The Presbyterian Plumb Line

A Word from the Editors

A Word from the Plumb Line Editors

The 46th General Assembly has revealed a deep divide in the EPC, causing some churches to consider their future in the denomination. Out of concern for the peace, unity, and purity of the church, some will choose to leave. Others will choose to stay and see how things play out as Presbyteries vote on a constitutional amendment that was approved by GA commissioners. 

While the Plumb Line does not advocate or encourage churches to leave, we respect the right of each church and individual to decide what their response will be. In the meantime, the Plumb Line will continue to provide news and Biblical commentary. Our hope is that the Plumb Line will serve as a resource and encouragement for churches and individuals whether they choose to stay or leave. We do not intend to advise any church or person to leave the EPC, recognizing that God alone is Lord of the conscience and that this is a personal choice and decision.

We will not hide the fact that we are disappointed by the vote at General Assembly that opens the door to the ordination of celibate homosexuals. Despite our differences, we will continue to pray for the EPC and work for reform and renewal as we seek to build up the church according to the unerring plumb line of God’s Word.  We are grateful for the 1,000 subscribers and 42,000 visitors from 102 nations who have followed our website. In addition, we are grateful for the generous financial support for the Plumb Line that we have received from many of you.  In the near future we will be publishing new articles and we encourage you to read and share them with others.

Grace and Peace to you in our Lord, Jesus Christ
The Editorial Board of the Plumb Line

Paul Bammel
Teaching Elder, Presbytery of the East. Ordained in the EPC since 2012.

Yvonne Chapman
Ruling Elder, Presbytery of the Central South. Ordained in the EPC since 2014.

Don Fortson
Teaching Elder, Presbytery of the Central Carolinas. Ordained in the EPC since 1991.

Peter Larson
Teaching Elder, Presbytery of the Midwest. Ordained in the EPC since 2008.

Gordon Miller
Ruling Elder, New River Presbytery. Ordained in the EPC since 2007.

David Weber
Teaching Elder, New River Presbytery. Ordained in the EPC since 2008.

16 responses

  1. Jeff Whitfield Avatar
    Jeff Whitfield

    I believe that those who would break away over this issue are like the Pharisees whom Jesus accused of “ straining out gnats and swallowing camels.“ When I read the documents and compare them to the changes, I see a lot of effort to strain out the gnats, but it will never be enough for human wording. The camel we’re swallowing of course is the disfellowship of individuals and churches. When we are called to a “ministry of reconciliation“ and won’t be reconciled to one another over these gnats, we are in severe danger of breaking up the denomination, and destroying the witness of our churches to a lost in watching world.

    Reply
  2. Nathan Waddell Avatar
    Nathan Waddell

    Presbyterian ministers do not take vows of celibacy. This decision creates two classes of clergy, and that is but one of the several aspects of this proceeding at the General Assembly that are in violation of the EPC constitution. This decision was not made in proper order, and we need to unite and reject it.

    Whenever the Presbyterian Church has substituted human pragmatism, royal dictates, or cultural compromise for the explicit command of God, divine chastisement, institutional apostasy, and spiritual ruin have inevitably followed.
    ​Scripture establishes that human invention in the service of God—termed will-worship (Colossians 2:23)—is an abomination. God expressly commands: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32). When human inventiveness overrides divine law, God answers not with blessing, but with judicial blindness and destruction (Leviticus 10:1–2; Jeremiah 7:31–34).

    Reply
  3. Grey Cobb. First Presbyterian-Meridian MS Avatar
    Grey Cobb. First Presbyterian-Meridian MS

    What they approved at the GA was to allow celibate homosexuals who have been saved but still have admitted ongoing same sex attraction to be considered for officer or pastoral ordination (518 to 386 votes). I wonder what the vote would have been if all active presbytery elders were allowed to cast a vote by proxy or online? Many elders could not make the long trip to Colorado. Hopefully 12 of the 16 presbyteries will not approve this change in the book of order. The EPC is dealing with a Trojan Horse.

    Reply
  4. JOHN STONE Avatar
    JOHN STONE

    WELL said in recent zoom call, ” We are in the PCUSA 2.0″ as this disaster was railroaded into what was once a great denomination,& as could be said of the old PCUS and UPUSA pre-sexual revolution of the 60’s. Sadly, we who actually try to stay with the Bible and not use Hillary Clinton’s ‘Better Together’ bumper sticker, which reveals everything about the progressives taking over the EPC, we will watch the downward spiral from a separated distance musing on the doctrine of ‘total depravity.’
    Keep this motto in mind, “When the Bible is not the starting point for doing theology, something else is.” quoth Dr David Wells, Prof Emeritus GCTS. Wells proclaimed in his 1st lecture to us 1st year seminarians in CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY CLASS,1982 GCTS & of the Evangelical theological demise WELLS’ many titles include, NO PLACE FOR TRUTH.
    Jesus just left the building at the 46th.

    Reply
  5. R.E. Jonathan Walters Avatar
    R.E. Jonathan Walters

    With all due respect…

    This starts off speaking about a deep divide in the church. Then in the next sentence speaks about how you are here for peace, unity, and purity of the Church.

    You said you wouldn’t provide a stance, then stated you are disappointed with the vote. AKA it did not go your way.

    You gave two stances for churches in the EPC…those that will leave, and those that want to stay to “see how things play out.”

    There is a third….those that KNOW that the infallible Word of God is in our bibles…not a handful of editors looking to write a divisive post.

    In a time where Satan is spurring on unrest outside of, and WITHIN our Church, can we not focus on some positives of what God is doing. Can we not focus on scripture. Can we not admit that we’ve all sinned, that God reigns supreme, and that He NEVER allows unrepentant sin to go unpunished…and that He will have the final say. Not the rooms filled with man’s agendas and fears.

    Fear & the Holy Spirit cannot and do not coincide.

    “Have no fear, for I am with you.”

    Wake up Church. A distraction is what Satan wants. Let’s stop feeding it.

    Reply
    1. John Seale Avatar
      John Seale

      I for one appreciate the plumb line. I wonder if R.E. Walters could please let us know from whom or where would the ordinary layperson in the church learn of what was happening in the EPC if not for the plumb line? I know now we often bristle at the idea of truth being allowed to be told or heard but what kind of church or world will we have when the truth is suppressed and hidden? The articles I have read on the plumb line are all well written and respectful and contain more truth than spoken from many pulpits now (at least in my church this issue was suppressed and our minister barely mentioned anything about what was happening). The plumb line was and is an invaluable resource for God’s people at a time needed.
      Yes, it’s good to focus on positives, but it becomes like the home owner who is painting the walls while the foundation is crumbling.

      Reply
      1. R.E. Jonathan Walters Avatar
        R.E. Jonathan Walters

        Hey John,

        Based on what happened at the 46th GA, there will be discussions at your next regional Presbytery meeting. The vote ended up putting more responsibility on Presbyteries and the local church. It will require more due diligence on the part of the local church’s Pastoral Search Committees and on each Presbytery to vet each candidate for office. You can learn more by attending your next Presbytery meeting.

        Start by talking with your ruling elders. Request a meeting with your session. Attend Presbytery meetings. Get involved.

        I too was dismayed by the vote. However, I have been dismayed deeply by the fact that this particular issue has had so much traction for multiple years in our EPC.

        We say Sola Scriptura. Yet we argue over a topic of sin that already has too much attention and is clearly defined in the Bible. The Bible also explains how things of this nature get handled by God. I truly feel if we all would refocus, seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit through prayer & scripture, and preach the gospel while living out the great commission…issues like this wouldn’t have time to fester.
        It truly feels like wasted time and energy.

        The Plumb Line does a good job of letting you know what’s going on. But these topics are so layered, so complex, and have so many caveats…it really takes discernment far beyond reading the article to get the full picture.

        Reply
        1. John Seale Avatar
          John Seale

          I agree that ordinary laypersons (and R. E. on sessions) need to be informed and involved. We love our pastors but time and again churches and whole denominations have gone astray theologically and morally due to leaving it all up to our “pastors”. Maybe we need to figure out what is happening in our theological seminaries as well?
          I disagree that these questions of ordination are so layered, so complex, and have many caveats. The word nuanced is a favorite word also. The insinuation is it may be above the average layperson’s understanding. I think when a million words are used and it feels like theological acrobatics then something like a slight of hand afoot.
          For this issue in our EPC voting to allow the ordination of currently struggling homosexuals, it seems rather straight forward. If the struggle and temptation towards this sin is currently present in a person, they should not be considered for ordination. God is able to completely transform us from sin and sinful desires. If we stop believing this, we are shutting off the light of truth and hope for the world.
          It seems like the favorite tactic used to sell this to the church is to insinuate that we are all sinners and “sin is sin”. This is clearly incorrect. Most sins involve the abuse of something that in and of itself is a good. Like heterosexual sex and food, if we abuse these, we become sinful and glutenous. Homosexuality has no such “good quality” in and of itself. The Bible refers to homosexuality as unnatural and an abomination. We can not change and sanitize this by changing the language to “SSA”.

          Reply
  6. Kim Gravely Avatar
    Kim Gravely

    Our church will probably be leaving the EPC, and with heavy hearts. Our desire is to connect with other congregations who also choose to leave. Thank you Plumb Line for the good work you do.

    Reply
  7. Riley Puckett Avatar
    Riley Puckett

    Rourk Presbyterian Church would like to send some support to the Plumb Line advise me where to send our support.

    Reply
  8. Helen Louise Herndon Avatar
    Helen Louise Herndon

    I have the highest respect for the Plumb Line and what it has endeavored to do. Thank you. I will continue to read, share with others, and support.

    Reply
  9. August Napotnik Avatar
    August Napotnik

    SEMPER REFORMANDA

    Reply
  10. The Rev Dr Mark Andrew Carver Avatar
    The Rev Dr Mark Andrew Carver

    That is not what was approved at GA! Tell , the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!!!

    Reply
    1. PAUL HARMON Avatar
      PAUL HARMON

      Then let us see where Greg Johnson is in two years.

      Reply
  11. Cher Curtis Avatar
    Cher Curtis

    Thank you for this timely and encouraging message. We who love the EPC pray for God to continue to protect and guide her in all godliness and wisdom.

    Reply
  12. l Avatar
    l

    Grateful for the pastoral leadership provided by the Plumb Line.

    Reply

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