In this episode, Dean sits down with Matt Stinson, Executive Director of Finance and Operations at Colonial Village Presbyterian Church, to explore the heart behind church administration.

Matt shares his story of transitioning from the business world into full-time church operations, offering thoughtful reflections on the distinct challenges – and opportunities – of managing the practical life of a congregation. Together, he and Dean discuss how executive pastors and administrative leaders can serve both the mission of the church and the people in the pews.

Whether you’re in church leadership or simply curious about the unseen work that keeps ministry running, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and a glimpse into what faithfulness looks like behind the scenes.

This September, we’re back with a new webinar, “When the Dust Settles”, as part of our Healthy Leaders, Healthy Churches series. Listen in as Annie and Roy talk about how we can approach conflict in a way that preserves and even strengthens our relationships. Bring your toughest questions and real-life scenarios to share through our anonymous Q&A.

🔗To register, click here!

End of Fiscal Year Budget Report

Percentage of Income

The EPC ends the year on a strong financial note. The year-to-date POI, or percentage of income, through Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY 24-25) was $2,601,393 and was $40,110 higher than the Fiscal Year budget of $2,561,283. 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, in comparison to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (FY 23-24), the POI has increased by 9.4%.

Stated Clerk Dean Weaver shares, “These figures are very encouraging as we have worked to be more efficient, not only in the way we carry out the work of ministry but in the way we plan to support the work financially.”

Financial Position

Operating expenses totaled $3,471,635 through FY 24-25, which is $201,043 less than FY 23-24 expenses of $3,672,678. The operating cash reserve ratio was 2.5 months in FY 23-24 and stands soundly at 3.1 months as of FY 24-25, which is slightly above the average.

Rolling Average

The 12-month rolling average for POI this past year (FY 24-25) is $211,024 which is 4.4% higher than the rolling average as of the FY 23-24.

Fund Balances Report

We have seen continued growth in giving which allows the EPC to provide needed resources to EPC churches and leaders for ministry. For example, our Medical Benevolence Fund continues to grow (Ending Balance of $115,524) which allows us to help retired EPC ministers and missionaries in need of financial assistance for emergency medical situations. The Domestic Emergency Relief Fund has decreased with an Ending Balance of $717,676 because of the recent floods and natural disasters that have taken place across the country.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be a resource for our EPC churches as they minister locally. Along with the fact that we have finished the FY 24-25 ahead of budget, we have much to praise God for! We also thank each of you for your continued financial support and partnership in the Gospel.

In this episode, Dean is joined by Chris White, Lead Pastor of Gateway Church EPC, for a thoughtful conversation on discipleship in today’s cultural landscape. Together, they unpack the challenges of forming mature believers in a world of competing stories, and why faithful discipleship is more important than ever.

Chris shares personal experiences from his own journey, explores the power of biblical storytelling in cultural engagement, and reflects on what it means to live out the gospel in our everyday lives. From Sunday mornings to the mundane moments of the week, this conversation calls us back to a life deeply rooted in Christ and faithfully lived in the world.

🔗 Learn more about Chris’s church: gatewaychurchepc.org
📚 Explore more resources on discipleship and ministry at: epconnect.org/ministryresources

How do we faithfully live as disciples of Christ in a world that often divides the sacred from the secular? In this episode of In All Things, Dean is joined by Case Thorp to explore the integration of faith and culture, with a particular focus on living out faith in the workplace.

Case shares wisdom on how to define faithfulness in a professional context, how to navigate the sometimes murky waters of calling versus career, and what practical steps followers of Jesus can take to faithfully engage the marketplace without compromising their beliefs. Whether you’re a pastor, business owner, teacher, or in any other field, this episode will encourage you to approach your daily work as sacred.

🔗 Learn more about Case Thorp and his work at: wecolabor.com
🔗 Explore EPC’s Ministerial Vocation Resources: epconnect.org/ministerialvocation/mvcresources/

Grace & Peace to our EPC Family! It’s time for another short video for “EPC Did You Know?” This month, we hear from our National Director of Church Health, Marc de Jeu, on what Church Health means as a Gospel Priority and the role of a Church Health Coordinator in the EPC. Watch the full video HERE

During our 45th General Assembly, the Fraternal Relations Committee approved the Affirmation of Fraternal and Confessional Relations between the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the EPC(USA). This partnership may include:

• Invitations for appointed representatives to attend and exchange fraternal greetings at meetings of their General Assemblies
• Opportunities for ministers in training to benefit from exchange visits
• The mutual sharing of published resources
• Possibilities of short-term mission-team visits
• Encouragement of bi lateral bonds of fellowship between congregations of both denominations.

We also had the honor of welcoming the PCI’s new Moderator, Dr. Trevor Gribben, as a speaker at General Assembly. To watch Dr. Gribben’s message and the General Assembly replay, please click here. You can also watch the replay of all General Assembly services here!

Join us for our last episode of Season 4 and our last day of General Assembly. Guest host and podcast producer Gianna Lazzaro sits down with Michael Davis, the EPC’s Assistant Stated Clerk, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to plan and execute a successful General Assembly.

To watch the replay of our General Assembly worship services, plenary sessions and business sessions, click HERE.

This past week, the EPC had the privilege of recognizing Valley Hope Church as the latest recipient of the Bart Hess Award. Please take a few minutes to learn their story and how they came together during a time of disaster to minister the love and hope of Christ in their community.

Ritchey Cable

https://youtu.be/cGsxNzl5QVU

This special episode of In All Things comes to you straight from the 45th General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church! Guest host and podcast producer Gianna Lazzaro sits down with Dean Weaver, the EPC’s Stated Clerk, for a behind-the-scenes conversation on all that’s been happening this week in Michigan.

Together, we reflect on the worship services, fellowship, and equipping opportunities that are energizing the EPC family, as well as some of the highlights from across the Assembly. From networking lunches to powerful reaching, from late-night laughter to Spirit-filled moments of prayer; this episode captures the heart of what it means to gather as a denomination grounded in our Firm Foundation.

Whether you’re here with us or listening from afar, we invite you into the rhythm and beauty of GA week.

Be sure to catch next week’s episode for a full debrief on the business decisions made at this year’s Assembly and what’s ahead for the EPC.

In this episode of In All Things, Dean sits down with Zach Hopkins, a teaching elder and member of the EPC’s Permanent Judicial Commission. Together, they explore the courts of the church, the importance of presbyteries in our connectional system, and how overtures shape the life and direction of our family of churches.

As his presbytery brings several overtures to this year’s General Assembly, Zach also gives us a closer look at what it means for an overture to “ascend” to GA, what the discernment process looks like at every level, and how the permanent Judicial Commission serves in maintaining our shared commitments.

Whether you’re a first-time commissioner or a long-time attendee, this conversation offers a helpful and accessible look into how polity strengthens our Firm Foundation.

📍 Learn more and register for the 45^th General Assembly at epconnect.org/ga2025.

Grace and Peace to our EPC Family! We look forward to seeing you all in less than 2 weeks for the 45th General Assembly and Gospel Priorities Summit, June 17-19.📲 In the meantime, you can stay connected to the EPC by downloading the all new redesigned app for the 45th GA. You’ll find Network Lunch and Equipping session schedules, speaker info, a campus map and directions, updates, and more—ALL IN ONE PLACE.

🔽Download on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/epc-ga/id1004106795?platform=iphone

🔽Download on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epcoga.epc44thga&pcampaignid=web_share

Grace & Peace To Our EPC Family! We thank you for your patience. The 45th General Assembly Commissioner’s Handbook is now available directly on our internal website, EPConnect. Please click the following link to access: https://epconnect.org/ga/ga2025documents/

In this episode of In All Things, special guest host Annie Rose welcomes Doug Resler and Julie Hawkins, co-chairs of the EPC’s Ad-Interim Committee on Ordination Standards and Processes. As the 45th General Assembly approaches, Doug and Julie provide a thoughtful behind-the-scenes look at the purpose and work of their committee, formed to evaluate and recommend updates to the EPC’s ordination standards.

Together, they discuss the why behind their recommendations, the theological and pastoral considerations that shaped their work, and their hopes for how these changes might serve the long-term health and unity of the EPC. Whether you’re a Teaching Elder, Ruling Elder, or someone discerning a call to ministry, this episode offers a helpful and hopeful look at how we affirm and equip those called to serve Christ’s church. To read more about the committee’s recommendations coming before the General Assembly this June, click here!

Register for GA here: epconnect.org/ga2025

In this special episode of In All Things, Dean Weaver is joined by Rev. Dr. Scott McKee, Lead Pastor of Ward Church in Northville, Michigan—this year’s host of the 45th General Assembly of the EPC. As the final worship speaker for the week, Scott shares how deeply honored the Ward Church community is to welcome the EPC family this June and what it has meant to prepare for this gathering of pastors, elders, and leaders from across the denomination.

Scott also opens up about his recent health journey and the unexpected diagnosis that has tested his faith—and strengthened it. In a world that often shakes beneath our feet, Scott points us back to the firm foundation of God’s Word and reminds us of the importance of building our lives not on the shifting sands of circumstance, but on the unshakable rock of Christ.

Whether you’re heading to GA this year or simply seeking encouragement in your walk with Jesus, this conversation is rich with hope, humility, and a clear call to faithfulness.

Register for GA: epconnect.org/ga2025