dissenting conservative southern presbyterian churches joined the pca until the early 1990s. early pca growth was largely through secessions from the southern presbyterian church (pcus), which from 1983 to 1990 allowed churches to leave with their property. about 110 to 120 churches did come in during that period of time to the pca with their properties, allowed by various pc(usa) presbyteries. since that time, pca growth has been largely through church planting and local congregational outreach rather than by transfers of entire churches from other denominations. pc(usa) ministers are now required to agree with the ordination of women, which the pca opposes. however, since 1996 about 23 pc(usa) congregations have joined the pca. as of the 2014 pc(usa) general assembly, most churches withdrawing from the pc(usa) are joining the evangelical presbyterian church or the newly formed eco due to their acceptance of women ministers, though since then many conservative pc(usa) groups and even whole congregations have affiliated with the pca.