COMMITTEES

As stated in the EPC’s Rules for Assembly, the ministries of the Assembly are conducted primarily through Permanent Committees and the Permanent Judicial Commission. In addition, Special Committees may be formed to address specific areas of concern or emphasis. Committee membership generally is limited to Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders, with the exception of:

• Next Generation Ministries Council, which may have up to six non-ordained members who have particular expertise or experience in Christian Education, student ministry, or college ministry and who are active members of EPC churches.
• Women’s Resource Council, which is open to any woman who is an active member of an EPC church.
• World Outreach, which may have up to two non-ordained members with particular expertise or experience in world missions, and who are active members of EPC churches.

Terms are normally for three years, and a person may serve two consecutive terms on the same committee followed by at least one year off. In accepting a nomination to committee membership, the nominee should clearly understand and be willing to accept the responsibility of active participation in the regular meetings of his or her committee. Committees normally meet at the Office of the General Assembly in Orlando.

The National Leadership Team provides coordination of program committee work and oversees the continuing work of the General Assembly between stated meetings. It provides strategic guidance to the Office of the General Assembly, and works with the Stated Clerk in personnel administration of the General Assembly staff and develops the annual administration and benevolence budgets. The Committee serves as directors of the corporation and executes legal and corporate business. The NLT generally meets four times per year and several additional times by phone.

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The Benefit Resources, Inc., (BRI) Board of Directors oversees administration of the EPC denominational Retirement Plan and Group Medical Plan. The Board also serves as trustees of the Retirement Plan and are responsible for investment of insurance fund reserves.

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The Chaplains Work and Care Committee oversees and conducts the chaplain endorsement process, develops and implements policies and procedures for EPC chaplain ministry, and provides for pastoral care for endorsed chaplains and their families. The committee also recommends policies related to chaplaincy to the General Assembly. The committee meets once a year and by phone conference as needed.

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The Committee on Fraternal Relations assists the General Assembly in developing and maintaining relationships with other Christian organizations including denominations in the Reformed tradition, ecumenical agencies, and other groups working to advance the Kingdom of God through evangelism, nurture, and service.

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GENEROSITY RESOURCES

The Generosity Resources Committee (formerly the Foundation Board) facilitates charitable estate gifts and planned gifts, which provide additional resources to assist local churches, presbyteries, and other EPC ministries to fulfill the purpose, goals, and opportunities of the future. The Committee also promotes biblical stewardship by encouraging individuals and families to give of their time, talents, and treasures.

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The Ministerial Vocation Committee resources the Ministerial and Candidates committees of the Presbyteries, and oversees the ordination testing process. The MVC is concerned with the initial and ongoing education and training of ministers and in the pastoral care of ministers and their families.

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NEXT GENERATION MINISTRIES

As approved by the 36th General Assembly (2016), the Next Generation Ministries Council comprises the former Christian Education and Communications (CE&C) and Student and College Ministries (SCM) committees and is working “to develop appropriate vision, mission, strategy, and structures aligned with the strategic initiatives of the General Assembly.” The Next Generation Ministries Council is expected to formally launch on July 1, 2018.

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The Nominating Committee annually nominates the Moderator, Moderator-elect, and permanent committee members for election by the General Assembly. The committee receives endorsements of qualified individuals from presbyteries and church Sessions.

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The Permanent Judicial Commission studies questions of interpretation in the Book of Order referred by the Stated Clerk. The Commission also reviews overtures, recommendations, and resolutions for changing the Constitution prior to their presentation to the Assembly. In cases referred to the Assembly, the Commission shall make preliminary judgment to the Assembly until the Assembly has sustained or rejected its recommendations.

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The Presbytery Review Committee provides structure, order, and continuity in reviewing the minutes of the presbyteries. It meets once a year in May, prior to the General Assembly. One member is elected annually, and the committee includes at least one former Stated Clerk.

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The Theology Committee receives and studies such theological matters as may be referred to it by the General Assembly, and returns its study with recommendations and requested papers or documents to the Assembly.

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The Women’s Resource Council serves local churches by developing women as servant leaders for the equipping of God’s church, the increase of His kingdom, and mobilizing women to fully participate in their churches, communities, and the world by resourcing leaders, providing opportunities for leadership training, and encouraging leaders in their place of ministry.

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The World Outreach Committee is responsible to implement the World Outreach Master Plan and to interpret and refine the World Outreach Missions Manual where necessary. It has oversight and care of EPC missionaries, their terms of call, and projects. The Committee evaluates agencies for potential cooperative agreements and works in conjunction with the Director of World Outreach. Two members of the Committee may be non-ordained with expertise in world missions.

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CHURCH PLANTING TEAM

The mission of the EPC Church Planting Team is to cultivate a culture where church planting is embraced, encouraged, and celebrated by all EPC churches, with the goal of each congregation becoming a Parent (by planting one or more new churches), a Partner (joining together with other EPC churches in their area to plant churches), or a Patron (by providing financial support to those starting new churches) of church planting.

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Church revitalization in the EPC is led by the GO Center, under the leadership of Dr. Ken Priddy. The GO Center was founded in the EPC Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic and later merged with the EPC Revitalization Task Force when the ministry of the GO Center was nationalized in 2015. The GO Center is now accessible to all EPC presbyteries and churches.

The GO Center’s focus is the development of missional churches that are led by missional pastors and leaders. This development is driven by training, consulting, and coaching that are provided by the GO Center team. For more information, see www.gocenterinfo.wordpress.com

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REVELATION 7:9 TASK FORCE

The Revelation 7:9 Task Force was approved by the 38th General Assembly. Its purpose is to motivate and equip our EPC churches to represent—and grow in—the message of that verse. Specifically, that when the Kingdom of God comes in fullness, there will be a multitude “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

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