires a year of visiting churches around the country.