Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Dr. Sean Brubaker, pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church, to talk about how they used extraordinary circumstances to reflect the community around them. Sean shares how this has made them more effective in ministering to their surrounding neighborhood.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Stefan Bomberger , pastor of Manoa Community Church to talk about what the Lord is doing at Manoa as they experience a dramatic increase in people coming to faith in Christ and baptisms. Stefan also shares very practical advice he has learned around the ideas of children’s ministry, evangelism and leadership to lead a church to life found in the Gospel.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes South Regional Church Planting Director, Richard Rieves, to talk about trends in the culture and how church planting remains a unique solution to reaching the world with the Gospel.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Elizabeth Gibson of the Northampton Church Planting Network, as they talk all things church planting from assessments to information that will help those wrestling with a possible call to church planting.
You can connect with Elizabeth at elizabethgibson@nhcpn.org.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes pastor Betsy Rumer, who has served in a number of roles within EPC churches, in her Presbytery and at the General Assembly level. Betsy joins the podcast today to help pastors ask important questions about their spiritual, physical and emotional health.
Show Notes: On today’s podcast Betsy references another podcast, Becoming New with John Ortberg, work by Brene Brown, Emotionally Healthy and Spirituality and Day by Day by Pete Scazzero.
Ritchey Cable, Digital Content Lead of the Office of the General Assembly, welcomes pastor and Gulf South Presbytery Facilitator, Bob Vincent. Bob opens up for other pastors and church leaders about a personal crisis in his own life that occurred during his 40 years pastoring at a local church. Bob’s situation is not unlike the experience of other pastors as they seek to carry out meaningful ministry. Bob’s redeeming story can both warn pastors of dangerous situations, but also encourage others who might be struggling in ministry.
We are excited to announce that all videos from the plenary speakers, worship services, and business sessions of the 44th General Assembly are now available to view on the EPC website under the “44th General Assembly Digital Resources” section. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who couldn’t attend in person or want to revisit the inspiring moments and insightful discussions from this significant event.
The plenary sessions at the GA featured renowned speakers who delivered powerful messages on faith, leadership, and community. Their talks are now accessible online, allowing you to draw inspiration and gain valuable insights at your convenience.
The worship services at the GA were a source of spiritual renewal and communal worship. Relive these moments of collective faith and song, or experience them for the first time if you missed them live.
The business sessions provided critical updates, strategic discussions, and decision-making processes that shape the future of our community. These sessions are essential for understanding the direction and priorities of our assembly.
Navigating to these resources is simple:
We encourage you to share these resources with your congregation, friends, and family. Whether you are looking to deepen your faith, stay informed about our assembly’s decisions, or simply find inspiration, these videos are an invaluable resource.
The availability of these videos ensures that the spirit and message of the 44th General Assembly continue to resonate within our community. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this meaningful experience. Visit the EPC website today and explore the 44th General Assembly Digital Resources.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes back five guests for the second week of this two-part series preparing us for the 44th General Assembly. Those participating in the podcast are upcoming moderator, Victor Jones, EPC Chief Parliamentarian, Bob Garment, Hannah Attaway of Hope Church, and two individuals delivering GA messages, pastors Tim Johnson and Corrina Gambrell. In this episode, the panel discusses some of the issues and conversations we will be having at GA this year.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Michael Morefield, author and pastor at Gashland EPC in Kansas City, Missouri, as they consider how the generations must work together in the church to “run after” God’s mission, as well as within the family as Michael shares about his heart for family discipleship.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Katie Robertson, author, speaker, and Executive Director at The Anchor Gathering, a ministry to connect and challenge women in their faith. Katie shares about a private tragedy as well as the trials of a pandemic and how each of them shaped and created something unexpected. Subscribe at the bottom of The Anchor Gathering webpage for weekly encouragement!
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Case Thorp, author and Theologian in Residence at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando to discuss the importance of understanding how our Christian faith influences our work and all of life.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Holly Lazzaro, author and founder of Study with Friends Ministries, for part three of their discussion. In this episode, Holly shares indepth about her book on The Sermon on the Mount as well as several practical ways to engage with the non-believer in the role of an apologist.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Holly Lazzaro, author and founder of Study with Friends Ministries, for part two of their discussion. In this episode, Holly gives practical advice to help Christian leaders and churches consider how to engage in the digital realm.
Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk, welcomes Enid Flores, author of Until Money Do Us Part. Enid and Dean discuss the issues of money within marriage and practical steps people can take to make sure they approach their finances from a biblical worldview.
Episode 97 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things,” Carolee Richendollar, the new Director of Benefits Resources, Inc. (BRI), gives some of her history within the healthcare industry and gives details about the variety of benefits available to recipients of the program.
Host Dean Weaver and Carolee Richendollar, discuss not only the details of BRI and the benefits available to EPC pastors and EPC employees, but also the reason the denomination created this system from the beginning. This podcast engages the idea that if leaders of the church are going to care well for others they must be sure to care also for themselves.
Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.
The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.
Registration is now open for the 2023 EPC Pastor-Spouse Retreat, October 23-27 at Glen Eyrie Castle & Conference Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Annie Rose
“Study after study the past few years reveal the same thing: that pastors are feeling the wear and tear of ministry like never before,” said Annie Rose, EPC Director of Ministerial Support and Development. “Our goal for this retreat is to provide time and space for our pastors and their spouses to rest, connect, and be encouraged by the Lord.”
Facilitators are Wade Brown, Jeannie Martin, and Dave Meserve from the EPC’s ministry partner, PastorServe. The three will lead large-group discussions each morning and provide free coaching sessions each afternoon.
“Unless you sign up for one of the free coaching and care sessions, the afternoons are completely open with no scheduled activities,” Rose said. “My prayer is that our church leaders will understand the value of renewal for their pastor and his or her spouse and bless them by helping them attend the retreat.”
The cost for the retreat is $550 per person ($1,100 per couple) and includes accommodations for four nights and 11 meals in the Glen Eyrie Castle Dining Room. For more information and to register, see www.epc.org/2023pastorspouseretreat.
The EPC’s mobile app, updated with information and content for the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit, is now available for Apple iOS and Android operating systems.
The app includes a wide variety of information, including daily schedules, all Assembly documents including the Commissioner’s Handbook of action items and other information, permanent and interim committee reports, standing committee assignments and meeting details, and more. Users can donate to the worship service offerings and sign up for free coaching sessions provided by EPC partner ministries PIR Ministries and PastorServe.
The app also offers one-touch access to EPConnection—the EPC’s news and information service—and the denomination’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Previous users of the iOS version will need to update to version 1.7 for the most current content (look for the EPC GA app under the “Updates” tab of the App Store). New users can search for “EPC GA” in the iOS App Store or the GooglePlay app on an Android device.
The app was developed by the EPC Communications Department.
The 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit is June 20-22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.
#epc2023ga
Retreats and gatherings designed to support and encourage EPC pastors, their spouses, church planters, and other leaders are scheduled for October and November 2023.
“We want our pastors and their spouses to thrive in both life and ministry,” said Annie Rose, EPC Director of Ministerial Support and Development. “The events we have planned for this fall are designed to not only bless those who attend, but also have a lasting impact on their families, congregations, and communities.”
Church Planter Retreat
XP/Administrators Gathering
Pastor-Spouse Retreat
ECO/EPC Small Church Summit
“Registration for these events will open later this summer and be communicated through our normal channels,” Rose said. “Please save the dates for the event that best fits you and your ministry!”
Jerry Iamurri, Executive Director and CEO of inFaith, is the guest for episode 76 of the EPC’s podcast, “In All Things.” Iamurri is a Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of the East and served as EPC Assistant Stated Clerk from 2017-2022.
Host Dean Weaver and Iamurri discuss how inFaith ministers among the most underserved and underreached communities in the U.S., as well as how the organization serves church planters with a variety of administrative support functions. In addition, Iamurri describes how governance serves mission and vision, and how his experience as Assistant Stated Clerk informs his leadership at inFaith.
Episodes are available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and others. Search “In All Things” on any of these services.
The audio recordings also are available on the EPC website at www.epc.org/inallthings.
Networking Lunches at the EPC’s 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit provide opportunity for attendees to connect with others with similar ministry interests. Networking Lunches are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, June 20-22, from 12:00-12:50 p.m. at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo. For more information about each lunch, see www.epc.org/ga2023networkinglunches.
Tuesday, June 20
Wednesday, June 21
Thursday, June 22
For more information about the 43rd General Assembly / Gospel Priorities Summit, including online registration, schedule, and more, see www.epc.org/ga2023.
El Libro de Orden de EPC 2022-23 en español ya está disponible en formato PDF descargable en www.epc.org/recursosenespanol.
“Esta edición actualizada de nuestro Libro de Orden incluye todas las decisiones ratificadas por la 42.ª Asamblea General en Ward Church en junio pasado”, dijo Dean Weaver, Secretario Delegado de EPC. “Esa Asamblea aprobó tres enmiendas al Libro de Gobierno y dos revisiones al Libro de Culto, así como una serie de artículos señalados como Actas de la Asamblea. Además, verificamos cuidadosamente cada referencia de página, nota al pie e índice para verificar su precisión. Esta es la primera actualización de nuestro Libro de Orden en dos años, por lo que debería estar en el estante de cada Anciano Docente y Secretario de Sesión”.
El libro de 253 páginas es el Volumen 1 de la Constitución de EPC y está compuesto por el Libro de Gobierno, el Libro de Disciplina (que incluye Formularios de Disciplina), el Libro de Culto, las Reglas para la Asamblea, las Actas de Asamblea y un índice completo. La edición de este año incluye enmiendas al Libro de Orden y Reglas para la Asamblea ratificadas a través de la 42.ª Asamblea General (2022), así como las Actas de la 42.ª Asamblea General.
La Constitución de la EPC consiste en el Libro de Orden, la Confesión de Fe de Westminster (incluidos los Catecismos Mayor y Menor) y el documento “Fundamentos de nuestra fe”. Todos estos están subordinados a la Escritura, que es “la autoridad suprema y final en todos los asuntos sobre los que habla”.
Los recursos adicionales descargables en español incluyen la Guía de Capacitación de Liderazgo de EPC, el Manual de Procedimientos para los Comités Ministeriales y de Candidatos, y Caminando con Jesús: Un Devocional Familiar escrito por Héctor Reynoso, Pastor de la Iglesia Presbiteriana Génesis en Mercedes, Texas.
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The Spanish-language 2022-23 EPC Book of Order is now available in downloadable PDF format at www.epc.org/recursosenespanol.
“This updated edition of our Book of Order includes all the decisions ratified by the 42nd General Assembly at Ward Church last June,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “That Assembly approved three amendments to the Book of Government and two revisions to the Book of Worship, as well as a number of items noted as Acts of the Assembly. In addition, we carefully checked every page reference, footnote, and index for accuracy. This is the first update to our Book of Order in two years, so it should be on every Teaching Elder and Clerk of Session’s shelf.”
The 253-page book is Volume 1 of the EPC Constitution and is comprised of the Book of Government, Book of Discipline (including Forms for Discipline), Book of Worship, Rules for Assembly, Acts of Assembly, and a full index. This year’s edition includes amendments to the Book of Order and Rules for Assembly ratified through the 42nd General Assembly (2022), as well as Acts of the 42nd General Assembly.
The Constitution of the EPC consists of the Book of Order, the Westminster Confession of Faith (including the Larger and Shorter Catechisms), and the document “Essentials of Our Faith.” All these are subordinate to Scripture, which is “the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks.”
Additional downloadable Spanish resources include the EPC Leadership Training Guide, the Procedure Manual for Ministerial and Candidates Committees, and Walking with Jesus: A Family Devotional written by Hector Reynoso, Pastor of Genesis Presbyterian Church in Mercedes, Texas.
Bay Presbyterian Church in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, will host Disability & The Church 2023 on Friday and Saturday, April 28-29. The event is the largest annual disability ministry conference in North America and is presented by Key Ministry in collaboration with the Tim Tebow Foundation.
Topics of this year’s conference include:
On Thursday, April 27, an optional, pre-conference slate of Ministry Intensives includes three options:
Disability & The Church is designed for pastors, leadership teams, care teams, and children’s/student ministry leaders. Cost is $129 per person (through April 21; $159 on April 22 and later. EPC members are eligible for a 20 percent discount by using the code EPC23 at registration. The Thursday add-on is $69 per person (through April 21; $79 on April 22 and later).
“I have known the Key Ministry staff for many years, and I wholeheartedly endorse their efforts,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “If your church has a disability ministry—or you are praying about starting one—you should attend this conference.”
For more information, see www.keyministry.org/datc2023.
The spiral-bound, printed edition of the 2022-23 Book of Order is now available for purchase through EPC Resources. The cost per book is $15.43 plus shipping.
“This updated edition of our Book of Order includes all the decisions ratified by the 42nd General Assembly at Ward Church last June,” said Dean Weaver, EPC Stated Clerk. “That Assembly approved three amendments to the Book of Government and two revisions to the Book of Worship, as well as a number of items noted as Acts of the Assembly. In addition, we carefully checked every page reference, footnote, and index for accuracy. This is the first update to our Book of Order in two years, so it should be on every Teaching Elder and Clerk of Session’s shelf.”
The 253-page book is Volume 1 of the EPC Constitution and is comprised of the Book of Government, Book of Discipline (including Forms for Discipline), Book of Worship, Rules for Assembly, Acts of Assembly, and a full index. This year’s edition includes amendments to the Book of Order and Rules for Assembly ratified through the 42nd General Assembly (2022), as well as Acts of the 42nd General Assembly.
The Constitution of the EPC consists of the Book of Order, the Westminster Confession of Faith (including the Larger and Shorter Catechisms), and the document “Essentials of Our Faith.” All these are subordinate to Scripture, which is “the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks.”
The second printing of the EPC Leadership Training Guide (revised edition) is now available for purchase at www.epcresources.org/products/leadership-training-guide. Subtitled “A Resource for Pastors, Elders, and Church Leaders of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church,” the guide was developed by the EPC’s Ministerial Vocation and Theology committees, and produced by the EPC Office of the General Assembly.
The 230-page, spiral-bound book is designed to assist churches in leadership development and includes instructions on how to use the material to prepare ministers, Ruling Elders, and deacons for their ordination vows. The 15 chapters are Early Church History, Reformed Church History, Reading the Bible, Theology, Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology, The Holy Spirit, Ecclesiology and the Sacraments, Eschatology, The Purpose for Which God Created the World, Church Government, The Officers of the Church, The Life and Character of the Officer, and Leading Healthy Churches. Each chapter concludes with practical leadership applications and questions for review and discussion. Also included are the EPC ordination vows and an Emotional and Spiritual Health Inventory.
The cost per book is $13.36 plus shipping.
November is Open Enrollment month for the EPC’s Health Benefit programs. Open Enrollment presents the opportunity for churches to enroll their staff or make changes to employee coverages. The 2023 Open Enrollment website provides information on the EPC’s five medical/prescription drug plan choices, as well as dental, vision, and life/disability insurance benefits.
Individual plan details and comparison charts are easily accessed, as well as information on Member Care programs such as chronic condition management, nurse health coaching, 24/7 virtual primary care, and the Healthcare Bluebook. All enrollment or coverage changes made during Open Enrollment will become effective January 1, 2023.
During open enrollment for 2023:
Bart Francescone
“Our staff and Board of Directors work hard in partnership with our plan administrators to provide high-quality benefits and a variety of health management programs at the lowest possible cost,” said Bart Francescone, Executive Director of EPC Benefit Resources, Inc. (BRI). “Our benefit programs are designed to support the achievement of personal health goals and to provide assurance that medical expenses will be covered should a need arise. With these assurances, it is our hope that EPC ministers and staff will be free to focus their energies on their callings to proclaim the gospel.”
EPC benefit plans are available to full-time employees (30 hours or more per week) of EPC churches, as well as World Outreach domestic workers, chaplains, and EPC ministers serving out-of-bounds or without call.
“Anyone new to the EPC—or interested in enrolling in one of our benefit programs for the first time—should contact the individual who handles benefits at their church or organization,” Francescone said. “And as always, BRI staff members are happy to answer any questions someone may have about our programs.”
For more information about the EPC’s 2023 benefit plans, contact BRI at 407-930-4492 or benefits@epc.org, or see www.epc.org/2023openenrollment.
The EPC’s benefit programs are administered through BRI, a ministry of the EPC under the leadership of Francescone and the BRI Board of Directors. The BRI Board is a permanent committee of the General Assembly.
