TRANSFERRING INTO THE EPC

The processes below are for ordained ministers interested in transferring their ordination into the EPC. If you are not an ordained minister, see EPC Ordination Qualifications.

For a listing of current ministry opportunities in EPC churches, click here.

FROM WITHIN THE REFORMED TRADITION

The requirements to transfer ordination for a minister who was ordained within the Reformed tradition are:

• A valid call from an EPC congregation or approved ministry.
• Verification of ordination credentials.
• Successful completion of oral examination by the presbytery on views in the following areas:

• Christian experience of saving grace and progress in spiritual growth.
• English Bible.
• Theology, Sacraments, and Reformed Tradition.
• Polity.
• Biblical Hebrew and Greek Exegesis.

FROM OUTSIDE THE REFORMED TRADITION

The requirements to transfer ordination for a minister who was ordained outside of the Reformed tradition is as follows:

• A valid call from an EPC congregation or approved ministry.
• Verification of ordination credentials.
• Successful completion of written examinations in the following areas:

• English Bible.
• Theology, Sacraments, and Reformed Tradition.
• Polity.
• Biblical Hebrew and Greek Exegesis.

• Successful completion of oral examination by the presbytery on views in the following areas:

• Christian experience of saving grace and progress in spiritual growth.
• English Bible.
• Theology, Sacraments, and Reformed Tradition.
• Polity.

In general terms, EPC ministers are expected to hold a high view of Scripture and be able to “receive and adopt the system of doctrine contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in Holy Scripture.” Those seeking ordination in the EPC must put in writing any exceptions they may have to the Westminster standards. The presbytery will vote to allow those exceptions if they are not considered affecting the Confession’s system of doctrine, or disallow if the exceptions are considered to affect the Confession’s system of doctrine.