Presbyterians, Celibate Gay Ordination, and the Westminster Standards
Presbyterians should beware of playing the fool again by being duped by worldly philosophies and the gay Christian movement that attempts to normalize homosexuality and change the mind of the church.
Until the last 50 years, the Reformed tradition has been absolutely clear and consistent on the topic of homosexuality because the Bible is clear and consistent on homosexuality. Any Presbyterian denomination that ignores this biblical truth is sowing the seeds of its own destruction. What has tragically transpired in the mainline Presbyterian church shouts in... Continue Reading
Pastoral Sexual Orientation and the EPC
Many Evangelical Presbyterian Church members are stunned about why it would take so long for the shepherds of Christ’s flock to deliberate on the subject of sexual identity for church officers.
Church officers have a responsibility to protect church members by shepherding them in all areas, including the area of biblical sexual ethics. Church members know the emphasis of God’s Word places on purity; they need church leaders to be clear on this expectation. This means that receiving a minister who self-identifies with a homosexual-orientation should... Continue Reading
Evangelical Denominational Storm Brewing?
Questions of policy within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
The issue arose because Greg Johnson, the Presbyterian pastor of Memorial Presbyterian in St. Louis who says he is homosexual but celibate, left the Presbyterian Church in America in 2022. Now his church wants to join the EPC. “That has stirred up all kinds of controversy because we’ve got some in the EPC that appear... Continue Reading
Evangelical Presbyterians Take on Debate Over Celibate Gay Pastors
As it brings in churches from mainline and conservative Presbyterian denominations, the EPC feels the tension in compromise.
Greg Johnson has described himself that way, advocating Side B Christianity both at the controversial Revoice conference and in his book Still Time to Care: What We Can Learn from the Church’s Failed Attempt to Cure Homosexuality. Now his church has inquired about joining the EPC. “That has stirred up all kinds of controversy,” said Fortson, professor of church... Continue Reading
An Earnest Appeal to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
An earnest plea to the EPC to ponder the following four points as they reflect upon Dr. Johnson’s fitness for office in the EPC.
I write to you in reference to reports that you are on the cusp of receiving Memorial Presbyterian in St. Louis, Missouri into your fold, along with her leadership, including her senior pastor, Greg Johnson. Before taking such action, I earnestly implore you to ponder the following four points as they reflect upon Dr. Johnson’s... Continue Reading
An Open Letter to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)
A message to the EPC regarding an overture from New River Presbytery to the 44th General Assembly
The issue before Mid-America Presbytery of receiving a same-sex attracted minister, Greg Johnson, and the congregation he serves (Memorial Church in St. Louis) into the EPC has raised severe distress throughout the EPC. Documents are beginning to work their way through the EPC, often advocating for Greg Johnson’s reception or taking a position against the... Continue Reading
The Westminster Society Meeting During the EPC General Assembly, June 18-21, 2019
The Westminster Society is a networking group within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church that seeks to foster unity in the EPC through “confessional churchmanship.”
The Westminster Society is a networking group within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. It is not a commissioned ministry, mission, or committee of any court within the EPC, but hopes to help assist the EPC in continuing its vision for effective biblical leadership in the present and future of our church. The Society seeks to bless... Continue Reading
The Westminster Society and the EPC General Assembly
The Westminster Society is a relatively new networking group within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
The Society aims to provide annual networking lunch opportunities at our General Assemblies for our members and visitors to gather around productive, in-depth theological conversations. More importantly, we hope to deepen friendships and foster professional collegiality among our ministers and ruling elders. Additionally, we seek to advocate for a strong view of the implementation and... Continue Reading
EPC General Assembly Adopts Position Paper on Human Sexuality
The 37th General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church adopted the Preliminary Position Paper on Human Sexuality as the its official Position Paper on Human Sexuality.
A Position Paper expresses the mind of the General Assembly of the EPC on a subject of compelling interest. It is a definitive but not an exhaustive statement, and is not to be regarded as binding on the conscience of churches or individuals. Commissioners to the 37th General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)... Continue Reading
EPC GA Debates Revision of Abortion Statement
Revising their abortion statement was on the agenda of The Evangelical Presbyterian Church GA
For Presbyterians newly transferred from the PCUSA it was refreshing to participate in substantive debate on the nuances of wording in a gathering where there was clearly essential unity about standing against abortion and acknowledging that every human life is sacred and precious to God. Commissioners were clearly intent on giving careful attention to the... Continue Reading