Hope For The EPC

To my fellow Presbyters in the EPC and their flocks,

Like many of you, I grew up in the Presbyterian church. Both my parents were pastors in the PCUSA and then came into the EPC after being defrocked for standing against its progressive digression (yes, I am a double PK; only by God’s grace did I turn out semi-functional).

I had a front-row seat as a young, impressionable youth to their faith in action. It was a difficult time for our family/church, but God blessed the transition, and it turned out to be the best thing to happen to our congregations. In fact, this season of watching my parents go through the wringer helped lead me to faith. I figured, “Wow, if my parents are willing to give up everything for Jesus – maybe I should pay closer attention?”

What I also remember at that time was the welcoming arms and support of the New Wineskins movement (provided in large part by the leadership of Dean Weaver) and the EPC (under Jeff Jeremiah). They offered prayers, love, and deep Godly affection to churches like ours coming out of the PCUSA. Our Elders wept as they visited the first EPC GA and presbyteries.

In the EPC, we found a devotion to God’s word and a dependence on the Holy Spirit. We witnessed movements of intense prayer and an urgency to share the gospel with the unreached nations. The EPC was a place where gospel essentials were rigorously upheld, but secondary matters were open for debate and discussion with charity. There was not a majoring on the minors. Rather, despite differences, all agreed on the primary mission of carrying out the great commission. This was a breath of fresh air. We found a home in the EPC.

These are among the reasons I knew that I wanted to serve in the EPC one day. When the Lord called me into the pastoral ministry, it was the EPC that helped equip and prepare me.

Over the years, I witnessed the EPC grow and be the same kind of home to others. I have also seen the difficulties, the imperfections, and conflicts. It grieves my heart to see the growing division in the EPC as of late. But I know this is to be expected and normal for any organization. (Any group larger than one will have conflict). I know the EPC is not perfect (Heck, I am in it). I also know that there are times when we must draw hard lines in the sand and go our separate ways. I love hunting down a good old heresy – but I do not believe that the EPC is struggling with matters of essential doctrine (I see that hand! Stick with me, please).

Instead, I see a debate over vision, emphasis, aesthetics, communication, and process (all important), but I pray to God that they are not worthy of a split. I still believe in our denomination to weather the season we are in. We still have a standard of God’s word. We still have essentials and a fantastic confession. And most importantly, we still have the Holy Spirit of God Almighty. So, don’t jump ship!

The question is, how will we handle the inevitable conflict we face? I think this is what makes all the difference. I submit to you a few ideas:

Pursue clarity with charity:

I have been critical of some of the EPC’s decisions in the past years. For example, I think some of the teachings and committees formed to address the racial divide have been wrong-headed, culturally informed, and divisive. I felt that the 2024 GA was not handled in the most professional or charitable way. I don’t think the ad-interim committee on same-sex attraction was essential. I think the scriptures and the WCF are already clear on matters of sin, identity, progressive sanctification, and concupiscence. I have made my voice clear on these matters in the appropriate channels. In doing so, I found some leaders to be dismissive and others to be generous and receptive. (No big deal. This is life – right?). Until matters become more clear – I submit to the process.

Regardless, I continue to pursue clarity in the presbytery, committees, late-night conversations, closed-door meetings, and living room prayer sessions with EPC leaders. By and large, I have found our leaders to be God-fearing, passionate followers of Jesus who sincerely desire to see the kingdom grow into all the earth. I do not see any progressive agenda or nefarious intentions. I see men and women trying to do their best within the parameters they have been given. I may not agree with everything, but I trust them.

I encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to leadership personally. If you are not far away, offer to discuss over coffee or a beer. Reject the use of social media to initiate long form conversation. Social media has its place – but if you want clarity and charity – that’s not where you’ll find it. It’s so easy to assume the worst about each other. We can do better. Do the hard work. Fly to Orlando if you must.

Give the benefit of the doubt until you have good reason to doubt the benefits.

If we don’t do the hard work of seeking clarity – what right do we have to accuse? We must be so careful in our analysis of one another. We so quickly bear false witness and talk about things we don’t know about. Over time, I have learned to trust our National Leadership Team. But it is based on my experience of them.

For example, I trust our Stated Clerk, Dean Weaver. Let’s not forget that it was Dean (among others) who helped lead the charge out of the heretical PCUSA. He knows what it means to lose a denomination to liberalism. He is no stranger to fighting the good fight when the fight is necessary.

Dean’s fighting spirit and visionary mindset led our EPC stated clerk search committee to nominate him. Granted, like many of our TE’s, it can come off as a bombastic change when you are a fighter and have passion for the church. Dean has Godly vision – we need it. Can anyone sympathize when you brought vision to your church? I believe Dean, the leadership team, and the GA offices deserve the benefit of the doubt.

If I (or you) discover that someone is a Basilideanist or Marcion – I will cease my doubting and alarm the appropriate channels!

Pray for our servant leaders.

Let’s not forget that the EPC is not a top-down organization. The EPC preserves much autonomy for local congregations and presbyteries. There are methods for change. Use them! Trust the process. (This is true for the GA leadership as well as local).

Again, it is good and right to seek accountability and ask questions of those who serve our denomination. But how are you helping them? How are you praying for them? Are you willing to serve on committees? Do you know about their families? What is the situation and crisis they may be in? How are their children and spouses doing? I may have honest concerns with the EPC at times, but when I start by remembering that these are humans with lives trying their best to serve our churches – I am convicted to pray first and lift them up to the true leader of the church, Christ Jesus.

Conclusion:

I love the EPC. I believe it holds a unique place among denominations. The EPC was intentionally founded to sit upon the awkward tension of essentials and non-essentials. If the EPC cannot succeed and stay together under the leadership of Christ, I don’t know who can.  We are in a difficult moment, but I trust and believe we can come through it. May we together come before our Father on bended knee in prayer for the protection and unity of our denomination. I genuinely believe our best days are ahead. “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if in His love He befriend thee. Let the Amen sound from His people again; gladly forever adore Him.”

Yours in Christ – with great hope,

TE, Luke Johnston

GlenHaven Church