In this episode of our General Assembly 2025 Series, Dean sits down with Dr. Karen Jobes – Professor Emerita of New Testament Greek and Greek Exegesis at Wheaton College, and one of our featured worship speakers at GA 2025.

Karen shares how her love for Greek and Scripture led her to teaching, study, and service to the Church. She and Dean talk about the passage Karen will be preaching from during General Assembly, found in 1 Peter, and how it ties in with this year’s theme of Firm Foundation. Her reflections point us back to the living hope we have in Christ – and the Word that sustains and anchors us in every season of life and ministry.

📚 You can explore Dr. Jobes’ work and writing here.

📍Register for GA and learn more at epconnect.org/ga2025

In this episode of In All Things, Dean sits down with Dr. Michael Kruger – President of Reformed Theological Seminary, professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, and author of The Bully Pulpit. Michael will open the 45^th General Assembly with the first worship message on Tuesday morning, helping set the tone for a week rooted in the firm foundation of the gospel.

Together, Dean and Michael reflect on what it means to trust the Bible in a skeptical age, how the authority of Scripture shapes our identity as a church, and why that foundation is crucial for the EPC.

📚 Learn more about The Bully Pulpit here.
🌐 Connect with Michael and his work: michaeljkruger.com
📍 Register for GA and get all the details: epconnect.org/ga2025

In this episode of In All Things, Dean Weaver is joined by Bob Garment, the Chief Parliamentarian of the EPC. As we look ahead to the 45^th General Assembly, Bob walks us through the courts of the church, explains the role of the Chief Parliamentarian, and helps us understand how our polity supports the mission of the EPC. He also shares some insider tips for commissioners preparing to attend General Assembly – whether it’s your first time or your forty-fifth!

This episode is a great behind-the-scenes look at what happens during business sessions and how these gatherings reflect our theological commitments and shared vision.

📩 Have questions? You can reach Bob directly at bob.garment@epc.org.
🔗 Learn more and register for General Assembly at epconnect.org/ga2025

In this kickoff episode of our General Assembly 2025 Series, Dean is joined by Marti Ratcliff, the General Assembly Team Lead and the EPC’s go-to expert for all things GA. Together, they take listeners behind the scenes of what it takes to pull off a week like this – and why it matters.

Marti shares what the role of GA Lead really entails, how she works year-round to bring the vision for General Assembly to life, and what attendees can expect from this year’s experience at Ward Church in Northville, Michigan. From worship services and equipping sessions to networking lunches and registration logistics, Marti gives us a preview of the meaningful moments – and the moving parts – that make GA a rich and welcoming space for commissioners, leaders, and guests across the EPC.

🗓️ Whether it’s your first time attending or your tenth, this conversation will help you walk into GA confident, equipped, and ready for all God will do.

📍 Learn more and register today at epconnect.org/ga2025

Budget Report

As of March 2025, the POI, or percentage of income, for the month totaled $288,562, exceeding the budgeted amount of $230,733. POI is 1% of general operations revenue of a local church that is given to the EPC to support the mission and vision of the denomination. The data shows us, year to date, the POI has increased by 7.6%. This means that we received more income than the expected 1% from each of our EPC churches.

In response to these findings, Stated Clerk Dean Weaver shares, “We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the churches as we work together to fulfill the vision and mission of the EPC.”

We are not only seeing an increase in giving but a reduction in expenses. Total operating expenses through March 2025 are $193,337 less than FY24 expenses.

The 12-month rolling average for POI is $210,137 – 2.3% higher than that of March 2024.

Fund Balances Report

Through an increase in giving as well as an increase in gains from investments, The EPC has been graced with the capacity to do more in advancing God’s kingdom. For example, our Medical Benevolence Fund continues to grow (Ending Balance of $107,720) which allows us to help retired EPC ministers and missionaries in need of financial assistance for emergency medical situations. The Domestic Emergency Relief Fund stands strong with an Ending Balance of $1,017,587. We are grateful for the opportunity to bless our EPC family with accessible resources.

With the end of the third quarter, we are encouraged by the consist support of our EPC churches that allows the EPC to effectively pour into our leadership and minister to the world around us.

In this special Good Friday episode of In All Things, Assistant Stated Clerk Michael Davis leads us in a time of reflection on the suffering, sacrifice, and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Focusing on Jesus’ words on the cross in reference to Psalm 22, Michael invites us to pause and remember the weight of the crucifixion and the hope it brings to a broken world.

As we journey through this sacred weekend, may this episode guide your heart toward deeper worship and gratitude for the love poured on our behalf.

Happy Easter from all of us here at In All Things!

Hello Friends! We have a lot of activity in the EPC that we’re excited about! God is good and does good! Please take a moment to check out some of what’s happening this quarter and GET CONNECTED!

Register for the 45th General Assembly at Ward Church: https://epconnect.org/ga2025/

Register for Fully Human: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZeOPtVStTdGDBdv7fXG7mg#/registration

Register for Transitional Pastor training: https://web.cvent.com/event/0d10b1db-4777-4357-a1cc-2e718616959d/regPage:bd51e65a-cf89-448a-ab23-17f26f002c90

Register for Caring For Your Mental Health: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rvl5ZDW5SIGOP2YAqXwfGA#/registration

Hello EPC Family! In observance of Good Friday, the EPC Office of General Assembly will be closed this Friday, April 18, 2025. Please work in accordance with this change in our regular schedule.

May you be blessed as you remember our Lord’s journey to the cross! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 ESV).”

Join us for a special webinar in our “Healthy Pastors, Healthy Families” series in a partnership with PIR Ministries.

“Fully Human: Caring for Our Bodies” will take place Tuesday, April 22, 4:00-5:30 PM Eastern via Zoom. We welcome our guests: Terence Gray, Associate Pastor at Ward Church, and Noel Jenkins, Intern with EPC World Outreach.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZeOPtVStTdGDBdv7fXG7mg

In this special final episode of our In All Things Book Club, our guests from throughout the series – Marcos Ortega, Nancy Duff, Joe Kim, and Rodger Woodworth – gather once more to speak directly with the author of The Seamless Life, Steven Garber.

Together, they reflect on key themes from the book, such as vocation, friendship, lament, and hope, and share the moments and ideas that resonated most deeply with them. With thoughtful questions and rich dialogue, this conversation brings the series full circle, offering personal insights and deeper engagement with the author’s vision of a life lived seamlessly in faith and work.

Whether you’ve read every page or are just listening in, this episode offers a meaningful conclusion to our journey through The Seamless Life.

📖 Interested in reading along? Get your copy of The Seamless Life here!

In the penultimate episode of our In All Things Book Club series, Dean Weaver is joined by Marcos Ortega, Nancy Duff, Rachel Toone, Joe Kim, and Rodger Woodworth for a thoughtful conversation on the last section of Steven Garber’s The Seamless Life. Special guest Steven Garber himself also joins the conversation to reflect on the themes woven throughout his writing.

Together, the group explores how vocation shapes our lives, the sacredness found in everyday moments, and what it means to remain faithful to the “something” we’ve been given to do – even when it may not feel like everything. They reflect on grace, friendship, brokenness, and the hope that sustains us in the tension between what is and what ought to be.

Whether you’ve been reading along or are just joining the conversation, this episode offers a meaningful stop to a rich journey through The Seamless Life.

📖 Interested in reading along? Get your copy of The Seamless Life here!

In this episode of our In All Things book club series, Dean is joined by guests Marcos Ortega, Rachel Toone, Nancy Duff, and Rodger Woodworth to continue exploring Steven Garber’s The Seamless Life. As they discuss the second half of the book, they wrestle with the challenges of dualism in faith and life, the intersection of vocation and lamentation, and what it means to truly know the world while still loving it.

How do we hold together the tension between the way things are and the way they ought to be? What does it mean to live with coherence in a fragmented world? Join us for this deep and thoughtful conversation on faith, calling, and what it takes to remain faithful in the face of brokenness.

📖 Interested in reading along? Get your copy of The Seamless Life here!

In this episode of In All Things, our book club series continues as we explore the next section of Steven Garber’s The Seamless Life. Dean Weaver is joined by a thoughtful panel of guests—Rachel Toone, Nancy Duff, Marcos Ortega, Joe Kim, and Roger Woodworth—to discuss vocation, occupation, and the intersection of the two.

How do we understand the work we do in light of God’s calling in our lives? Is there a difference between our job and our vocation? Together, our guests reflect on Garber’s insights, sharing their own experiences of living faithfully in their professions while holding onto a broader vision of calling.

From wrestling with fragmentation in our daily lives to embracing the responsibilities that come with knowing and loving the world, this conversation challenges us to think deeply about what it means to integrate faith and work. Whether you’re in ministry, business, education, or any other field, this episode will encourage you to consider how your occupation is part of something much bigger—an invitation to live with coherence, purpose, and love.

Tune in for a rich discussion on calling, responsibility, and the beauty of a life well-lived.

📖 Interested in reading along? Get your copy of The Seamless Life here!

To listen directly on Podbean, click here

In this special episode of In All Things, Joe Stroup joins Dean Weaver to discuss the upcoming Next Gen Leadership Summit, a transformative event for those serving in youth, young adult, and children’s ministry. Joe shares his journey in Next Gen ministry, reflecting on the challenges and joys of discipling the next generation. He and Dean explore the importance of connection and collaboration among Next Gen workers and how the Summit is designed to equip, encourage, and strengthen ministry leaders across the EPC.

Listen to the full episode on the player below OR click the link here to access our Podbean channel.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just stepping into Next Gen ministry, this episode is full of insights and encouragement. You can sign up for the Next Gen Leadership Summit [here], and learn more or connect with Joe Stroup at https://graystonepc.org/.

In this episode of In All Things, Dean Weaver sits down with David Pleuss to discuss the vital role small churches play in their local communities. They explore the importance of churches facing outward rather than inward, embracing their unique calling to be a light in their neighborhoods. David shares practical ways churches can engage their communities, even when resources are limited, and how collaboration with other churches and the presbytery can create a greater impact.

Whether you’re part of a small church looking for new ways to serve or simply passionate about the power of local outreach, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement for being the hands and feet of Christ in your community.

In this episode of In All Things, Dean sits down with Bill Heming, a pastor with extensive experience shepherding small churches. Having led three different congregations, Bill offers a wealth of insight into the unique challenges and opportunities that come with small church ministry.

Throughout the conversation, Bill emphasizes that no two small churches are alike—each one carries its own distinct personality, gifts, and calling. He and Dean explore the importance of flexibility in small church ministry, the power of focusing on just a few things and doing them well, and how small congregations can play a vital role in community revitalization and outreach.

Additionally, they discuss the significance of disability ministries within the church. If you’re interested in learning more about disability ministry, check out these EPC-endorsed organizations:

Key Ministry

King’s Table Ministries

Whether you’re a small church pastor, a leader, or simply someone who cares about the future of small churches, this episode will encourage and inspire you to lean into the strengths God has given your congregation.

Reminder that the Feb 28th deadline for 2024 Annual Church Report is approaching.

The Annual Church Report (ACR) is a vital tool for hearing from you about how the EPC is advancing God’s Kingdom and progressing towards our shared mission and is published annual prior to our General Assembly. Your submission is greatly appreciated and valued.

For questions or issues completing the report please email acr@epcdata.org or call (800) 930-5491.

In this episode of In All Things, Dean sits down with Steve Burton to discuss his journey to Selma, Alabama, and the profound lessons he has learned in ministry along the way. Steve shares how he and his church have sought to engage with their community, not just as a place of worship but as an active presence responding to the unique needs of their neighbors.

Together, Dean and Steve explore the challenges and joys of cross-cultural ministry, the importance of truly listening to a community’s needs, and how small churches can make a lasting impact by embracing where God has placed them. Steve’s story is one of faithfulness, humility, and a deep commitment to the gospel in action.

Tune in for a conversation that will encourage and challenge you to see your community with fresh eyes and to consider how your church can be a light in the place God has called you to serve. To learn more about Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, click here.

Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7 PM Eastern for a Healthy Pastors, Healthy Families webinar on parenting kids with special needs as a ministry couple.

We’ll be joined by TE Michael Flake from Storyhill Church in Davidson, NC and TE Julie Hawkins from Chapel Hill in Gig Harbor, WA. Please consider registering for this webinar to explore how we can help our churches see and respond to the needs of our children.

Please use the following link below to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_moJNUyfaSaqpl-OOKOKvXQ?fbclid=IwY2xjawIa-EJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYoWVz8UdD3EnEzKFBa15HihxlEPxOv1zf1XQnN73ZaQ2mS3oc6bkbBM3A_aem_Atq8CSxrrzxXblTEwL_Mdw#/registration

😄This past week, we had the opportunity to sit down with our Chief Financial Officer, Pat Coelho to learn more about how the EPC receives donations and how those funds are designated! Check out our newest episode of EPC Did You Know?

🔗https://youtu.be/7c16msCo5xU