NASHVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee Tea Party, one of several tea party groups in the state, is disbanding after three years.

In a letter to members, leaders Tami and Robert Kilmarx say they have realized the tea party is not a vehicle that will move the United States to what they call "a healthy relationship with God," according to WPLN-FM (http://bit.ly/z6EEeu).

"The issues confronting our country are only symptoms of our rebellion against God and His will for us," the letter states, while acknowledging that "some of you may feel that the tea party movement has no place to include God and religion in it."

The letter states that the husband and wife had hoped to turn the leadership of the organization over to someone else, but "God appears to have other plans".

The couple says they have founded a new endeavor called the Black Robe Regiment, which, according to its website, is a forum for church leaders and pastors "to discuss the is sues of the day in safety and in peace."

The Tennessee Tea Party drew criticism last month after a derogatory comment on Twitter about retiring Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, who is gay. Tami Kilmarx apologized for the post that called Frank a pervert, while saying "inwardly I may agree with the commentary."