There is breaking news to report. In the EPC’s January and February presbytery meetings, four presbyteries have passed an overture that would resolve the current crisis in the EPC over same sex attraction (SSA) and ordination. Commissioners to the 2026 General Assembly will now have the opportunity to vote in favor of a proposed Book of Government amendment that would prohibit SSA persons from being ordained to office in the EPC — see “Presbyteries Consider Overture on Same Sex Attraction” in the News section of this issue.
In the Views section you will find four new articles. We want to draw special attention to the lead article co-written by authors outside the EPC. “Yes, God is Anti-Gay” was written by Rosaria Butterfield and Jared Moore. Dr. Butterfield’s testimony of God redeeming her homosexual past is well known. She tells her story in The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christian Faith (Crown and Covenant, 2012). Dr. Moore is the author of The Lust of the Flesh: Thinking Biblically About “Sexual Orientation” Attraction, and Temptation (Free Grace Press, 2024). This previously published co-authored article is so solid in its clarity on what Scripture says about homosexuality that we have reprinted the full article with permission. If you need a succinct, go-to explanation of what Christians need to know about same-sex attraction, we know of nothing better out there.
An article by TE Nate Atwood, Moderator of the 29th General Assembly, describes his personal experience with three same-sex attracted pastors and how they harmfully shaped local church ministry. Another article by TE Don Fortson discusses the Ad Interim Committee’s latest proposal for an amendment to the Book of Government. He argues the amendment still doesn’t specifically answer the SSA and ordination question. The final article by TE Peter Larson deals with the issue of pastoral stress and the inadequacy of frequently recommended solutions, pointing to the ultimate answers that Scripture provides.
Also in this issue, we have news items on a recent Permanent Judicial Committee ruling, a congregation leaving its association with the EPC due to the homosexual issue, and the “Moderator’s Meanderings” by Gordon Miller. We hope you find all the items in this issue informative and encouraging in your walk with Christ.
As the editors of the Plumb Line, our goal is to build up the church according to the plumb line of Scripture (Amos 7). We are extremely grateful for your support and encouragement and ask that you please pray for us. Previous issues are available on the Archive page, where they can also be downloaded in PDF format. As always, we welcome and value your comments.
If you would like to contribute to the Plumb Line financially or submit an article for consideration, we invite you to contact us at [email protected]
Leave a Comment