70th PMA Meeting Overview - January 27-28, 2012

Commissioners, observers & guests gathered for the 70th Stated Meeting of Presbytery at Trinity EPC, Florence, SC on Friday & Saturday, January 27-28.  All were extended a warm welcome by host Pastor Matt Walton and Trinity members.  Dr. Jeff Jeremiah, GA Stated Clerk, brought greetings and updates on recent developments within the EPC.  "The EPC is in the midst of two major changes in 2012:  First, we have intentionally moved from being a 20th century attractional,  maintenance model denomination to a 21st century missional one, re-embracing The Great Commission.  The second change is organizational change and growth.  In 2007 we had 187 churhces; currently there are 324.  We added three presbyteries last year, and we continue to receive inquiries from churches seeking to join EPC.  Plan to attend our annual GA meeting in June--Christopher Wright will be the keynote speaker as we gather at First Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge, LA.  

Dr. Mike Moses (Pastor, Lake Forest Church) addressed those present about the importance and significance of the local church making an intentional decision to adopt a Scriptural model of outreach and missional identity.  "Why plant churches?" he asked; "To reach people and revive the planting church.  Church planting is not just for frontier regions--new churches reach the unchurched best.  The average new church gains most of its new members from those who are not attending church at all."  [A detailed report of his remarks is available from the website manager.]  We also heard from Lance Ford, co-author of RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW: Everday Mission For Everyday People, who challenged us accept Christ's missional mandate and to live it wherever God has planted you  [A detailed report of his remarks is available from the website manager.] 

Commissioners and guests gathered for worship on Friday evening and were blessed by the ministry of the Word by Pastor Don Neighbours (Northampton EPC), followed by the celebration of the Lord's Supper.  After a good night's rest, business resumed on Saturday morning.  AD/SC Dr. Howard Shockley called attention to at least four challenges for Presbytrery:  (a) the influx of PC(USA) churches this year; (b) a workable process for receiving, examining ministers & officers of churches coming in; (c) "infecting" new churches with our missional vision & commitment; and (d) eenlarging our staff support & base of operations to meet continued growth.

Presbytery received under care as Candidates Dr. Joel Harlow (from The Village Church), Adjunct Professor of Biblical Languages, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC; and Matt Morrision (Rourk EPC), a student at RTS/Charlotte.  Teaching Elders seeking to transfer from the PC(USA) were examined and approved:  Rev. John Bower, a hospice chaplain from Aiken, SC; and Rev. Kevin Cauley, Pastor of Darlington Presbyterian Church (transitional), Darlington, SC.  Several pastoral changes were presented and approved.  Reports were heard from the Perrow Admin. Commission; Warehouse 242 Admin. Commission; and the Kempsville Admin. Commission. 

We joyfully received as transitional members the McBee Presbyterian Church, McBee, SC and the Norton Presbyterian Church, Norton, VA.  The Darlington Church had been received previously by the CDC acting as a commission.  CDC Chairman Rev. Bucky Hunsicker said there are several other PC(USA) churches in application for transitional membership.