Madison resident and first openly gay Presbyterian minister Scott Anderson has received a mixed reception nationwide to his historic ordination earlier this month, with some repercussions coming from a conservative church in Sacramento, Calif.

The Fremont Presbyterian Church in Sacramento decided last Sunday to formally break with the Presbyterian Church USA and move to a denomination that better aligns with its agenda, said Fremont Executive Minister Mark Eshoff.

“The reason has been a growing shift in theology – the Presbyterian church is moving away from its roots,” said Eshoff. “There’s been a shift away from biblical faithfulness in terms of adhering to principles and a considerate shift in ordination standards.”

Although Eshoff said the decision to cut ties with the national Presbyterian Church was a long time coming, he said that Anderson’s ordination was “symptomatic” of some of the “negative” changes in church doctrine.

Eshoff said that after a great deal of deliberation, the church’s elders decided to make a formal break after deciding that the changes in the national church deviated too far from Fremont’s beliefs.

“We’ve decided to remain focused on Christ and remain committed to our ideals,” said Eshoff.

Eshoff said that his church is one of “hundreds” of churches around the country that are leaving or considering leaving the Presbyterian Church USA in response to more progressive changes.

Anderson said he is aware of the discontent within the Presbyterian community, adding that a group of Presbyterian churches met in the Twin Cities last August to discuss their discontent with changes in the church’s constitution.

He also added that in addition to the churches currently in talks to split with Presbyterian Church USA, about 100 have already moved away from the national denomination.

Anderson said that he was surprised at the level of national attention that his story has received in the weeks following his ordination.

“The biggest surprise is that this has become a national news story – it’s a bigger story than I ever imagined it would be,” he said.

Anderson emphasized that his ordination was not the church’s sole reason for parting ways with the national church, but did agree that his position had caused controversy.

“They’ve been considering this for many months, if not for more than a year,” he said. “This is not only about me by any means.”

Despite conflicting opinions nationwide, Anderson said that he has received an incredibly favorable response from locals and Presbyterians in the Madison area.

“The immediate response that I’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said.

Anderson said that he has received virtually no negative feedback here in the Madison area.

“I’ve had no backlash here – people have been so supportive of me and the work that I’m doing,” he said.

Anderson also added that he expected to continue having a positive experience with the Madison community.

He has been well-received from the beginning of his time here in Madison. Locals were instrumental in encouraging the legality of his ordination, and over 100 Madisonians counter-protested when the Westboro Baptist Church protested the service.