NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

The National Leadership Team (NLT) report to the 43rd General Assembly of its work during 2022-2023, plus recommendations for consideration by the Assembly.

Use these quicklinks to navigate to a specific section of this report:

Summary of Work
Summary of Recommendations
Work of the Committee
Recommendations (Detailed)
Committee Members
Meeting Dates

Brad Strait

Chairman
TE, Presbytery of the West

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. Supported, evaluated, and contributed to the ongoing changes within the Office of the General Assembly, and guided and supported the OGA Leadership.

2. Continued the oversight of the strategic priorities of church planting, church revitalization, effective biblical leadership, and global movement of churches—specifically the importance of their alignment in the service of the Great Commission, evangelism.

3. Worked diligently on bettering our connectional system, seeking to improve the support and encouragement to pastors, pastor’s families, and churches are facing intensive pastoral pressures.

4. Conducted the business of the church by examining structures, processes, human resources, and finances of the EPC, including stewarding all the resources of the EPC including evaluating and developing “Percentage of Income” funding.

5. Worked closely with the team producing the Pastoral Letter on Racial Lament and Hope, working to address the weighty issues of racial strife in the church and world.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

43-03 That the 43rd General Assembly approve the establishment of a Moderator-appointed, Ad Interim Committee to revise the existing Pastoral Letter on Domestic Abuse.

43-04 That the 43rd General Assembly approve the formation of a Permanent Committee on Disaster Relief.

43-07 That the 43rd General Assembly approve the FY24 Administration budget.

43-08 That the 43rd General Assembly approve the FY24 Special Projects.

43-09 That the 43rd General Assembly approve the Minutes of the 42nd General Assembly.

43-13 That the 43rd General Assembly approve revisions to Book of Government 17-5, 6-8D, and 18-3H.

43-14 That the 43rd General Assembly approve an amendment to Book of Discipline 1-1.

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

As you probably know, the NLT, though not a “court” of the Church, functions much like the Session of our denomination, seeking to fulfill the wishes and requirements of the General Assembly. In between yearly GA meetings, we seek to accomplish what has been asked of us, to maintain a sense of EPC unity, and to lead in such a way as help our denomination fulfill God’s design for us.

These changes require us to listen well, to be steadfast in our faith, and to be adaptive in our leadership. This year, we continue transitioning in a changing church world. At the top level of national EPC leadership, we met four times virtually and in person, plus in many committee meetings. We have been applying energy prayerfully for positive changes, for example working:

• To respond to the toll the last few years have taken on pastors and their families. We continue to look for ways to strengthen and refresh our pastors, using events like Pastor/Spouse Retreats and EPC Israel Trips to re-energize leaders. We worked on adding Church Health Coordinators for each Presbytery.
• To help address the racial struggles in our churches and world. As asked by the 42nd General Assembly, I appointed and the National Leadership Team began to interact with a multi-ethnic group of EPC Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders to work on a Pastoral Letter of Racial Lament and Hope. This will be a two-year process seeking to write an internal letter to guide EPC pastors and congregations Scripturally and confessionally through the tensions of racial strife in our world. We all know it is a massive, complex, and divisive issue. The group is prayerfully making progress.
• To review and adjust our organization and resources to align with a renewed focus on evangelism; including emphasizing the training of the EPC’s Three Circles, evangelism training, and renewed focus on resources around Church Health.
• To continue the momentum as a church planting movement. With Tom Ricks moving from a stipend-based resource to our full-time National Director of Church Planting, and emerging Regional Directors, we are well positioned to continue to carry out the Great Commission on the home front.
• To adapt in leadership as a part of the Lord’s Global Movement. A very successful Family Gathering for our Global Workers and their families as well as renewed energy with the addition of new staff leadership.
• To gather and equip Next Generation, Revelation 7:9, and Presbytery Leaders as Effective Biblical Leaders. We are working hard to meet and address the new and emerging realities while maintaining our high Presbyterian, Reformed, Evangelical, and Missional standards.

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

RECOMMENDATION 43-03

The NLT recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the establishment of a Moderator-appointed, Ad Interim Committee to revise the existing Pastoral Letter on Domestic Abuse.

RECOMMENDATION 43-04

The NLT recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the formation of a Permanent Committee on Disaster Relief, as follows:

Rules for Assembly X: Permanent Committees and the Permanent Judicial Commission

X.10-1.J Committee on Disaster Relief

1. Membership: Membership is comprised of 9 members on a three-year, three-class system to include 3 Teaching Elders, 3 Ruling Elders, and 3 who need not be elders. Non-elders should be qualified in areas of emergency management, disaster relief, mobilization, or other areas essential to the duties below. The Committee will be divided into three classes each with three-year terms. The Committee may utilize input from EPC sources outside the continental United States when considering disaster relief plans for The Bahamas or Puerto Rico.
2. Duties: The Disaster Relief Committee is to (a) develop and manage a plan to rapidly implement emergency responses to disasters in cooperation with local EPC congregations and appropriate governmental agencies and other relief agencies; and (b) produce and distribute a guide to requesting disaster help to all Sessions, Presbyteries, and other EPC agencies, including emergency aid contacts to be used in the event of a disaster situation.

RECOMMENDATION 43-07

The NLT recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the FY24 Administration budget.

RECOMMENDATION 43-08

The NLT recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the FY24 Special Projects.

RECOMMENDATION 43-09

The NLT recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the Minutes of the 42nd General Assembly.

RECOMMENDATION 43-13

The NLT recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the following revisions to the Book of Government: G.17-5 be deleted and the following sections renumbered; G.6-8D be amended by removing the parenthetical comment statement: “(or if Deacons have not been given the responsibility of property)”; and G.18-3H is amended by adding: “to determine and oversee the finances of the local church including the budget and the benevolence objectives of the congregation.”

 

Proposed new wording in blue italics
Current Wording Proposed Wording

17-5 Treasurer

  1. Where the responsibility for the finances of the local church falls to the Board, it shall appoint a Treasurer to handle the financial matters of the congregation. This person may or may not be a
  2. Where the Session retains responsibility for financial matters, it shall follow this stipulation: the Treasurer shall report to the appointing body at each stated meeting, keeping a careful record of financial matters. The appointing body shall be responsible for an annual audit of the finances of the church.

17-5 Treasurer

  1. Where the responsibility for the finances of the local church falls to the Board, it shall appoint a Treasurer to handle the financial matters of the congregation. This person may or may not be a
  2. Where the Session retains responsibility for financial matters, it shall follow this stipulation: the Treasurer shall report to the appointing body at each stated meeting, keeping a careful record of financial matters. The appointing body shall be responsible for an annual audit of the finances of the church.

6-8 The local church has the right to elect Trustees from within its membership who have demonstrated a consistent Christian life.

  1. Trustees shall have the power, upon authorization from the local church, to buy, sell, and mortgage real property, accept and execute deeds, to hold and defend titles to the same, and to assume other such related duties as may be assigned to them.
  2. The responsibilities of the Trustees shall not infringe upon the duties or powers of the Church Session or the Board of Deacons, and their authority is always subject to the instruction of the local church.
  3. All personal property is under the authority of the Session. If the local church does not elect a Board of Trustees, the responsibilities above are retained by the Session.
  4. If a local church does not elect Trustees (or if Deacons have not been given the responsibility of property), the Session, or a designated portion of the court, shall serve as the Trustees of the local church.

6-8 The local church has the right to elect Trustees from within its membership who have demonstrated a consistent Christian life.

  1. Trustees shall have the power, upon authorization from the local church, to buy, sell, and mortgage real property, accept and execute deeds, to hold and defend titles to the same, and to assume other such related duties as may be assigned to them.
  2. The responsibilities of the Trustees shall not infringe upon the duties or powers of the Church Session or the Board of Deacons, and their authority is always subject to the instruction of the local church.
  3. All personal property is under the authority of the Session. If the local church does not elect a Board of Trustees, the responsibilities above are retained by the Session.
  4. If a local church does not elect Trustees (or if Deacons have not been given the responsibility of property), the Session, or a designated portion of the court, shall serve as the Trustees of the local church.

18-3 Authority and Responsibilities of the Session

In maintaining the spiritual supervision of the local church, the Session has the following authority and responsibilities:

  1. To oversee the worship of the congregation in accordance with the Book of Worship, including the time and place of worship, special services, the music program, and the celebration of the sacraments. This shall not infringe on the responsibility of the Pastor
    in the selection of hymns, Scriptures, sermon, administration of the sacraments, or other duties that are incumbent on the office of
  2. To organize itself within the bounds of this Constitution and lawful acts of the higher Church courts for the advancement of the gospel and the mission of that congregation.
  3. To initiate the ministry of evangelism as the first business of the Church, and to seek to lead persons to an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
  4. To oversee the discipleship ministries of the church, leading members to maturity in Christ.
  5. To monitor the spiritual conduct of the members, and to take action when appropriate according to procedures set forth in the Book of Discipline.
  6. To remind parents of the responsibility of presenting their children for baptism, and to provide instruction as indicated in the Book of Worship, Section 3-2.G. To this end, Sessions should establish and conduct under their authority Sunday schools and Bible classes and adopt such other methods as may be found helpful. The Session shall encourage the parents of the Church to guide their children in the catechizing and disciplining of them in the Christian religion.
  7. To receive, dismiss, restore, grant affiliation, remove members and keep rolls in accordance with G.8-1, 8-2, and 8-3. The Session may establish a minimum age for the active roll and to vote in congregational meetings.
  8. To determine the budget of the church and the benevolence objectives of the congregation.

18-3 Authority and Responsibilities of the Session

In maintaining the spiritual supervision of the local church, the Session has the following authority and responsibilities:

  1. To oversee the worship of the congregation in accordance with the Book of Worship, including the time and place of worship, special services, the music program, and the celebration of the sacraments. This shall not infringe on the responsibility of the Pastor
    in the selection of hymns, Scriptures, sermon, administration of the sacraments, or other duties that are incumbent on the office of
  2. To organize itself within the bounds of this Constitution and lawful acts of the higher Church courts for the advancement of the gospel and the mission of that congregation.
  3. To initiate the ministry of evangelism as the first business of the Church, and to seek to lead persons to an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
  4. To oversee the discipleship ministries of the church, leading members to maturity in Christ.
  5. To monitor the spiritual conduct of the members, and to take action when appropriate according to procedures set forth in the Book of Discipline.
  6. To remind parents of the responsibility of presenting their children for baptism, and to provide instruction as indicated in the Book of Worship, Section 3-2.G. To this end, Sessions should establish and conduct under their authority Sunday schools and Bible classes and adopt such other methods as may be found helpful. The Session shall encourage the parents of the Church to guide their children in the catechizing and disciplining of them in the Christian religion.
  7. To receive, dismiss, restore, grant affiliation, remove members and keep rolls in accordance with G.8-1, 8-2, and 8-3. The Session may establish a minimum age for the active roll and to vote in congregational meetings.
  8. To determine the budget of the church and the benevolence objectives of the congregation determine and oversee the finances of the local church, including the budget and the benevolence objectives of the congregation.

RECOMMENDATION 43-14

The NLT recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve an amendment to the Book of Discipline by adding the following statement to the end of BOD 1-1: “Church discipline does not supersede or negate the legal responsibility to report cases of suspected abuse to civil authorities according to local and state requirements.”

 

Proposed new wording in blue italics
Current Wording Proposed Wording

1-1 Definition of Church Discipline

There are two kinds of authority vested in the church; the responsibility of order and the authority of jurisdiction. Both kinds of authority are given the church by the Lord Jesus Christ to instruct and guide her members and to promote her purity and welfare. Discipline is the exercise of the responsibility of order, particularly in regard to the reproving of the erring. As the exercise of such authority may adversely affect the membership rights of an individual who has been accused of an offense, the authority requires the use of ecclesiastical judicial procedures.

The word “discipline,” when used in the Book of Discipline, chapters 1-11, shall therefore refer to the use of ecclesiastical judicial procedures.

1-1 Definition of Church Discipline

There are two kinds of authority vested in the church; the responsibility of order and the authority of jurisdiction. Both kinds of authority are given the church by the Lord Jesus Christ to instruct and guide her members and to promote her purity and welfare. Discipline is the exercise of the responsibility of order, particularly in regard to the reproving of the erring. As the exercise of such authority may adversely affect the membership rights of an individual who has been accused of an offense, the authority requires the use of ecclesiastical judicial procedures.

The word “discipline,” when used in the Book of Discipline, chapters 1-11, shall therefore refer to the use of ecclesiastical judicial procedures. Church discipline does not supersede or negate the legal responsibility to report cases of suspected abuse to civil authorities according to local and state requirements.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Brad Strait (Chairman)
TE, Presbytery of the West

Brian Evans
RE, Presbytery of the Midwest

George Hertensteiner
RE, Presbytery of the Great Plains

Victor Jones
RE, Presbytery of the Gulf South

Linda McDaniels
RE, Presbytery of the West

Neil Smith
TE, Presbytery of the East

Rosemary Lukens (Moderator)
RE, Presbytery of the Pacific Northwest

Earla Bethel
RE, Presbytery of Florida and the Caribbean

Michael Flake
TE, Presbytery of the Central Carolinas

John Ivy
RE, Presbytery of the Central South

Patrick King
TE, Presbytery of the Pacific Southwest

Carolyn Poteet
TE, Presbytery of the Alleghenies

Dave Strunk
TE, Presbytery of the Southeast

Joe Kim (Moderator-elect)
TE, Presbytery of the East

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MEETING DATES

August 16-18, 2022: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
October 25, 2022: Video Conference
January 17-18, 2023: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
April 18-19, 2023: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Brad Strait, Chairman
June 2023

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