Why do I raise this issue? Because of a current issue facing the EPC denomination.  Like so many decisions in church history, the current critical issue facing the EPC is a watershed issue. Be assured it doesn’t relate to violence, tortures, or murders.  However, it may and could relate to false teaching, compromise, regarding homosexuality.  The key word is “could.”  It takes only an innocuous-appearing small step or opening that overtime can result in the church’s decline.  

Church history is a fascinating subject closely following God’s divine revelation as important knowledge not only for church leaders, but for all Christians. It shares knowledge relative to world or national history, that is, there is much that must never be repeated.  One could honestly say, “Lest we forget . . .”

So, “Lest we forget . . .” permit me to share there is probably as much evil in church history as there is good.  We’re aware of the many saints following the apostles proclaiming the Gospel throughout the world and accompanied with many martyrdoms.  Yes, many sacrificially laid down their lives to serve Christ and the church and throughout the world, “making disciples, baptizing them, teaching them” all that Christ commanded them in the Great Commission.  (Matthew 26: 19-20) 

Nonetheless and most sadly, great evils followed many good works—evils that make one blush:  heresies, abuses, violence, tortures, murders, corruptions, sexual immoralities, scandals, false teachings, compromises, etc.  Sadder yet, many of such evils were committed by the clerics, i.e., leaders of the church.

Why do I raise this issue? Because of a current issue facing the EPC denomination.  Like so many decisions in church history, the current critical issue facing the EPC is a watershed issue. Be assured it doesn’t relate to violence, tortures, or murders.  However, it may and could relate to false teaching, compromise, regarding homosexuality.  The key word is “could.”  It takes only an innocuous-appearing small step or opening that overtime can result in the church’s decline.

Some deny that approving ordination of candidates and receiving pastors experiencing same sex sexual attraction who claim to be celibate will lead to a slippery slope.  But here, too, church history provides some interesting markers of how certain changes affect church life in the church.  All one has to do is observe the Roman Catholic Church and several mainline Protestant denominations who began with such a step.

Consider the Catholic Church, entirely clerically governed.  All clerics from parish priest to Vatican elite vow an oath to celibacy.  That institution is overwhelmed with practicing homosexuals, abusive homosexuals, and governed by these ungodly men. A Catholic priest advocate for abused victims states, “Clerical celibacy is generally more difficult for homosexual clergy than heterosexual clergy.  A 2012 study revealed that homosexuals in the 35-39 age group reported a median lifetime number of 67 sexual partners, compared with 10 for heterosexuals” (https://johneighteenthirtyseven.substack.com/p/gay-and-women-priests-vs-celibate).  Lesson learned:  Same sex sexually attracted men can lie under oath or break vows.  The Gay agenda is most active and militant.

Or consider mainline Protestant denominations, e.g., Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian.  They all have pastors, bishops that are gay or lesbian.  There too, it all began with a small, innocuous-appearing step.

The EPC cannot ensure safety.  The desires and passions are too embedded for many, as recorded in Romans 1: 26-27.

If such a door is opened, where will it stop?  If someone possesses a pedophilia orientation but claims to remain celibate, couldn’t he/she also be considered qualified claiming the desires arise infrequently?  They too claim to be born that way. I raise this question as we’re considering “unnatural” desires. The same is true of bestiality, an unnatural sin, legal in many states and countries yet today.  In Leviticus same sex sexual acts come right before this sin as the worst of the worst sexually.

Don’t consider these impossible; transgenderism is now confronting denominations and churches. So, what else? I apologize for raising such issues, but God’s divine revelation deals with them. They possess a kinship based on unnaturalness—countering the creative act of God.

When dealing with watershed issues—especially behaviors and disorders, decision-makers must anticipate and consider ramifications appearing far in the future and proceed cautiously in overturning previous, historical interpretations and standards.

Since church history appears to provide accounts of majority clerical-led departure from God’s divine revelation and straying from doctrine or practice from that which was once delivered to the church, it presses us to learn who is leading such a movement today in our denominations.  Until the Reformation, only clergy were church leaders, but the Reformers wisely brought the laity into such an important role as well.  That’s possibly a check and balance necessary for the church.  Most declines come out of seminaries and the clergy.

It’s worth saying, Teaching Elders, your position in this controversy is gravely and seriously important.  This is a time to self-examine if you are remaining true to our Triune God, the Apostles, God’s revelation, and the Bride of Christ who remains pure. Remember church history and “Lest we forget . . .” to ensure you do not repeat the legacy of those clergy members who introduced heresy, false teachings, or sinful practices.

Helen Louise Herndon is a member of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis, Missouri. She is freelance writer and served as a missionary to the Arab/Muslim world in France and North Africa.