The issue posing potential division to this short-lived church and denomination relates to the Ad-Interim Committee recommendations to ordain and receive same sex sexually attracted candidates and pastors who promise to live a chaste life either by celibacy or biblical marriage.

From June 16-18, 2026, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) will face a historical moment.  The 46^th General Assembly will meet in Englewood, Colorado.  Established in 1981, the EPC has grown from a very small number of churches and members to well over 600 churches and 16 Presbyteries.

As for the founders, “They wanted to form a Church that took seriously the Bible, the theology of the historic confessions of the faith, and the evangelical fervor of the founders of American Presbyterianism. They envisioned a denomination that was really evangelical and really Presbyterian; hence the name. In addition, the motto, ‘In Essentials Unity, In Non-essentials Liberty, in All Things Charity; Truth in Love,’ was adopted” (https://epconnect.org/about/history/).

As to its founding, “The EPC began as a result of prayer meetings in 1980 and 1981 by pastors and elders increasingly alienated by liberalism in the ‘northern’ branch of Presbyterianism (the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, a predecessor of the Presbyterian Church (USA).”

That was a watershed decision; less than even a half century later—only 45 years—another watershed issue and decision have arisen.  With the history and reason for its founding, both clergy and laity, that is, all EPC members might again review its history questioning if this specific occasion and decision will ensure its fervor to remain both evangelical and really Presbyterian, adhering to God’s divine revelation as its primary authority, foundation and reason for being.  Equally important, will it remain united in charity with both truth and love intact?

The issue posing potential division to this short-lived church and denomination relates to the Ad-Interim Committee recommendations to ordain and receive same sex sexually attracted candidates and pastors who promise to live a chaste life either by celibacy or biblical marriage. Understandably, that is not how it is exactly vocalized, but both truthfully and lovingly the attraction is definitely sexual.  Thus, it’s a basic, fundamental, primary, serious moral tenet that cannot be ignored. As such, strong debate, conflict, dissent, and opposition between elders who will be gathering together at the General Assembly to vote on those recommendations have occurred across the denomination.

For those who love the EPC and recognize the conflicts already taking place in various churches, sessions, and presbyteries based on robust, rigorous discourse, there is concern for unity—especially among and between teaching and ruling elders—that both truth and love remain intact and even vibrant.

With the General Assembly close approaching, what suggestions can be made to proceed forward in a way that honors and pleases our mutual Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has to have been grievously pained over millenniums of His Bride, the Church, regarding the abandonment of either truth or love in relationships with one another?  Following are some suggestions with specificity to this current issue and principle and directed to both TE’s and RE’s:

• First and foremost, assiduously aim to obey and please your Triune God.
• Seek diligently and unremittingly to discern God’s will based on the Holy Spirit’s inspired Scripture and application related to “unnatural”sexual attraction from the apostles, the early church, and traditionally throughout Church history through its confessions.  Prioritize God’s truth—not outside sources or theories.
• Love those who struggle with such desires/passions based and undergirded with biblical truth—not emotions based on relationships or cultural standards.
• Take seriously your responsibility to protect the flock, especially its children, youth, and families.
• Anticipate potential scandals that will shame the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the church.
• Consider the modern developments in other branches of the Church and denominations wherein such ordained candidates have been allowed and what has followed their initial decisions.
• Allow robust debate based on different sides. Disallow lack of respect or diminishment of Christian love.  In other words, “Agree to disagree” amiably. Be a true light in our current mean-spirited, bullying, and offensive polarized society.
• Resist unholy division between TE’s and RE’s.
• Assume elders possessing a different viewpoint love God and also seek His will as you do.  Judging motives is tricky and is solely God’s prerogative.
• Regardless of the ultimate decision, retain love for your fellow elders.

As EPC members, let’s diligently pray for the General Assembly that they will be faithful to the God we love and the Bridegroom who gave His life for our redemption.  May the Holy Spirit intercede to bring about the decision that honors God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and respects His divine revelation as our ultimate authority.   Let’s be those Christians “who in charity prioritize truth and love.”

Pursue Unity, “in All Things Charity; in Truth and Love.”

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.