The Evangelical Protestant Church (GCEPC) or The Lutheran Evangelical Protestant Church (LEPC) is a mainline Protestant denomination under the General Conference of Evangelical Protestant Churches headquartered in Cayce-West Columbia, South Carolina, United States.
The LEPC was officially birthed in 2000 and was formed as a non-profit corporation under the Board of Advisors in 2001. The Lutheran Evangelical Protestant Church (EPC/GCEPC LEPC) ministers across the United States of America and around the world. Its ministers can study at the Concordia Theologica Institute of Biblical Studies.[1] The EPC GCEPC is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). It is also a member of the Chaplain's Commission and the Mission America Coalition of the NAE.
Like other Lutheran denominations, the LEPC has its roots in the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses can be summarized as “Sola Gratia" ("by Divine Grace alone"), Sola Fide ("by Faith alone”), and Sola Scriptura ("by the Bible alone"). This doctrine of salvation through faith through divine grace is held to be true by the LEPC.[2] Scripture alone in matters of life, faith, and practice is held to be true rather than the doctrines and traditions of men. These three are considered to be what makes the LEPC “Lutheran”. The LEPC adheres to the three creeds, Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian,[3] and confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and the truth and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures.
The core beliefs of the EPC GCEPC/LEPC are:
The following are the Position Statements of the EPC GCEPC/LEPC as stated on their website.[4]
Baptism: "Water baptism identifies the believer with the death and burial of Christ and that the believer should arise to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 8:26-40) In baptism a believer is identified with Christ whether by immersion, sprinkling, dunking, or pouring where water is provided for such service. Baptism may be by immersion or pouring or sprinkling if water is not available for immersion."
Ordination: "Ordination into Christian service is for men and woman who have experienced salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and who are baptized believers called by Christ through the Holy Spirit to serve Him in ministry. The LEPC believes that God has set aside particular individuals for service and that ordination is man’s recognition of what God Himself has already done. Men and women may serve as co-laborers with Christ in the harvest fields. Men and women may serve as deacons, overseers, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelist as examples of all of these can be found in scripture concerning both male and female. From the beginning authority was given to both male and female. In Christ there is neither male nor female, Gentile or Jew, but all are children and servants of God. All are called as a royal priesthood. All levels of leadership are open to spirit led men and women of God."
Homosexuality: "The Lutheran Evangelical Protestant Church follows the Bible in all matters of faith including the issue of homosexuality. The LEPC will not knowingly ordain any practicing homosexual to the Christian ministry. The belief of the LEPC is that homosexuality should not be an issue causing division and debate within the Church at large, as Holy Scripture already settles the debate. The Christian faith and the love of Christ calls believers to love the sinner but hate the sin. LEPC Clergy minister to all people, welcomes all people following the example of the Lord, Jesus Christ."
Marriage: "Marriage is the union of a man and a woman. It is a vow made before God that the two (male and female) shall become one. The General Conference of Evangelical Protestant Churches, LEPC and EPC, does not perform same sex unions or bless same sex couples."
Abortion: "Abortion is the willful taking of innocent human life. Human life begins at conception because there is simply no other point that it can begin. Therefore, abortion is not acceptable under any circumstance except in the rare and unusual instance where the life of the mother is at real risk. Only then should an abortion be considered."
Israel and the Jewish People: "The Jewish people are God's chosen people. Believers should bless them as scripture says that God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. The LEPC/EPC/GCEPC recant and renounce the works and words of Martin Luther concerning the Jewish people. Prayer is offered for the healing of the Jewish people, their peace and their prosperity. Prayer is offered for the peace of Jerusalem. With deep sorrow and regret repentance is offered to the Jewish People for the harm that Martin Luther caused and any contribution to their harm. Forgiveness is requested of the Jewish People for these actions. The Gospel is to the Jew first and then the Gentile. Gentiles (believers in Christ other than Jews) have been grafted into the vine. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile but the Lord's desire is that there be one new man from the two for Christ broke down the wall of separation with His own body (Ephesians 2:14-15).The EPC GCEPC/LEPC blesses Israel and the Jewish people. Prayers are offered for the Middle East and for the salvation and peace of the Arab world."
Unity of the Body of Christ: "The EPC GCEPC/LEPC, admonishes and encourages "In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity." The EPC GCEPC/LEPC shares the essentials with our many Christian sisters and brothers and this is necessary to our faith and belief in Jesus Christ for salvation. Many schisms have come in the Body of Christ because of conflicts and disagreements over "non-essentials." In the non-essentials liberty is offered for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. In all things charity is offered as well as blessing. The EPC GCEPC/LEPC labors alongside others in the Body of Christ in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ as all believers long for His second coming. The Lord Jesus Himself first announced his salvation to world, which cannot be neglected, and God added His witness through signs, wonders, and the distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to God's will. (Hebrews 2:1-4) The Lord Jesus is the head of God's Church. There are many parts but one Body. Each part of the Body of Christ has been given an assignment from the Lord to fulfill until Jesus' coming. The GCEPC/LEPC/EPC endeavors to complete this work in the spirit of unity and in the bonds of peace."
Sexual abuse: "Incidents of sexual abuse will be reported to civil authorities. Ministers known as perpetrators will not be reassigned nor will known perpetrators be allowed to continue in ministry with the LEPC/GCEPC."
The LEPC is overseen by the Presiding Bishop with a life appointment . The Board of Advisors appoints the Presiding Bishop with nominations from the Conference. Synod Bishops are appointed by the Presiding Bishop for life with Board of Advisor approval. All Bishops have five year reviews. The Board of Advisors serves in staggered three and two year renewable terms. EPC GCEPC/LEPC congregations and ministries are autonomous. The church is divided into geographical synods and non-geographical synods. Home groups and one new man fellowships are encouraged.
The EPC GCPEC/LEPC ordains both men and women to the gospel ministry noting that scripture states that in “Christ Jesus there is neither male not female, Jew or Greek". Also, noting that the Book of Concord states that seminaries are for the preparation of men and women but more so that Holy Scripture does not specifically direct yes or no but rather indicates by example that women did pursue the gospel ministry and did serve in positions of authority in Biblical times. The EPC GCEPC/LEPC professes the “priesthood of all believers”. The current and sixth Presiding Bishop of the EPC GCEPC/LEPC is Nancy Kinard Drew. Both males and females may serve on the Executive and Advisory Boards and the Council of Bishops.
The EPC GCEPC/LEPC is in historic and valid apostolic succession (AS), which is transmitted "by the laying on of hands during our ordination services of Word and Sacrament".[5]
The EPC GCEPC/LEPC confesses two sacraments: the Eucharist (Communion, The Lord’s Supper) and Holy Baptism. All believers are welcome at the Lord’s Table. The EPC GCEPC/LEPC will baptize infants but for salvation there must be faith in Christ. As seen by the thief on the cross who was told “Today, you shall be with me in paradise,” there are exceptions to the requirements of baptism. One is not saved through baptism only. Such practice would be empty without faith in Christ but one can be saved by faith in Christ without baptism. Baptism alone does not save. It should not be said "I am saved because I am baptized but rather I am saved because of faith in Christ therefore I am/will be baptized."
The EPC GCEPC/LEPC is missions oriented and has congregations and church plants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Angola, and Kenya. Concordia Bible Institute of Kenya prepares indigenous ministers to take the salvation message to their own people. Courses through Concordia Theologica Institute for Biblical Studies are available online for those who desire to meet the educational requirements of the LEPC and link with the LEPC in ministry.
The EPC GCEPC/LEPC permits a broad range of worship styles from contemporary to traditional to liturgical to renewal/charismatic and messianic.