'Becoming One' Process

Becoming one missional, evangelical, Reformed, Presbyterian Body that is being used by our Lord to further His Kingdom in the world, has been the vision that gave birth to concept of the NWEPC TP/SN within the EPC. This process is designed to provide for those churches and pastors who are now members of the NWEPC TP and those who will become members to enter into full membership in the EPC.  

1.   Receiving Churches and Pastors existing and entering NWEPC TP/SN churches and pastors will begin to be  received into the geographic EPC Presbyteries according to the provisions of the EPC Book of Government beginning after the 29^th (June 2009) with the goal of having the process completed by the 32^nd General Assembly (June 2012).

• Congregations and Pastors so received will have the option of becoming joint members of both the TP/SN and their geographic Presbytery. For joint membership churches and pastors, the geographic Presbytery will be responsible for their ecclesiastical/ governance matters, and both the TP/SN and the geographic Presbytery will provide equipping ministry toward the missional goal.
• The time table for movement will be such so as to respect the needs and processes of both the Presbyteries and the congregations/pastors of the TP/SN.
• The Ministry & Church Development Committees of the geographic Presbyteries will provide assistance to the churches and pastors as needed for the process.

2.   Operational Focus of TP/SN during the “Becoming One” process

• The primary focus will be the development of missional practices and not ecclesiastical/governance responsibilities.
• The Mission Mobilizer of the TP/SN will continue to function as a facilitator to congregations and pastors for the development of missional practices and Ministry Networks among both TP/SN and EPC congregations. Funding will come from per member askings of the TP/SN.
• Ecclesiastical/governance needs such as pastoral transitions, candidates, church planting will be provided for as follows:

Joint Membership churches and pastors will be served by their geographic Presbytery.

Transitional Presbytery member churches will be encouraged to proceed with the process of being received into their geographic Presbytery prior to meeting these needs so there will be continuity during the process. This will eliminate the need for new pastors, etc. having to go through the same process in both the NWEPC TP and in their eventual geographic Presbytery. If it seems more appropriate in a given situation, the TP/SN will handle the process.

• National meetings of the TP/SN will focus mainly on missional development.

3.   Women Teaching Elders

• It is recognized that this issue is potentially troublesome in some EPC geographic Presbyteries. We continue to observe and support the work of the geographic Presbyteries as they discern their positions in the area of Teaching Elder examination and ordination. We affirm the Presbytery’s responsibility in determining the level of each candidate’s qualifications for this office. We pray that this issue will be resolved in a manner that respects the principles of biblical interpretation of all, the consciences of all, and the theological integrity of all.

4.   Financial Realities - Per Member Askings

• The financial strain that many TP/SN congregations have experienced as a result of leaving their former denomination is real and recognized.
• The financial strain placed upon the EPC’s General Assembly related to receiving and continuing to service the needs of the congregations and pastors of the TP/SN is real and recognized.
• As TP/SN congregations and pastors begin to move into the geographic Presbyteries, it is recognized that the receiving Presbyteries will incur financial costs arising directly from the receiving process.
• As a part of their budgeting process, TP/SN congregations are encouraged to acknowledge and consider all these realities; to fully pay or fairly divide the financial support (Per Member Askings) requested of them by the TP/SN, General Assembly, and, when they become joint members, their new geographic Presbyteries. And they are encouraged to forward their 2009 Per Member Askings to both the TP/SN and the General Assembly in a timely manner. They are reminded that the 2009 PMA is $20 for the TP/SN and $25 for the GA.

5.   Work of the Joint Commission

• It will continue to serve those NWAC congregations and pastors seeking to join the EPC through the TP/SN. Non-NWAC congregations will be served by the National Transitional Presbytery or the geographic Presbyteries.
• It will continue to oversee the TP/SN and assist in the receiving process with geographic Presbyteries as necessary.
• The act of the 27^th General Assembly establishing the Joint Commission and allowing for the creation of the New Wineskins EPC Transitional Presbytery called for a five year transitional period ending with the 32^nd General Assembly in 2012. Therefore, the NWEPC Joint Commission and the NWEPC Transitional Presbytery will cease to exist after the 2012 General Assembly unless modified by a future General Assembly.

By the Joint Commission and NW EPC Transitional Presbytery Coordinating Team