NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. Completed the GA Assigned task of digitizing all past GA minutes and making them available on the website.

2. Investigated Electronic Voting for the GA. 

3. Reviewed the Location and Operations of the OGA. 

4. Recommend the Budget, Special Projects and Minutes.

5. Celebrated our CFO Pat Coelho’s tenth year of service to the EPC. 

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RECOMMENDATIONS

46-57 The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the FY27 Administrative Budget.

46-58 The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the FY27 Special Projects

46-59 The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE that the purchase of a new Data Management System “Site Stacker for the General Assembly be made available to all the courts of the church (at no additional charge), which expresses the unity and relatedness of all its parts as described in EPC. G. 20-1.

46-60 The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the recommendations of the Book of Discipline Task Force to amend the Book of Discipline.

46-62 The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly approve all ecclesiastical judicial procedures in process on the date the revised Book of Discipline is ratified. It shall continue to be processed under the provisions of the current (2026) Book of Discipline.

46-65 The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the 45th General Assembly Minutes.

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

The 45th GA directed the OGA to digitize the minutes from every General Assembly and make them available as a high priority. I appreciate the work that has resulted in this important task. Corporate authority is manifested in the EPC when a motion is proposed, discussed, and put to a vote. When it is recorded in the minutes, the church has spoken. Every commissioner to the General Assembly now has this excellent resource available to hear what the EPC has said for the last 45 years. In reading those minutes, you will likely see a consistent approach to the challenges and opportunities in the EPC. I want to encourage my fellow commissioners to read these minutes.

One recurring challenge that you will discover is how we provide benefits to Pastors in the EPC. This is an area where we are truly “Better Together”. The consistent message from my predecessors has been that we need every church to participate in Benefits Resources, Inc. The intention has always been to take care of those who labor within the EPC. The same can be said for POI giving to GA and churches supporting their Presbyteries financially. We are stronger and “Better Together”. Percentage of Income continues to indicate that it is a more sustainable way to budget the finances. These items add to the ongoing conversation on what it means to be a part of the EPC.

One project that will help with our information at every Court is the Site Stacker proposal, as we seek to be more efficient. I appreciate the committees that do the work of the church. As you study the documents of the 46th GA, you will see the names of those who have done the work. Please join me in thanking them. Thanks to Greg Aydt, who led the work regarding 45-36 Electronic Voting. His committee has good recommendations for our voting methods.

The “Existential Threat” to the EPC remains the greatest threat to the church at large. Jesus spoke directly to us when he said: “… love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” I love serving in my local congregation, and I love participating in Gulf South Presbytery, where I am always moved hearing the powerful testimonies of candidates for ordination. It has been an honor to view the church from the General Assembly’s vantage point of the larger body. I thank the TEs and REs who have encouraged and mentored me over the years to love the work of the church.

I would be remiss if I did not say how much I appreciate the churches that host our annual meeting. They allow us to bring the family of churches together, where worship is always the highlight. It is our privilege to encourage the “Next Gen” of servant leaders that God will bring forth to serve His church while they praise His Name! It has been a blessing to me to serve with you.

Sincerely,

Victor Jones

Chairman NLT

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

RECOMMENDATION 46-57

The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the FY27 Administrative Budget.

RECOMMENDATION 46-58

The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the FY27 Special Projects.

RECOMMENDATION 46-59

The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE that the purchase of a new Data Management System, “Site Stacker for the General Assembly, be made available to all the courts of the church (at no additional charge), which expresses the unity and relatedness of all its parts as described in EPC. G. 20-1.

RECOMMENDATION 46-60

The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the recommendations of the Book of Discipline Task Force to amend the Book of Discipline.

RECOMMENDATION 46-62

The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly approve all ecclesiastical judicial procedures in process on the date the revised Book of Discipline is ratified. It shall continue to be processed under the provisions of the current (2026) Book of Discipline.

RECOMMENDATION 46-65

The National Leadership Team recommends that the 46th General Assembly APPROVE the 45th General Assembly Minutes.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

John Ivy
RE, Presbytery of the Central South

Joi Williams
RE, Presbytery of Coastal Mid-Atlantic

Carolyn Poteet
TE, Presbytery of the Alleghenies

Greg Aydt
TE, Presbytery of the Central South

Chris Danusiar
RE, Presbytery of Rivers and Lakes

Josh Hanson
TE, Presbytery of the Midwest

Rachel Toone-Pies
TE, Presbytery of Central Carolinas

Eric Shipton
TE, Presbytery of New River

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MEETING DATES

August 12-14, 2025: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
October 9, 2025: Video Conference
January 13-14, 2026: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
April 8, 2026: Video Conference

Respectfully submitted,

Victor Jones, Chairman
June 2026

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