Alarmed by the issue of same-sex attraction, Christ Presbyterian Church in Novi, Mich., voted by an overwhelming majority in December to join the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Although it is an independent church, the Novi congregation had been in relationship with the EPC since it was chartered in 2006 and had adopted the Westminster Confession, Shorter Catechism, and EPC Book of Order.
That relationship came to an end after the church became concerned that the EPC might ordain homosexual elders who claim to be celibate. The decision to leave the EPC also was influenced by the retirement of TE Jimmy McGuire, who has pastored the Novi church since 2008.
“It’s a tragedy,” said McGuire. “What precipitated it was the lingering question before us of Greg Johnson and the ordination of same sex attracted elders. We could easily have gone into the EPC if that were not the issue but they didn’t want to risk it. With the indecision of the EPC, they were gun-shy about going into the EPC.”
McGuire, 79, served as Moderator of the EPC in 1999. He is scheduled to retire in May 2026 and will remain a part of the EPC. He said the PCA has twice attempted to plant a church in the Novi community without success but has committed to recruiting a pastor/evangelist who will grow and revitalize the congregation by attracting new and younger members. The congregation has declined in recent years from 100 to about 40 active members, due mainly to the COVID pandemic, McGuire said.
Although he will remain part of the EPC, McGuire is concerned by what will happen if the General Assembly votes to approve the ordination of homosexual pastors who claim to be celibate.
“I’m totally against it,” said McGuire. “It is a cultural mandate that has found its way into the church. It is disheartening.”
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