A committee of the Presbyterian church is scheduled to meet today to consider lifting a ban on ordaining gays and lesbians to church offices.
Church liberals have been pushing for years to have the ban lifted.
In yesterday's hearing at a church meeting in Virginia, gays and lesbians said the church's stance on homosexuality is driving away young people at a time when the church is struggling to keep its members.
Conservatives contend that the scriptures denounce homosexuality. Many are seeking new leadership in the church to tighten the ban, which they say is sometimes loosely enforced.