INTERIM COMMITTEE ON ORDINATION STANDARDS

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. Began meeting and reviewing our current ordination standards and process. 

2. Solicited denomination-wide feedback from Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders on the strengths and weaknesses of the current process.

3. Developed survey to launch at General Assembly to collect more data.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

The Interim Committee on Ordination Standards has no recommendations for the 44th General Assembly.

Ordination Standards and Process Survey

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Dear Commissioners of the 44th General Assembly,

The 43rd General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church voted to create an moderator-appointed, Ad-Interim Committee on Ordination Standards. The purpose of the committee was to review the current processes and standards related to the ordination of Teaching Elders in the EPC. In an era of growing skepticism and significant change in traditional theological education, the goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of the current model in preparing and equipping men and women from different backgrounds and life experiences to meet the demands of pastoral ministry in the 21st century, North American and Caribbean context and recommend any potential changes to a future General Assembly.

Our committee convened for the first time on November 15, 2023 and agreed to spend the first year listening and soliciting as much feedback on our current ordination standards and process as possible from all Teaching and Ruling Elders. To that end, we sent a denomination-wide email in March with an invitation to contact us and we will be launching a survey during General Assembly and encourage every Teaching Elder to participate. We also will be hosting a Networking Lunch for those who would like to meet to ask any questions. We want you to know we strongly desire this to be a process where every voice is heard and all people feel valued. This lunch will be a key time to ask questions about the process and share your experience. We trust anything you share will be constructive as well as instructive for us in the process.

In preparation for the 44th General Assembly, our committee has met monthly – January 24, February 21, April 17, and May 15 – as a whole committee with additional meetings in sub-committees. The membership of our committee represents a strong cross-section of our denomination and we are enjoying getting to know each other in our work. Our roster is as follows:

TE Julie Hawkins, Co-Chair, Pacific Northwest (jhawkins@chapelhillpc.org)
TE Doug Resler, Co-Chair, West (doug@pepc.org)
RE Chris Danusiar, Rivers and Lakes, (cdanusiar@gmail.com)
TE Aron Gibson, Coastal Carolinas, (agibson@lakeforest.org)
TE Terrence Gray, Mid-West, (terence.gray@ward.church)
TE Zach Hopkins, Rivers and Lakes, (zach.hopkins@icloud.com)
TE Jerry Iamurri, East, (jerry@infaith.org)
TE Matt Koehn, Southeast, (matt@waterstoneatl.com)
TE Meagan Kroeker, Pacific Southwest, (mkroeker@fpcfresno.org)
TE Fred Lian, West, (fvlian@outlook.com)
TE Rachel Toone, Central Carolinas, (rachelmtoone@gmail.com)
TE Annie Rose, OGA Representative, Rivers and Lakes (annie.rose@epc.org)

During our committee report, you will have the opportunity to take an important survey that will help our committee with the work that we have been called to do. Please make sure you to take that survey. We value you and we need to hear from you through this survey.

We covet your prayers for our work. We will need the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit if we are to accomplish the monumental task set before us and we trust God to lead and guide us every step of the way. May the Lord bless and keep you!

In Christ,
TE Doug Resler, Co-Chair
TE Julie Hawkins, Co-Chair

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

The Interim Committee on Ordination Standards has no recommendations for the 44th General Assembly.

Ordination Standards and Process Survey

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Julie Hawkins (Co-Chairman)
TE, Presbytery of the Pacific Northwest

Jerry Iamurri
RE, Presbytery of the East

Matt Koehn
TE, Presbytery of the Southeast

Meagan Kroeker
TE, Presbytery of the Pacific Southwest

Rachel Toone
TE, Presbytery of the Central Carolinas

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MEETING DATES

November 15, 2023: Video Conference
January 24, 2024: Video Conference
February 21, 2024: Video Conference
April 17, 2024: Video Conference
May 15, 2024: Video Conference 

Julie Hawkins, Co-Chairman
June 2024

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