What does it mean that we are a member of the EPC, the Evangelical Presbyterians Church?
We are Evangelical – to us evangelical means that we are foremost concerned with sharing the good news of God’s saving grace with others. We as a church want more people to experience the power of God’s salvation through a relationship with him. The angels in heaven rejoice when a sinner is brought to repentance, and we at LBPC rejoice as well.
We are Presbyterian – our church is led by elders. We have a session elected by the congregation who seek the mind of Christ and lead with grace and boldness. Being Presbyterian also means that we are reformed. We emphasize Biblical authority and we are reformed by the Scriptures. We emphasize that God is sovereign and in control of all things.
We are a Church – together with all those who name the name of Jesus we are the visible church of Jesus. We bear his name and his witness to the world. We work to bring him glory. All true believers are members of Christ’s body, and his bride, and his flock. That is how we view ourselves, and the hope in which we live.
As part of the EPC – a Global Movement of Evangelical Presbyterian Churches, we have sister churches across the United States, and Caribbean. We work together, worship together, and seek to advance God’s kingdom together. Some ways the larger General Assembly is seeking to serve local congregations are through their website filled with helpful resources, including a weekly podcast with our Stated Clerk Dean Weaver. The name of the podcast is “In All Things.” You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts or through the Resource Tab of EPC.org. (look under subheading: news). I have listened to several episodes, and hardily recommend them to you, as I think they will not only connect you with our denomination, but encourage your spiritual growth as well. Podcast episode 23 features Joe Kim, who is a Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of the East and who will be standing for Moderator-elect at this General Assembly June 2022.
Speaking of General Assembly, I encourage you to watch online some of the worship services and leadership development and business meetings of the General Assembly. Bob Brown, Jenny and I are looking forward to being in Detroit being Recharged and growing spiritually through our denomination. Would you please pray for the General Assembly June 21-24 for God’s Spirit to lead and direct our business and decision, that all might honor our God.