EVANGELICALS have criticised the Church of Scotland's vote over the appointment of ministers in active homosexual and lesbian relationships saying it represented "deep division" over the issue.
The Kirk said 32 of 45 voted in favour of proposals to allow ministers and deacons who are in a civil partnership to apply for vacant posts.
The next decision will be taken at May's General Assembly in Edinburgh.
A total of 1,391 presbytery members voted in favour and 1,153 against, resulting in a 54.6 per cent/45.4 per cent split.
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Stirling presbyteries backed the proposals, but Falkirk, Kirkcaldy and Inverness were among those that voted against.
There was a clear geographical split, with traditionalist presbyteries in the more northern areas among those to opt against gay ordination.
Evangelicals have warned that greater acceptance of gay ordination could lead to more people leaving the Kirk, however many traditionalists said they plan to continue to oppose the move from within the Church, while liberal members have hailed the "step forward".
Figures show 18 out of 795 ministers have left the Kirk over the possibility of the Church eventually agreeing to allow individual congregations to choose a gay minister.
The ordaining of ministers in same-sex relationships has divided the Church since traditionalist members attempted to block the appointment of Rev Scott Rennie, who is in a civil partnership, in Aberdeen in 2009.
Rev Andrew McGowan, of the traditionalist Covenant Fellowship said the Kirk should abandon moves towards greater acceptance of gay ordination.
He said: "The Church of Scotland should recognise the deep division that there is over this issue.
"The unity and peace of the Church is more important than this overture."
The liberal group Affirmation Scotland has said that it is important that the move towards gay ordination is supported "as it will allow the Church to take a significant step forward".
The Kirk said that options about same-sex marriage will depend on events at the assembly when about commissioners will decide on the next move.
If the assembly backs moving towards greater acceptance of gay ordination of ministers in active homosexual relationships four options could be put forward.
A move to allow ministers in same sex-marriages could also be woven into plans for greater acceptance of gay ordination already expected to be agreed at the gathering under one option.
Acting Principal Clerk of the Kirk Rev Dr George Whyte said earlier that the assembly would be expected to reach some decision on same sex-marriage but options would be open.
He said: "The assembly could agree, with certain caveats, that ministers in same-sex marriages could be treated in the same way as those in civil partnerships and that it would be right to do so at the 2015 assembly or agree, with certain caveats, that ministers in same-sex marriages could be treated in the same way as those in civil partnerships and that it would be wrong to do so without consulting the wider church and, therefore, the amending Act would be turned into a Barrier Act Overture and sent to Presbyteries before, possibly, returning to the assembly of 2016."
The assembly could also "decide that they are not in a position to consider adding same sex marriage at this stage since it's a whole new thing and, therefore, instruct the Theological Forum to consider the matter and report back to a future General Assembly or refuse to consider the addition of same sex marriage ministers to the Act ."
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