Concerned by “theological progressive leaning” within the EPC, one of the largest churches in Midwest Presbytery voted in June to leave the denomination. First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, Mich., has since voted to affiliate with the Presbyterian Church in America.
In a statement submitted to the Stated Clerk of Midwest Presbytery, the 500-member church expressed its growing concern with the leadership and direction of the EPC that seems to be pursuing cultural relevance and social justice rather than the Gospel:
“For the last several years FPT has become a more confessionally-minded church,” the statement noted. “Concurrently, FPT has observed the EPC moving in the opposite direction. Moreover, FPT has sensed a change in the presbyterial structure of the EPC, specifically becoming a more top down, leadership driven organization. The latter has made it more difficult to address specific theological concerns. Our differences with the EPC make it more difficult to serve alongside other churches in the Midwest Presbytery, and our continued affiliation weakens our Biblical witness to the world around us.”
Established in 1903, First Presbyterian Trenton was one of the founding churches that formed the EPC 44 years ago. The Rev. Calvin Gray, a teaching elder at FPT, served as the first moderator of the EPC. Despite this long and historic connection, the congregation reached a point where they were no longer in “theological alignment” with the EPC. The departure was amicable and was not contested by Midwest Presbytery.
“In taking this step, we wish to emphasize that our decision is not an indictment against our Presbytery or the EPC,” the statement noted. “We are not seeking to change the EPC or accuse it of any breach of trust. We have valued the decades-long relationship with the EPC and will continue to pray for and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Among the concerns listed in the FPT statement were the growing acceptance of female ordination and the egalitarian view becoming “dominant” in the EPC; the increasing “burden” placed on complementarian candidates for ordination to defend their Biblical convictions; a training workshop at General Assembly that encouraged the use of preferred gender pronouns when ministering to those who identify as LGBTQ; and the “pursuit of cultural relevance by prioritizing social justice over the gospel.” In particular, the FPT statement took issue with an EPC webcast where members of the Rev. 7:9 Task Force advocated use of the “Be the Bridge” curriculum as a framework for understanding racism:
“Rev. 7:9 task force appears to be recommending and using material and resources that strongly parallel and use CRT,” the statement noted. “Two points at issue for us are 1) the pursuit of cultural relevance and 2) recommending and using resources which promote Critical Race Theory, which, at its core, is antithetical to the Gospel.”
Teaching Elder Pete Scribner, Clerk of Midwest Presbytery, expressed regret at the departure of the Trenton church. “I was personally saddened to see First Presbyterian of Trenton leave the EPC,” said Scribner. “While I may have disagreed with some of their conclusions, my main frustration was how far down the road to leaving they got before we even knew they had concerns. As I expressed to Aaron, their Session and the congregation as a whole, it felt a little like being married for nearly 40 years and thinking that all is well, only to have your spouse present you with divorce papers without even having previously expressed that they felt there were problems in the marriage.”
Aaron Carr, Senior Pastor of FPT, declined to comment on the church’s decision to leave the EPC. Click here for the complete text of the FPT statement.
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