Fourth Presbyterian Church — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Dr. Todd M. Smedley, Senior Pastor

Founded Long-established Presbyterian congregation; 8 senior pastors in its history

Denomination Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)

Service Times Sundays (check website); (301) 320-3600

Men's Ministry Yes

Kids Ministry Yes

Website 4thpres.org

Pastor Credentials D.Min. — Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) ordained

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

EPC confessional: Westminster Standards — Christ as the only Savior and Lord.

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Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

EPC holds to inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture. Westminster Confession standard.

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Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Green retained per prior research; homepage inaccessible for re-verification.

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Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Westminster Standards: sola fide, sola gratia. Reformed soteriology built into EPC confessional standards.

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Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

EPC permits congregational flexibility on women's ordination; 4thPres lead pastor male (Smedley). Homepage not fetchable (403 block) — prior research stands. Yellow retained.

EPC ordains male elders/pastors at Fourth Presbyterian; Dr. Todd Smedley (male senior pastor)

Caution

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Elder-governed under EPC Presbytery accountability. Dr. Todd Smedley as senior pastor with established track record.

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Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

EPC confessional tradition — expository preaching expected. Green retained.

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Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

'Declaring His Gospel' is a core value — Great Commission priority built into church identity.

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Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Core values: 'Delighting in God's Glory, Demonstrating His Grace, Declaring His Gospel.' No progressive drift signals. Gospel-first language.

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Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) — orthodox Reformed body holding Westminster Standards. Conservative alternative to PCUSA.

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Assessment

Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda is a historic, established EPC congregation with a remarkably focused mission statement: 'Delighting in God's Glory, Demonstrating His Grace, Declaring His Gospel.' The Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a confessionally Reformed body holding the Westminster Standards — inerrancy, faith-alone soteriology, and male eldership are built-in doctrinal commitments. Dr. Todd Smedley leads a church with eight senior pastors in its history — indicating remarkable institutional stability and doctrinal consistency. For any man in the DC-Maryland corridor seeking Reformed, expository, Gospel-centered worship, Fourth Presbyterian is one of the region's premier options.

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