DOWNLOADABLE EPC RESOURCES

Welcome to the EPC’s downloadable resource center. On this page you can access a wide variety of EPC documents and forms, including the Book of Order, General Assembly Minutes, Position Papers, as well as a wide variety of EPC forms such as those used in approving candidates and calling ministers.

NOTE: Many of these forms are fillable PDF files and will open in a new browser tab. When the form opens in the browser, right-click the form (or use “Save As” from the menu) and save it to your computer before entering any information, then complete the form. If you complete the form in your browser, your information will not be saved.

Use these quick links to navigate to the appropriate section:

Constitution and Doctrine
Training Manuals and Study Guides
Position Papers
Pastoral Letters
Forms for Endorsing and Receiving Ministerial Candidates
Forms for Ministerial Committees and Search Committees
Forms for Transitional Pastoral Ministry
Service Forms
General Assembly Forms
General Assembly Minutes
Forms for Organizing and Constituting Churches
Missional Resources
Other Resources
Annual Church Reports

CONSTITUTION AND DOCTRINE

Book of Order

The current Book of Order contains Rules for Assembly, Acts of Assembly, and Forms for Discipline as amended through the 43rd General Assembly (2023). To navigate the volume online, use the bookmarks panel on the PDF.

A spiral-bound printed edition is available at www.epcresources.org.

Westminster Confession of Faith

This Modern English version has electronic chapter bookmarks. Download to your computer, and set your Acrobat Reader to view bookmarks (View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Bookmarks).

A spiral-bound printed edition is available at www.epcresources.org.

The Essentials

The Essentials expresses historic Christian beliefs common to all true believers and churches worldwide, and defines core beliefs of the Christian faith. However, it is not a substitute for the Westminster Confession of Faith.

A tract-sized printed edition is available at www.epcresources.org.

Larger Catechism

Traditional English version

Larger Catechism

Modern English version

Shorter Catechism

Traditional English version

TRAINING MANUALS AND STUDY GUIDES

Ruling Elder Exam Handbook

Prepared by the
Presbytery of the Alleghenies
for churches entering the EPC

Leadership Training Guide

Revised in 2021. In addition to this PDF version, a printed, spiral-bound version is available for purchase at www.epcresources.org.

Written Ordination Exam Study Guide

Theology, Sacraments,
and the Reformed Tradition

Church Planting 101 Handbook

First edition,
published January 2024

POSITION PAPERS

A Position Paper identifies the positions of the EPC to the world. Each is intended to set forth the "mind" of the General Assembly on some particular issue or subject. It is not intended to be a thorough theological statement, nor a complete exegetical biblical study. The purpose of such a Position Paper is to enable the EPC to make a statement to itself, the Christian community, and the world in general on a subject of recurring interest, or one on which there is current compelling interest. Position Papers are neither part of the EPC Constitution nor represent in-and-of-themselves "essentials" of the church.

A Position Paper is approved through several steps. It is first introduced in a preliminary form and approved by the General Assembly. Next, it is circulated among the presbyteries for comment for a minimum of one year. Finally, it requires approval by a second General Assembly.

The following Position Papers have been authorized by the EPC and are available in pdf format:

PASTORAL LETTERS

A Pastoral Letter is intended to shine the light of God's Word broadly on an area of general concern to the Church. It is not as definitive as a Position Paper, and requires the approval of only one General Assembly. The primary purpose of a Pastoral Letter is to guide churches within the EPC, rather than to identify our positions to the world. Nine Pastoral Letters have been authorized for use within the EPC:

AIDS/HIV.
Children and the Lord's Supper.
Civil Disobedience.
Criteria for Evaluating Membership in Secret Fraternal Organizations.
Domestic Abuse.
Human Sexuality.
Open Theism.
Organ Donation and Transplantation.
 The Use of Catechisms in the EPC.

To request one or more of these approved Letters, please complete the form below.

Name(Required)
I am requesting the Pastoral Letter(s) on:(Required)

SERVICE FORMS

The Sacrament of Baptism (Adults)

Book of Worship
Section 3-2F

The Sacrament of Baptism (Infants)

Book of Worship
Section 3-2G

The Sacrament of
The Lord's Supper

Book of Worship
Section 3-3

The Reception of
New Members

Book of Government
Section 9-2D

The Ordination and Installation of a Teaching Elder

Book of Government
Section 13.1–13.6

The Ordination and Installation of a Minister

Book of Government
Section 14-1A

The Ordination and Installation of Ruling Elders

Book of Government
Section 14-1E

The Ordination and Installation of Deacons

Book of Government
Section 14-1E

GENERAL ASSEMBLY FORMS

Nomination Endorsement Form

For Sessions and Presbyteries to submit names to the Nominating Committee for service on EPC permanent committees. Includes nominating process and committee descriptions.

Memorials Form

For Clerks of Session to inform the EPC Memorials and Appreciation Committee of any Ruling Elder or Teaching Elders in their church who passed away since the previous General Assembly.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES

42nd General Assembly

June 21-24, 2022
Ward Church
Northville, Michigan

42nd General Assembly

June 21-24, 2022
Ward Church
Northville, Michigan

41st General Assembly

June 22-25, 2021
Second Presbyterian Church
Memphis, Tennessee

40th General Assembly

September 19-20, 2020
Virtual
Hosted by the Office of the General Assembly

39th General Assembly

June 18–21, 2019
Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church
Englewood, Colorado

38th General Assembly

June 19–22, 2018
Hope Presbyterian Church
Cordova, Tennessee

37th General Assembly

June 20–23, 2017
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
Sacramento, California

36th General Assembly

June 21–25, 2016
Ward EPC
Northville, Michigan

35th General Assembly

June 23–27, 2015
First Presbyterian Church
Orlando, Florida

34th General Assembly

June 17–21, 2014
Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church
Knoxville, Tennessee

33rd General Assembly

June 19–22, 2013
Cherry Hills Community Church
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

32nd General Assembly

June 20–23, 2012
First Presbyterian Church
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

31st General Assembly

June 22–25, 2011
Hope Presbyterian Church
Cordova, Tennessee

30th General Assembly

June 23-26, 2010
Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church
Englewood, Colorado

29th General Assembly

June 24–27, 2009
Cornerstone EPC
Brighton, Michigan

28th General Assembly

June 18–21, 2008
Fourth Presbyterian Church
Bethesda, Maryland

27th General Assembly

June 20–23, 2007
Cherry Hills Community Church
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Additional General Assembly minutes will be posted as they become available.

FORMS FOR CONSTITUTING AND ORGANIZING CHURCHES

Inquiring Churches
Information Packet

This 27-page packet includes our process for inquiring churches, answers to common questions that we get asked, summary belief statements, and all necessary Petition to Be Received forms. The forms are in fillable PDF format, which need to be downloaded and saved to your computer before completing.

MISSIONAL RESOURCES

Missional Church Primer

Fall 2007 report explaining the roots of the missional church discussion and its implications

Toward a Stronger Future

Prepared by the EPC Long Range Planning Committee, June 2006

Session Discussion Questions

Assessment tool based on Missional Church Primer and Toward a Stronger Future

ANNUAL CHURCH REPORTS

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Orlando, FL 32822
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