The General Assembly Moderator chairs the meeting. According to the EPC Book of Order, “the Moderator of a court has the necessary authority to keep order, to expedite business, to convene, recess and adjourn meetings in conformity with rules of the court.”
At the same time, the office of Moderator carries a greater ecclesiastical role than simply conducting the General Assembly meeting. The role can be compared to the Speaker of the House in the U.S. Congress—the Moderator has the authority to not only run the meeting, but also to set the tone and help set the agenda. The Moderator is an officer of the Church, and represents the EPC at a wide variety of events and meetings during the 12 months following the General Assembly.