The New Wineskins EPC Transitional Presbytery is made up of congregations that were called by God to leave the portion of His one great vineyard that He assigned to the PC(USA) and to move to the portion of that vineyard under the stewardship of the EPC.
Formally established in 2005, the New Wineskins Association of Churches was formed beginning in 2001 by a group of pastors and elders of the PC(USA) who were seeking to discern the best way for the 21st Century Church to be more missional, Reformed, evangelical, and Presbyterian. At about the same time, the EPC formed a Long Range Planning Commission (LRPC) to study the same question.
Then, in 2006, NWAC formed a National Strategy Team to examine and report on the faithful options open to PC(USA) churches in response to the actions of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) taken earlier that year. In the Fall of 2006, the Strategy Team formulated a report that found that churches within the PC(USA) were faced with two faithful options: to respond to God’s call to remain within the PC(USA) and to continue to work to reform and restore it to historic Reformed theology, or, in the alternative, to peacefully depart to another Reformed body.
At the same time, NWAC leadership and the LRPC met to discuss their mutual concerns. In February 2007, the NWAC unanimously approved and adopted the Strategy Team report, and on June 22, 2007, the 27th General Assembly of the EPC approved the establishment of transitional presbyteries. The first four churches were received into NWEPC on June 24, 2007.
We are Reformed in our theology, missional and evangelical in our purpose, and Presbyterian in our form of government.
The process is fairly straightforward. The church asks the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery to dismiss it to the geographic presbytery in which the church is located. The TE(s) and REs are then examined by the appropriate committees or administrative commissions, Committee on Ministry (COM) for TEs and a committee or Administrative Commission for the REs. The TEs are also examined on the floor of the geographic presbytery. The examinations will be in accordance with Chapter 13, Book of Government. The appropriate committee(s) of the existing EPC geographic Presbytery will assist in preparing for the examination. Upon approval by the geographic presbytery, the move is complete.
By all accounts, the churches that have moved directly to geographic presbyteries have reported that the experience has been carried out in a spirit of love and collegiality. To read Information For Inquiring Congregations, click here. To read testimonial statements from TEs and REs of their experiences, click here.
Once the properly completed application is received in the EPC’s Office of the General Assembly, the Joint Commission will act upon it at its next bi-weekly meeting. In emergency situations, the Joint Commission will convene a special meeting to receive congregations on the same day that the application is received.
The NWEPC Transitional Presbytery/Support Network represents the connectional and relational nature of the larger church; connectional in that the TP/SN is the larger body facilitating the connections between Ministry Networks in a shared mission and ministry; relational in that the TP/SN is less about structure and more about prayer, worship, theological reflection, networking, resource sharing, equipping, and planning for shared ministry. In other words, the Support Network functions to serve the Ministry Network and local congregation as opposed to regulating those bodies.
The Coordinating Team is the leadership of the presbytery, similar to the council in PC(USA) presbyteries. It is composed of the Moderator, Stated Clerk(s), and Committee Chairs. See the Directory of Officers / Coordinating Team for more information.
The New Wineskins EPC Transitional Presbytery (NWEPC) is comprised only of congregations that belong to the New Wineskins Association of Churches (NWAC). It operates under the NWAC constitution until the Joint Commission of EPC and New Wineskins leaders present a plan of full integration of the two bodies and that plan is approved by both bodies. This integration will likely occur in stages over the five-year period ending in late June 2012.
The National Transitional Presbytery is made up of non-NWAC churches seeking to move into the EPC. It serves as the facilitator for becoming members of existing geographic EPC Presbytery. All churches received into transitional membership in the EPC that are not affiliated with New Wineskins will be assigned to the appropriate EPC geographic presbytery. Examinations and reception into membership will be completed when both the churches and the EPC presbytery are ready and able to do so.
The NW EPC Transitional Presbytery is the denominational home of congregations that have been “received” by the EPC Joint Commission as members. The Presbytery is one of 10 EPC Presbyteries. Click here for more information.
The New Wineskins Association of Churches is an organization of congregations, as of this writing, from the PC(USA), the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery and the EPC geographic presbyteries, who share common beliefs and a vision for a missional future. In order to join, endorsing congregations, via Session vote, must affirm the NWAC Constitution, the NWAC Essential Tenets of Faith and NWAC Ethical Imperatives. Click here for more information about becoming an endorsing congregation. The NWAC is not a denominational home.
Because NW EPC Transitional Presbytery and the New Wineskins Association of Churches are separate, complementary entities, congregations can concurrently be members of both.
Medical Coverage – The EPC provides a denominational medical benefits program and a defined contribution retirement plan. The medical benefits plan is a conventional PPO program administered by Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Pastors of member churches (including assistants and associates) are required to participate unless they have coverage through retirement from a previous employer (such as the military). All ordained ministers are eligible to participate. Church staffs are welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information about the EPC’s medical plan, click here.
Retirement Plan – The EPC retirement plan is a 403(b) defined contribution plan open to ordained and non-ordained persons. Similar to a 401(k), each plan participants owns the assets in his/her account, including employer and employee contributions. The EPC requires a contribution minimum of 10% of salary and housing for ordained ministers. A 403(b) plan allows retired ministers to withdraw funds under the housing allowance tax exclusion, subject to applicable tax laws. Participants have the option of investing in nearly 30 different investment funds managed by Fidelity Investments. For more information about the EPC’s retirement plan, click here.
There has never been, to our knowledge, the loss of any earned pension benefit due to leaving one’s denomination for the EPC. It is true that someone who is not fully vested in his/her current denominational program will not continue to vest past the point of leaving. One’s vesting, or accrual of points or credit within a defined benefit plan, are frozen at the point of leaving. This would be true of leaving one’s denomination under any circumstances. However, benefits earned up to the point of leaving constitute a legal obligation and, again, to our knowledge, no one has ever been deprived of such. Call your current pension administrator for further details. To learn more about EPC’s benefits, click here.
The process is fairly straightforward. The church asks the NW EPC Presbytery to dismiss it to the geographic presbytery in which the church is located. The TE(s) and REs are then examined by the appropriate committees or administrative commissions, COM for TEs and a committee or AC for the REs. The TEs are also examined on the floor of the geographic presbytery.Upon approval by the geographic presbytery, the move is complete.
By all accounts, the churches that have moved directly to geographic presbyteries have reported that the experience has been carried out in a spirit of love and collegiality. For more information see http://www.epc.org/mediafiles/inquiry-packet.pdf and the statements of the experiences of TEs and REs elsewhere on this website.
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. Click here for more information.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church was formed in 1981 and has over 90,000 members in more than 250 congregations. It is organized into 8 geographic and 2 non-geographic/transitional presbyteries. It supports approximately 80 World Outreach missionaries to over 20 countries throughout the world with new missionaries in the process of preparation. The EPC is Reformed in theology, meaning we believe what the Bible teaches as summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger and Shorter Catechisms. We are Presbyterian in polity, meaning we are governed by elders and ministers at the local, regional and national level and that we are connected to one another in purpose and accountability. We are evangelical in spirit, meaning that our top priority is to spread the good news of God's grace in Jesus Christ and in expanding Christ's kingdom through planting more churches.Click here for more information including EPC FAQs.
Teaching Elders are the ordained pastors of congregations (including retired pastors and those waiting for and seeking calls). Ruling Elders are elected, ordained lay leaders. The Teaching Elders and those Ruling Elders of a congregation in active service comprise the Session.
Becausethe Ministry is seen as the first office in the Church, special preparation is required.
A person desiring to become an ordained Minister shall first become a Candidate under the care of the Presbytery of which that person’s church is a member.
This process when the person seeking ordination by receives the endorsement of the particular Church Session where the person’s membership has been held for at least six months.
When the particular Church Session has approved the Candidate, application shall be made to the NW EPC Ministry Committee.
The Ministry Committee makes whatever tests of gifts and abilities, as well as of sincerity of purpose, it deems necessary. If the Candidate is approved, the Committee shall recommend to Presbytery the approval of candidacy.
The Presbytery shall make public examination of the Candidate as to Christian experience and growth, the motive for seeking ordination, and a statement regarding the person’s call to the Ministry. If approved, the Presbytery shall proceed as follows:
The Candidate shall stand before the Presbytery and respond affirmatively to the following questions to be put by the Moderator of the Presbytery:
As you understand God’s working in your heart and life, do you continue to affirm that you feel called to the Gospel Ministry?
Do you now submit yourself to the care and supervision of this Presbytery as you prepare yourself for this task?
Do you renew your commitment as a Christian, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, to live as becomes a follower of Jesus?
The Candidate shall kneel and the Moderator, or someone appointed by the Moderator, shall offer a special prayer of thanksgiving and a blessing to rest upon the Candidate. A charge shall be given to the Candidate by someone appointed by the Moderator. The Moderator shall then declare the person received as a Candidate and the person’s name placed on the Candidate roll of the Presbytery. Afterwards, it is appropriate either for the Moderator on behalf of the Presbytery, or for the entire Presbytery, to extend to the Candidate the right hand of fellowship.
The Presbytery shall assign a Minister of the Word to serve as advisor to the Candidate, ordinarily not the Candidate’s Pastor. The advisor and the Candidate’s Pastor shall report regularly to the Ministry Committee on the progress of the Candidate. It is also appropriate for the home church of the Candidate to have some special service of recognition.
The Ministry Committee shall oversee the training program of the Candidate, giving encouragement and pastoral attention, and making an annual report to the Presbytery of the progress of the Candidate.
After being under the care of a Presbytery for a minimum of one year, the Candidate may request transfer to another Presbytery. Ordinarily, a Candidate must be under care for a minimum of one year prior to ordination.
A Candidate shall pursue a course of study that leads to a degree from a four-year college and a degree from a seminary approved by the Presbytery, requiring at least three years of study. The Candidate shall have had appropriate courses in the original languages of the Scriptures and shall complete an exegesis in one such language on a passage assigned by the Presbytery.
Dual membership is when a congregation is concurrently a member of the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery and a member in an EPC geographic presbytery.
The New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery has several functions. First, it is a test bed for the New Wineskins Vision of a new model missional evangelical Presbyterian and reformed church for the 21st Century. In that role, it helps congregations become part of Ministry Networks and helps Ministry networks develop their full potential.
It also serves as a way station, a safe harbor, for churches leaving the PC(USA). From the beginning, the leadership of both the NWAC and the EPC recognized that, for many congregations, their departure from the PC(USA) would be emotionally and physically demanding. Congregations that had finally made the move would need a place where they could rest and recuperate, while preparing for the continuation of their journey.
Dual membership was first explored and tested by Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. Signal Mountain, a member of NWAC, was received into the Presbytery of the Southeast prior to the authorization by the 27th GA for the establishment of the New Wineskins Transitional Non-geographic Presbytery. When the NWEPC was authorized, Signal Mountain wanted to be part of NWEPC for the reasons discussed above. At the same time, it had already formed strong relationships within POTSE.
The question was posed: Is presbytery membership an “either-or” issue? The answer was “No.” While Signal Mountain remains under the ecclesiastical authority of POTSE with respect to issues which fall within, e.g., the Ministry Committee, it was also welcomed as a full member of the NWEPC.
The advantage of dual membership flows both ways. As a full member of POTSE (with voice and vote) Signal Mountain is positioned to witness within a traditional presbyterian model to the benefits of the bottom-up structure of the New Wineskins vision. As a full member of NWEPC, Signal Mountain is positioned to witness to NWEPC members that the transition into a geographic presbytery is nothing to be feared, that the geographic presbyteries offer the Biblical faithfulness and theological soundness that we found lacking in our former denominational home. As more NWEPC churches move to full membership in geographic presbyteries, they will have the opportunity to act as a leavening agent to speak to and for the lessons learned within their Ministry Networks. And by keeping their NWEPC membership, they will be witnesses for the next waves of churches that come into NWEPC with the same questions and concerns.
For former PC(USA) churches, the best comparison is to “per capita,” but the similarities end with the fact that both are income generators to support the General Assembly, as well as the work of presbyteries.
Per capita in the PC(USA) is a set amount of money (apportionment) per member that congregations pay to the larger PC(USA) (see www.pcusa.org/percapita/faq.htm) which includes payments to the General Assembly, the Synod and the Presbytery. The General Assembly would announce that the per capita for a particular year was $6.00. (All figures are hypothetical and for purposes of illustration, only.) The Synod would then add on a per capita assessment of $2.00. Presbytery would then establish a per capita assessment of $18.00 and would announce to all sessions that per capita for the year was a total of $26.00. The presbytery would also act as the collections agent for the Synod and the General Assembly, i.e., the session would send a single per capita payment (or make installment payments) to its presbytery. The presbytery would keep its portion and forward the remainder of the funds to the General Assembly and the Synod.
In the event that a congregation did not remit its full per capita to the presbytery, the presbytery was required to absorb the loss from its funds. Thus, if a session, as a matter of conscience decided to remit only a partial payment, for example the $18.00 presbytery per capita payment, the presbytery was nonetheless required to send $6.00 to the General Assembly and to keep only $12.00 for its own mission and ministry.
In the EPC, the Office of the General Assembly and each presbytery establishes its own per member asking and communicates that request directly to the sessions. Congregations make separate payments to the EPC GA and the presbytery.
In addition, those churches that are members of the New Wineskins Association of Churches (NWAC) have been asked to prayerfully consider a gift of $5.00 per member directly to NWAC.
To pay a NW EPC Transitional Presbytery PMA, mail your check(s) to: Ms. Amy Uptain, Treasurer
NW EPC Transitional Presbytery 11570-A Memorial Parkway, South Huntsville, AL 35801
To pay an EPG OGA PMA, mail your check(s) to: EPC Office of the General Assembly 17197 N. Laurel Park Drive, Suite 567 Livonia, MI 48152-7012
According to our Constitution, the presbytery must meet a minimum of twice annually. Because our presbytery is non-geographic and for the convenience of commissioners, we convene our meetings to be adjacent to large events, such as the EPC General Assembly gatherings and NWAC Convocations. Check the website calendarfor dates.
There are many reasons to regularly attend meetings of the geographic presbytery that covers the physical area in which your church is located. These are the folks with whom we will engage in ministry. It presents an opportunity to engage in fellowship with people who understand our move and for us to get to know each other better. It is also an opportunity to provide first-hand information to our brothers and sisters in the EPC about the New Wineskins vision of a missional, Reformed, evangelical presbyterian church made up of ministry networks. We enthusuastically encourage New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery TEs and REs, as well as members of congregations, to make these meetings a priority on your calendars. Mingle, mix, pray together, meet your brothers and sisters.
Click here for info about the EPC geographic presbyteries and meetings.
Each TE on your church staff can be a commissioner at a presbytery meeting. In addition, for every TE on your church staff you can have two RE commissioners.
The NW EPC Transitional Presbytery Joint Commission was created by an act of the 27th EPC General Assembly.
The powers of the Commission are to constitute and oversee the organization and operation of the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery and to receive churches and pastors into the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery according to the “Structure for Receiving Churches and Pastors Transitionally” document and to serve as its liaison and reporting body to the General Assembly.
In 2007, the following vision statement was adopted: “We envision that by July 1, 2012, the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church will realize a full integration that will result in a renewed missional, reformed and evangelical Presbyterian body. This denomination will organize itself around a shared evangelical and reformed theology that equips and connects local congregations for collaborative ministry and mission in their own community and around the world.”
The members of the Joint Commission are REs/TEs in EPC leadership and geographic presbyteries and in the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery.
From EPC Leadership/Geographic Presbyteries: TE Bill Meyer, Co-Chair (Florida Presbytery); RE Zelda Artz (East Presbytery); RE Chris Danusiar (Mid-America Presbytery); TE Marty Martin (West Presbytery); RE Ed Wedin (Central South Presbytery).
From NW EPC Transitional Presbytery: TE Dean Weaver, Co-Chair (Memorial Park Presbyterian Church, Allison Park, PA); TE Gerrit Dawson (First Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge, LA); RE Trish Dietz (Bay Presbyterian Church, Bay Village, OH and Deputy Stated Clerk); RE Dennis Gorman (Faith Presbyterian Church, Quincy, IL); TE Randy Jenkins (Central Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, AL).
Ex-officio members are: TE Nate Atwood (EPC Moderator Elect 29th EPC General Assembly); TE Carmen Fowler (President, Presbyterian Lay Committee); TE Jeff Jeremiah (EPC Stated Clerk); RE Michael (Mac) McCarty (Stated Clerk); RE Allen Roes (Moderator 28th EPC General Assembly); TE Bill Vogler (EPC Chairman of Committee on Administration).
When the 27th General Assembly authorized the creation of the NWEPC, it established a five year period in which churches could move into the NWEPC to recover from the ardors of their departure from other denominations, to formulate and put into practice the vision of the NWAC constitution, and to prepare to move into full membership in the EPC through the appropriate geographic presbytery. The five year period ends at the adjournment of the 32d General Assembly, circa July 1, 2012.
A Ministry Network is a relational connection between congregations and their leaders who ordinarily share a common geographic proximity and is called to serve its constituent congregations in their work and ministry. The Ministry Network provides the means by which close friendships, mutual support, trust and encouragement and accountability are experienced by the leadership of the local congregations involved. The foundation for these Ministry Networks is grounded in a shared biblical theology and the ethical demonstration of that biblical theology. This foundation includes the mutual call to the individual, corporate and collaborative efforts in fulfilling the terms of The Great Commission, all to the greater glory of God.
For more information on Ministry Networks, click here.
The role of the MMnM is to articulate the vision for the missional church as lived out in the local congregation in partnership with ministry networks. Our Mission and Ministry Network Mobilizer is Andy Curtis. To contact Andy, click here.
There is no question that calling a pastor is one of the most important events in the life of a congregation. The process is intentionally complex so as to ensure that all concerned have given sufficient prayerful concentration to the call. Therefore, as soon as a search committee has been elected, the chair of that committee should contact a member of the Ministry Committee. The Ministry Committee will then appoint a liaison, usually a pastor from the nearest Ministry Network, to work with the search committee.
It is important to remember that no promises should be made to a prospective candidate until the Presbytery has acted on the proposed call. Under no circumstances should a congregational meeting be called to call a pastor until the Ministry Committee has given its approval.
The highlights of the process include the following:
The Church Session calls a congregational meeting to elect a Search Committee.
The Search Committee works in regular consultation with the Ministerial Committee of the Presbytery.
When the Search Committee agrees on a Minister they feel led of God to nominate, it must secure the consent of the Ministerial Committee. (Should that Committee decline to consent, the Search Committee may persist with the nomination, recognizing the Presbytery has the right to reject the call.)
The Search Committee then notifies the Church Session in writing and the Church Session shall call a congregational meeting.
When the congregational meeting has been convened, the Search Committee makes its report and recommendations to call a Pastor. This recommendation shall include the details for remuneration, including all benefits. The congregation conducts a counted vote in a fashion it deems appropriate. A majority favoring the recommendation is required to elect a Pastor. The exact vote must be recorded in the minutes and the person being elected notified of the count. The congregation shall appoint representatives to advocate the call at a meeting of the Presbytery.
We reiterate that it is a good idea for the search committee to contact the Ministry Committee early in the process.
When asked in the 9/11/08 EPNews “What you believe God is calling us to, EPC Stated Clerk, Rev. Dr. Jeff Jeremiah responded:
“I believe that God is calling the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to wholeheartedly and passionately re-embrace the Great Commission and become a missional denomination.” Click here for more info.
The NW Presbytery shares that vision and will work to move us to a new paradigm where every congregation and every congregation member will passionately seek to do the missional work of the Kingdom. This missional work is within our homes, congregations, communities, states, regions, nation and the world. To be missional is to think missionally – that is to know that the missional work is not exclusively in the mission fields far away in remote locations, but at each of our kitchen tables, and beyond.
A missional church is a church:
That is grounded in the Scriptures and historic Christian orthodoxy and so committed to the primacy of the Great Commission.
That believes that the United States has become post-Christian and is now a mission field.
That believes that it has been planted by God in its own community to effectively reach those around them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
That is committed to reproducing a community of authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.
That is continually in the process of equipping its members to be missionaries sent by God to live and proclaim the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus in their own world and to the ends of the earth.
That is constantly re-examining itself as to whether it is merely doing maintenance of existing ministries and members, or whether or not it is effectively doing the mission of reaching its own community with the reign of God through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.
That perceives that the essence of these fundamental attributes is the essence of its own existence.
A missional denomination is a denomination:
That believes the location of ministry is the local church.
That is made up of local congregations committed to be missional.
That constantly re-examines itself as to whether or not its polity, structures and programs are serving or inhibiting a missional mindset.
For additional information:
2008 Report of the EPC General Assembly Long Range Planning Committee
Suggested reading list from the New Wineskins Association of Churches on the topic of missional.
No. NW EPC Transitional Presbytery members are not Commissioners and therefore are afforded voice, but not vote in the General Assembly. Voting commissioners can only be from geographic, non-transitional presbyteries. Members of either transitional presbytery, by nature of the word transitional, can not serve as voting commissioners. However, members of the NW EPC Transitional Presbytery are encouraged to attend and participate in General Assembly gatherings. General Assembly gatherings provide excellent, valuable opportunities to meet and network with people from around the corner and around the nation.
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