The Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a relatively new (founded in 1981) denomination that grew out of the dissatisfaction of many ruling elders and pastors with the increasingly liberal direction of their main-line denomination.
Q. What gives the Evangelical Presbyterian Church its distinctive character?
Its devotion to the essentials of the historic Christian faith; its commitment to the liberty of the Christian conscience in the non-essential matters, where God's Word allows some variance of belief; its emphasis on holding truth and love in dynamic balance; its openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the individual and the church.
Q. What is the EPC view of Scripture?
Scripture is the infallible Word of God and a perfect and unified witness to God's redemptive revelation. the Bible, totally trustworthy and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority in all matters on faith and life.
Q. Is evangelism a priority of the EPC?
Yes! Unequivocally! Proclaiming the Good News by both word and deed is what the church is all about. being faithful to Christ's mandate brings the assurance of Christ's abiding presence and blessing.
Q. How does the EPC view the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The EPC affirms the gifts of God's Spirit as biblically valid for today, and counsels that they be exercised under the guidance of God's Word and the authority of the local session. Since the Holy Spirit is the source of Christian unity, we must ever guard against any use of the gifts which would lead to division within the church. We also affirm the priority of the fruit of the Spirit over the gifts in the Christian life.
Q. What is the geographical distribution of the churches?
The EPC is an international church. in the U.S. consisting of eight presbyteries. Churches may be found in 28 states. The ninth presbytery, St. Andrews, encompasses the state of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Q. Is there an official position on abortion?
The EPC affirms the personhood of the unborn child and urges the preservation of all such life. We counsel loving assistance to the mothers and exhort the fathers to be cognizant of their critical moral responsibility in the procreation of new life. A position paper on abortion is available.
Q. What is the EPC's position on the homosexual lifestyle?
The Scriptures clearly proclaim homosexual behavior is contrary to God's will and therefore sinful. The EPC affirms a life-changing gospel which can heal and transform even such a deep-rooted and serious deviation as homosexuality. A position paper on homosexuality is available.
Q. What is the role of women in the denomination?
Women officers are neither required or forbidden in the EPC. Each congregation is free to study the Scriptures prayerfully and discern just how and where women may best minister in the life of that respective congregation.
Q. Does the EPC belong to the World Council or National Council of Churches?
No! We belong neither to the WCC nor NCC. We are however, a member denomination of the National Association of Evangelicals, the World Evangelical Fellowship and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. The EPC is in ecclesiastical fellowship with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Christian Reformed Church.
Q. Is the EPC charismatic?
If you mean are we pentecostal, the answer is no. If you mean are we open to the giftedness of the Holy Spirit, the answer is yes.
Q. What does "evangelical" mean?
The word "evangelical" refers to a theological position which affirms the full inspiration and authority of the Scriptures, and emphasizes the necessity of new birth for salvation. Evangelicals are therefore also "evangelistic," meaning they strive to proclaim the good news of Christ's birth, death and resurrection to all who will listen, inviting them to place their faith in Him as Savior and Lord.
