Logo courtesy of carmelpresbyterian.org

Presbyterian USA logo courtesy of carmelpresbyterian.org (July 6, 2012)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) narrowly rejected a proposal to change its definition of marriage from the union of a man and a woman to two people.

The Presbyterian General Assembly voted 338-308 against the measure near the end of its national meeting Friday in Pittsburgh.

The plan to revise the definition was proposed a year after the denomination struck down barriers to ordaining people in same-sex relationships. Several theologically conservative churches have either left the denomination or moved away from its leadership as a result of that decision.

Gay marriage advocates have said a revision was needed now that six states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage.

Only one major U.S. Protestant group has endorsed same-sex marriage outright. That's the United Church of Christ.