The exodus of several local churches from the mainline Presbyterian denomination in recent months has led many church members to wonder about the new one they are joining.

Seven Sacramento-area congregations have left the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), a small denominational offshoot. The EPC believes in the infallibility of the Bible, that homosexuals should not serve in ministry and that those who are divorced should meet with congregational leaders before serving in the church.

The growing Evangelical Presbyterian Church, based near Detroit, has about 315 churches. The turmoil within the mainline denomination has been a boon to the evangelical group, which in the past five years has added about 130 churches nationally.

But many local church members said they are unclear about where the EPC stands on several issues – from divorce to women serving in the church. They worry the group adheres to a narrow theology and say they don't know enough about the denomination their faith leaders asked them to join.

"I know they are much more conservative than what we are used to," said Claudia Bays, a 40-year member of Fremont Presbyterian Church in Sacramento.

Her church is one of seven local churches to join the EPC recently. Others include the largest in Roseville and Fair Oaks. More local churches are considering the move.

"About 100 churches across the country are currently in the process of leaving them and joining us," said Ron Bengelink, stated clerk for the Presbytery of the Pacific for the EPC.

He said their theology hasn't changed. "We have the same beliefs that the PCUSA had 50 years ago," said Bengelink. "They changed, we haven't."

That is what attracts worshippers such as Robert Black of Carmichael and other Fremont church members who voted 427-164 to join the EPC.

"I like that it does what the Bible says, and not what is politically correct," said Black.

Bengelink said the Evangelical Presbyterian Church was founded by 12 churches, mostly east of the Mississippi, in late 1980 in reaction to pressure from the PCUSA to comply with the liberalization of Presbyterian doctrine.

To join, all EPC churches must adhere to seven "essential statements" – from the nature of God to the belief that salvation comes from grace. Individual congregations have discretion on other matters, such as selecting a minister, which is done with the approval of the presbytery.

Some EPC churches do not allow women to serve as pastors. Other churches in the denomination have women holding high-level positions. About 15 to 20 women serve as associate pastors in the EPC, but there is only one female senior pastor – the only pastor in her church – in the entire denomination.

Gregory Brott of Sacramento, a member of Fremont since 1969, said the church views on homosexuality as well as the lack of women in leadership roles bother him.

"Why would we ignore or restrict more than 50 percent of our population? I can't accept that," Brott said.

Evangelical Presbyterian Church leaders said they want to do everything they can to explain what they are for and what they are against.

Bengelink stressed that many issues vary from church to church and that is one of the benefits of the EPC.

"We leave it up to the local congregations," Bengelink said. "The EPC sees itself as moderate. I think a lot of people are reacting to misinformation."

Divorced people can hold positions in the church, said Bengelink, but "divorce is definitely a sin." Before serving in ministry, a divorced person would have to repent and explain to church leaders "where they are in their faith journey now."

As for homosexuality, the church holds the view of "hating the sin and loving the sinner."

All are welcome to the church, Bengelink said, "but practicing homosexuals cannot serve."

There are three main Presbyterian denominations. They are the Presbyterian Church (USA), which has 2 million members; the Presbyterian Church of America, which has 1,450 churches in the U.S. and Canada, according to its website; and the EPC.

"The EPC is interested in maintaining its Presbyterian roots and is also interested in empowering individual congregations," said Laura Olson, who teaches religion and politics as Clemson University. "I wouldn't call it moderate. Some of their beliefs are definitely conservative."

Many church members said they like the evangelical group's adherence to Scripture and traditional beliefs.

Dan Lee said that is what attracted to him to his church when he moved to Sacramento three years ago. The denomination didn't matter. The beliefs and biblical adherence did.

"I want a church that follows the Gospel," he said.

The number of churches leaving the PCUSA and joining the evangelical group created tension between the two denominations.

In 2010, the Presbyterian Church USA investigated allegations that the evangelical group had solicited its churches to join. Those accusations were later found to be unsubstantiated.

"We are branches of the same tree," said Jay Wilkins, transitional presbyter of the Sacramento Presbytery. "I think we need to recognize that, like family, we sometimes have a hard time getting along with those closest to us."

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