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EPC makes allowances for ordination of women
Written by The Presbyterian Outlook   
Sunday, 05 September 2010 17:26
The 30th General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), meeting in Englewood, Colo., has voted to ease restrictions on the ordination of women as Teaching Elders (TE), i.e., ministers of Word and Sacrament.

The 399 GA commissioners, meeting here on June 23-26, approved a recommendation to amend the EPC Book of Government. The overture would allow a congregation wanting to call a woman TE or endorse a female Candidate for ministry (TEC), but is part of a presbytery that would not approve a woman TE or TEC, to petition to become part of a neighboring presbytery that does permit the ordination of women TEs. Three of the denomination’s eight presbyteries do not affirm ordination of women as TEs. Final approval of the measure now requires ratification by at least six of the eight presbyteries through regional votes this next year plus a final confirming vote at next summer’s GA.

The denomination does not believe the ordination of women to be an essential tenet of the faith, so it allows each presbytery to decide for itself whether women may be ordained as TEs. Each congregation has discretion on ordaining women as Ruling Elders and Deacons.

— Jack Haberer
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Response from Troy Braswell, September 08, 2010
Kings Mountain, NC
Well, what do you know... local option! I find it ironic that the EPC, safe-haven for former PCUSA congregations, is now doing for women exaclty what has been suggested as a potential solution for congregations and presbyteries in our own demonination wishing to ordain homosexuals. I can't help but wonder if the same voices that have so strongly condemned local option for the PCUSA will speak out against its application in the EPC. Somehow, I doubt it!
Response from Vern Farnum, September 08, 2010
Indianapolis, IN
Hmmm...I wish someone would answer this question. What is going on that women and gays feel called by God to enter ministry? Are they in error? Or, is God doing a new thing and many are blind to it? Ironically, at one very substantial point in history some asked "Can anything good come out of Galilee?" It is time for us to stop debating what God is or is not doing and get on with being God's people, full of grace, love, wonder, care and compassion. Enough is enough.

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