What American Christianity needs is pastors and elders with spines. They are filled with "nice guy" pastors instead of those who will stand strong to protect the sheep.

As an OPC man, I also hope the best for the EPC. I think your last point is spot on, and it's something I've said for a while now. Those denominations for whom the last straw in their previous context was homosexuality, but who after their departure retained women's ordination, will find themselves right back where they began in a matter of a few short years. I think not only of the EPC, but also the ECO and the new Global Methodists. I have a bad feeling that they will be affirming homosexuality within a couple decades. I pray it would not be so, but the foundation is already crumbly.

Thank you so much for making this video. Was so excited you got to see Rosaria as well! Keep the faith brother, you are a blessing!

Random stranger: "excuse me, do you know where the restroom is?" Pastor Matt: "here's my book, do you want me to sign it for you?"

Thank you so much for speaking up on these matters!

Good to see this come across my feed, pastor Matt, been a while since I've heard you speak forthrightly. Sad to hear that the EPC is struggling with similar infiltration attempts to the SBC, I'll be praying for their convictions to be resolved aligned with Christ.

I am relatively new to the EPC (10 years) I pastored Southern Baptist churches for 18 years. I have Southern Baptist ordination credentials and seminary education. I departed the SBC for a few of reasons:1) I am thoroughly Reformed in my theology. 2) I am convinced Presbyterian polity is better that the SBC's and 3), it has significantly drifted to Wokeism (Marxism). After listening to this video I sent it to my pastor and asked him to comment.

Attend a fairly large EPC church in SE michigan, and we (thankfully) voted last Tuesday both to leave the EPC and join the PCA. After watching EPC GA today, I am very thankful.

Thanks Matthew! Spot on brother

I'm frankly shocked this video was released before actually reading up on these issues in greater detail...

Well said. Churches need to remember ‘come OUT of the world and be ye separate’.

I'm glad you're in the PCA now.

Imagine: the body of Christ not only divided by 1000 denomination games like "catholic vs protestant" but now we add "racist and race sensitive" churches.

As a layperson who grew up in the EPC, I read the Pastoral Letter of Racial Lament and Hope. It is Marxism, but not the introduction of Marxism. Marxism has already infiltrated the EPC. Rufus Smith is one of the signers of the letter and is also the lead pastor of the largest congregation in the EPC. In this article (1) Rufus Smith says, “spiritual reconciliation (harmony between God and humankind) must address racial inequity,” Although Rufus Smith believes in racial equity, the word “Equity” is found nowhere in the EPC’s Pastoral Letter of Racial Lament and Hope. If we must address racial inequity, why is that nowhere clearly enumerated in the letter? I think that reason is just exactly what your friend said. It is Cultural Marxism wrapped up in Christianese. The word is not there, but the concept is. The reason the word is not there is because if we have been paying attention to the politics of the day we would know “Equity” is a Marxist buzzword. Equity is equality of outcome, not equality of opportunity. Basically no matter how the game is played, the score must be the same. That is evident in this interview. (2) What is worse, the current battle is not over how the gospel should be lived out, some endorsing social justice and some endorsing conservatism. This is a battle over the definition of the gospel. Rufus smith defines the gospel as “preaching, teaching, and healing.” The healing is defined as “the mitigation of human pain, not the elimination of human pain, but the mitigation of human pain.” He defines it that way in the interview and also in this “gospel” presentation. (3) “gospel” is in quotes because if you watch the sermon you will understand it is no gospel at all. This is the tip of the iceberg. There are so many good people in the EPC, I love the EPC, but it is being infiltrated. Comment me if you want more info. (1) epconnection.org/2019/04/22/hope-church-building-a-multiethnic-church-in-memphis (2) m.kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sM6Hfa-Ft7iWpJs.html&pp=ygUPUnVmdXMgc21pdGggZXBj (3) m.kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jMx-jbCBucyWeZs.html&pp=ygUSUnVmdXMgc21pdGggZ29zcGVs

As a member of the Canadian Reformed churches. I can tell you that it as a denomination doesn't make blanket policy statements about politics or political issues or even social issues. The word alone. No statements to bind the conscience.

You have nothing to apologize for.

Why are they focusing on racism and this other stuff instead of teaching Christians how to be in the time that we are in ? The world is changing, war is at the door and so is persecution. We are doing a huge disservice to our fellow believers by not showing them and teaching them how we are suppose to conduct ourselves. Whether thats to do with being enslaved, or having your property taken from you, there are so many things we need to be talking about to prepare us.

I sat in front of Matthew and didn't get a book! Just kidding - it was good to meet you in person.

All denominations are being winnowed. The PcA is mostly woke and won’t make it sadly long term. See what happened to Zach Garris for talking about basic history and the biblical position on slavery.

The wound will never heal , because we keep picking the scrap

I think one of the worst mistakes we made in regard to Greg Johnson is letting him leave in tact. If we would have acted more firmly with him, fewer denominations would be willing to extend the right hand of fellowship to a man that, as you said, hurt us legitimately.

It's just sad that so many bring up the slavery issue over and over when all denominations have profusely apologized and repented of this sinful behavior in the past. It is so unchristian to keep on bringing up the same repented subject over and over to weapon against other Christians.

Yes, we need to be very careful how we use terms - "racism" , "social justice" etc and we also have to be very careful addressing current events and social issues - these terms and events have layers to them and the enemy will always seek to cause confusion and discord by distorting the truth on these issues and divide us. We need to elevate the glory of Christ and what Christ has accomplished for our sinful "race" - humanity. Christ makes us one with Him, and He makes us one with one another, and we need to understand that and we need to demonstrate that to the world. Our unity is based first and foremost upon Christ and how Christ views us - not how we view one another.

Brother Matt, I wholeheartedly agree with you that racism is a sin of the heart. Jesus said "He who hates his brother without a cause..." is an inference to that. It's important to look to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to evaluate our hearts in matters of Christian love.

I Attend and EPC right now and enjoy it, but these issues are huge, makes me want to head to a reformed Baptist church or an OPC church both of which are not close to me . Blessed God and let us pray for the body of Christ!

The most segregated day on America is Sunday morning.

I'm a member of the EPC, and having read the letter, the outlook is not good. If the EPC keeps trending in the direction, it is trending in than my church might have enough reasons to switch to PCA.

with EPC avoiding doctrinal teaching on the topic and considering Memorial becoming partnof EPC, i don't think they have set themselves up in the past or are oblivious now. I believe they know what they're doing. A mole to put it nicely is growing.

I am part of the Christian reformed Church, otherwise known as the CRC. Basically the Dutch version of Presbyterianism. Our current Synod is discussing issues like same-sex marriage and LGBT. At least the EPC is not to that point yet. Interestingly, it seems as if the majority of the CRC is turning out to be more traditional on sexuality rather than more liberal like most mainline denominations.

I watched a video in which Klaus Schwab says that he has people (he and other very wealthy people who share his views) supported in all sectors of society; businessmen, pastors, priests, leaders in all sorts of business and organizations and institutions, teachers, professors, politicians, lobbyists, prosecutors, judges, etc. As far as I know, neither of these people are obliged to disclose all the money they receive, so they can be funded by special interest and we don't know, and Klaus Schwab gave us his hint. We think that Marxist education and bad influence is all that it takes to drive a person to strongly push a liberal agenda even when facing strong backlash, but it is known that, contrary to the right, to conservatives, the left (liberals, progressists) tend to be more willing to do work voluntarily. Comparatively, liberals tend to be more willing to keep pushing their views upon receiving financial aid (because liberal views are hard to push into people). When that's not the case, there can be blackmailing, or a combination of both. I'd suggest that church leaders and their direct aids (at least church leaders) were obliged to disclose everything they receive in help. Everything, exposing their bank statements in a regular way; what they spend their money on doesn't need to be disclosed. Or disclose what they receive if the origin and amount don't fulfill some requirements. I know it sounds like privacy invasion, but that's what the leftie billionaires use to their favor.

Why aren't the denominations looking more at unification

I am not in favour of non denominational churches. But I have to wonder when I see case after case of this liberal infection: How did denominations get in this bad of shape? Is it from even having all of these general conferences and general assemblies? Maybe we should all take the Scripture and Confessions as we have them and drop the GC and GAs. How does truth continue to be up for debate year after year after year?

What is the Revoice controversy? Side B? What do these things mean?

Pride is a sin. GOD Bless

Racism is a sin of the heart? What Scripture verse lists racism being a sin? The word was invented in the 20th century.

And that's why trying to be race blind is why the Presbyterian Church skews heavily towards one demographic . Its outreach is horrible to other races. And this is an American problem not a cultural one. There are more Presbyterians in Mexico than there are in the United States but there's no way you would know that if you look at the demographics of Presbyterians in this country.

This boils down to white racism and the problem is all races have their racial problems. Let's learn to forgive one another and seek to be more Christ like.

Kind of proves Redeemed Zoomer's point. Even breakaways and offshoots will suffer the same result if if enough time passes.

Panta ta ethne

I have my own sins to deal with besides I was never a part of slavery so I won’t be held responsible for someone else’s sins. Besides, I have never met anyone who was an ACTUAL slave; someone who was the legal property of another person. Racial reconciliation goes both ways.

Matthew, this is a very disappointing video. You have been poorly informed about what is going on in the EPC. Galatians 5 warns believers against having this kind of spirit. You cite “problems you have with this Pastoral Letter” without having read it. You speak to the challenge that one of our presbyteries is facing as they consider a church and a pastor totally incorrectly. We do have a theological and doctrinal position on this. You’re just poorly informed all around. The title card on this video was clickbait. Please prayerfully consider what truly motivated you to do that. To be as charitable as possible, I am going to assume you meant no ill intent but took a half-baked batch of information from someone and put it out there without carefully considering the ramifications. As a result, you have sown strife, disunity, and dissension into your video and your promotion of it (your X post was very problematic, but thanks for taking it down). As a biblically informed pastor, you know that Galatians 5 warns us against what you have, I hope inadvertently, done here. Let us be the peacemakers that Jesus called us to be. Please don’t sow discord in a space where you don’t even reside. You’ve been ill-informed all around, and it clearly shows in this video. For those of you EPC folks in this comment thread, I urge you to talk to your pastors and your presbyteries about the issues we are discussing at the upcoming GA. We will discuss them with honor and respect. Good, Christ-honoring decisions will be made after having been carefully considered. Don’t get your information from someone who isn’t even a member of our denomination and doesn't have all the information. Matthew, once we have properly, in true Presbyterian form, let the procedural wheels spin at our GA, and we have discussed and prayed about how to handle our business, you are certainly welcome to respond to that if you feel you must from your perspective over there in another denomination. But to preemptively say all this was a really poor choice. Not Christ-honoring, not unity-promoting, just a bad choice. Please do better, brother.

I think the subject of race needs to be talked about. I think we also need to be careful about telling black Christian’s how to express themselves.

Satan is alive and well and continues to work.