For many families, summertime means hot weather and a chance to head to Florida for vacation. For one denominational family of Presbyterian churches, this week offers all of the above.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) convenes its annual General Assembly meeting today at First Presbyterian Church Orlando, Fla. Thousands of Presbyterians of evangelical faith will gather for worship, equipping, commissioning of missionaries, fellowship and the business of the denomination.
Worship is central business of the EPC when it gathers in assembly. And the proclamation of the Word of God is central to worship. Those preaching over the four-day event include: David Swanson, pastor of the host church, Claude Richard Alexander Jr., pastor of the Park Church in Charlotte, N.C., Gordon Miller, the incoming Moderator of the General Assembly, Phil Linton, the director of World Outreach, Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and Case Thorp, Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church Orlando, Fla.
Equipping Christian leaders for faithful service in the world is another primary foci of the annual assembly. Recognizing that leaders can learn much from effective leaders outside their own denominational tribe, the EPC brings in marquee Christian leaders to sharpen the iron. Last year featured Tim Keller from the Presbyterian Church in America’s Redeemer Church in New York City. This year features Thom Ranier, accomplished writer, researcher, speaker, and president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
Out of the clear proclamation of the Scriptures and equipping for leadership has grown an evangelical heart for those in the world who have yet to hear or embrace the Gospel. The sending of missionaries into the places where the church is not, particularly places hostile to the Christian faith, has become the burning passion of the EPC’s World Outreach efforts. The highlight of the assembly for many is the opportunity to witness and participate in the commissioning of missionaries.
And yes, there will be business meetings, but the business will be largely non-controversial and in the spirit of the EPC it will be done decently and in order.
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