Concerned by the direction and Biblical fidelity of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 50 teaching and ruling elders gathered in Kansas City October 6-8 to launch a new denomination, the Westminster Churches of America (WCA).
Preaching to the assembly, Bill Heming, pastor of Parkway Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Wash., said he grieved over the theological errors of the EPC and called for Biblical and spiritual reform.
“We must leave all other duties and loves to follow Jesus on the ancient paths,” said Heming.
Hosted by Gashland Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Mo., the synod gathering included times of worship, singing, prayer, meals, and fellowship, as well as laying the groundwork for a new denomination. The movement to start a new denomination was a response to the action taken by the EPC 46th General Assembly that opened the door to the ordination of celibate homosexuals.
Twenty-two churches are committed to joining the WCA and 25 others have expressed serious interest, said Nate Atwood, senior pastor of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C.
“For us, the EPC is in the rearview mirror and we are excited to work together with like-minded believers,” said Atwood.
In official business, the synod adopted The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms (1788) with the addition of three amendments common to conservative American Presbyterians. The synod also gave provisional approval to the Book of Church Order consisting of a book of government and a book of discipline. A committee was established to work on a book of worship to be adopted at the next synod.
Enduring commitments of the WCA include the supremacy of Scripture, the historic Reformed faith, confident gospel proclamation, engaged Presbyterian polity, committed complementarianism, and Biblical sexuality and ordination standards. The language of these commitments was perfected by an ad-hoc committee dedicated specifically to presenting a revision of the section on complementarianism.
The synod agreed on three “Areas of Charity,” allowing freedom for local church sessions to determine their own position regarding continuation or cessation of gifts of the Spirit, ordination of women as deacons, and whether or not to embrace the regulative or normative principles of worship. The synod also agreed on a sunset clause allowing women elders to finish their term of office before resigning their ordination.
The synod elected Atwood to serve a one-year term as WCA moderator. Heming was elected to a two-year term as Stated Clerk. Michael McMillan, senior pastor of Montesano Presbyterian Church in Montesano, Wash., was elected to a two-year term as treasurer.
Preaching on the call of Abram from Genesis 12:1, Atwood encouraged commissioners to trust in God as they ventured into the unknown. While recognizing the challenges ahead, Atwood expressed his hope and vision for a new denomination comprised of Biblically faithful churches that understand God’s plan of creation, especially in terms of ordination standards and leadership. Such churches will “breathe new life” into the home and culture, he said.
The synod agreed to establish two initial presbyteries: the Presbytery of the East and the Presbytery of the West, each consisting of approximately 9 to 14 churches that are either in the process of being dismissed from their current denominations or are considering dismissal into the WCA. Each Presbytery met separately to receive churches and teaching elders and to elect their respective moderators, stated clerks, and ministerial committee members.
In addition, each presbytery appointed elders to serve on a synod committee that will draft a Book of Order. After business, the synod adjourned for a dinner of barbeque, pickle ball, cornhole, and conversation at a local restaurant.
On the final day of the synod, Michael Morefield, pastor at Gashland EPC, preached from Psalm 23:4 and the assurance that God will lead his people through the valley of the shadow of death.
“The LORD uses the darkness of the valley to reveal the brightness of heaven and to shape us for it,” said Morefield.
In the final business session, matters related to the Book of Order were debated and resolved, leading to its adoption alongside the adoption of the Book of Discipline. Additionally, the Synod Council of Clerks was given the authority to select members for a Permanent Judicial Commission, and to determine the date and time of the WCA’s next annual meeting which will take place at St. Giles Church.
The synod ended in a time of prayer, with Atwood reading a quote from Shakespeare’s play, “Henry V” — “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
Posted October 23, 2026
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