Editor’s note: This is an update on the action taken by the PCUSA GA regarding investigating the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
 
The Layman Online reports that with no discussion and a voice vote Wednesday, June 25, 2008, the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) decided to begin an investigation into charges against the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
 
The charge of "actively pursuing a strategy to persuade Presbyterian Church (USA) churches to disaffiliate with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and be dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church," was made in an overture from Peace River Presbytery. The Assembly referred the charge to the Committee on Ecumenical Relations, which will meet in the fall, and then be forward to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). Both the PCUSA and EPC belong to WARC.
 

 
Overture 07-03 from Florida’s Peace River Presbytery charges the EPC with "actively pursuing a strategy to persuade Presbyterian Church (USA) churches to disaffiliate with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and be dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church." The recommendation by the Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations was a response to the request that the investigation be conducted by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), to which both the PCUSA and the EPC belong.
 
Overture advocate the Rev. Clinton Cortnell referred to a link on the EPC Web site, which, he said, "provides directions on how to leave the denomination you’re in to join the EPC. This is only a request for the executive office of WARC; if the EPC is found guilty, action will then be taken."
 
The EPC established a transitional presbytery in 2007 for congregations in the New Wineskins Association of Churches. The overture advocates referred to the New Wineskins as a reason for the action.
 
Peggy Hedden, New Wineskins board member, spoke against the overture during Monday’s open hearing, saying it was "like using a tank to attack a gnat." She called the overture "overkill … for two alleged attempts of orchestration. This hardly warrants the time and energy that is on display here."
 
The vote on motion to refer was 53-1-1. If approved by plenary, the action would go to the Committee on Ecumenical Relations, which is scheduled to meet next in the fall, before being referred to WARC.