Difference Between EPC and PCA?

AMR

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AMR

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Wow...That list is amazing. Did you put that together?? I wish I had come across that a long time ago!
No I am not the author. It is indeed a good starting point.
 
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EvangelCatholic

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Can someone please explain to me the difference between the EPC and the PCA? From what I can tell, they seem very similar (except for how each denomination started).

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

-Justin

For those unfamiliar with these acronyms, can you identify the denomination?
 
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AMR

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I think I read somewhere a group of pca'ers are working on ordaining women in the future
Not likely unless the group plans on leaving the PCA.
 
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Calvinist Dark Lord

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For those unfamiliar with these acronyms, can you identify the denomination?
EPC = Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and PCA = Presbyterian Church in America.


 
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Calvinist Dark Lord

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Can someone please explain to me the difference between the EPC and the PCA? From what I can tell, they seem very similar (except for how each denomination started).

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

-Justin
The EPC has quite a bit more congregational autonomy than does the PCA and as such, one cannot claim that any one congregation 'represents' the EPC.

Some congregations have female Ruling and/or Teaching Elders, some forbid female elders. Some congregations are charismatic friendly, some are hard cessationalists. Some congregations have contemporary worship, some follow the regulative principle (as understood by the OPC or the PCA) and some have both kinds of services.

It has been my experience, having been a member of the EPC for 23 years that most congregations have female deacons (your mileage may vary). However since the deacons are neither a court of the church nor have any governing responsibilities, this is largely a non-issue.

At one point nearly all female Teaching Elders were gone from the denomination...and then a great number of former PCUSA congregations with female pastors joined the EPC and the number of female Teaching Elders increased.

The issue of female Elders is an in-house debate, and the denomination neither forbids nor mandates female elders at this time. Whilst the congregation has the right to call it's own pastors, said persons MUST have the call placed in their hands by the the Presbytery in which that congregation belongs. Teaching Elders belong to the Presbytery and not their congregations.
 
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jinc1019

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The EPC has quite a bit more congregational autonomy than does the PCA and as such, one cannot claim that any one congregation 'represents' the EPC.

Some congregations have female Ruling and/or Teaching Elders, some forbid female elders. Some congregations are charismatic friendly, some are hard cessationalists. Some congregations have contemporary worship, some follow the regulative principle (as understood by the OPC or the PCA) and some have both kinds of services.

It has been my experience, having been a member of the EPC for 23 years that most congregations have female deacons (your mileage may vary). However since the deacons are neither a court of the church nor have any governing responsibilities, this is largely a non-issue.

At one point nearly all female Teaching Elders were gone from the denomination...and then a great number of former PCUSA congregations with female pastors joined the EPC and the number of female Teaching Elders increased.

The issue of female Elders is an in-house debate, and the denomination neither forbids nor mandates female elders at this time. Whilst the congregation has the right to call it's own pastors, said persons MUST have the call placed in their hands by the the Presbytery in which that congregation belongs. Teaching Elders belong to the Presbytery and not their congregations.

Good information, thanks!
 
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BryanW92

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No escape from politics

But many people do not see it as politics. They see politics as truth and politicians as people to be trusted to the extent that they will place their future in the hands of politicians and say "manage my life".
 
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tulipbee

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But many people do not see it as politics. They see politics as truth and politicians as people to be trusted to the extent that they will place their future in the hands of politicians and say "manage my life".

Arminianism vs calvinism
vs democrats vs republicans
both behave alike.
 
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