Why ECO?

I have blogged a bit about our dismissal from the PC(USA). Most of the previous posts have addressed why we are leaving, but not much has been said about why we are going to The Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, (ECO). Simply put, ECO is a better fit for us for several reasons.

ECO has a distinct theological identity. ECO is clear and unapologetic in its commitment to the historic Christian and Reformed doctrine. It recognizes the confessional statements that comprise the current Book of Confessions. But, it summarizes the essential doctrine of those confessions in its statement on Essential Tenets, which can be found here. Membership in ECO means that we uphold these Essential Tenets. Membership in ECO means that we expect to be held, and to hold one another, accountable to those tenets.

ECO revitalizes the connectional system so basic to Presbyterianism. Affiliation with the ECO places us in covenant relationships of accountability that will make us a better church. For example, local churches are formed together in Mission Accountability Groups (4-5 churches) that meet together to share best practices, encourage one another, and to hold one another accountable to being missional churches. One instrument Mission Accountability Groups will use is, “The Narrative On the Health Of Mission and Ministry.” It’s not just churches that are held accountable to one another. Pastors also meet in Pastor Accountability Groups. Pastors will use an accountability instrument called “The Pastoral Rule”. ECO has all of the basic polity pieces expected of a Presbyterian/Reformed church, but these additional practices present a more rigorous way of life.

ECO’s mission and vision resonate with our mission and vision. For example, FPC is serious about making disciples of Jesus, which is why we had the Apprenticeship Conference last summer. The first question of ECO’s, “The Narrative On the Health Of Mission and Ministry”, asks this question: “How has the Holy Spirit been evident in your congregation in the past year; through conversions, growth in the fruit of the Spirit, or other transformational experiences that make disciples of Jesus Christ?” That’s a good question for a church like ours. Also, FPC believes that growth in Christian maturity leads us out beyond the walls of the church in mission to a lost, hurting, and dying world, which is why we go to Burnet School, Mullins, West Virginia, and Haiti. The second question of the narrative asks, “How has your congregation extended itself beyond its bounds through the establishment of new communities of worship and discipleship, expanding the Kingdom of God?” Again, ECO’s priorities match ours as well.

Just these two examples highlight what a good fit the ECO is for us. Our congregation’s chief focus is growing in Christ and sending people in mission for Christ. ECO offers a denominational affiliation that will help us stay “on mission” rather than serve as a distraction.

On To Phase Two!

It’s been a long time since my last post. You can see in previous posts that most of my blogging last fall and summer attempted to convey the reasons our congregation is seeking dismissal from the PC(USA). I took a hiatus for the duration of the first phase of our dismissal process, which was the time presbytery used to assess the will of the congregation and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

During the first phase, the presbytery conducted listening sessions and we had a great turnout from church members. They made two presentations. One explained the process. The second presentation was their opportunity to share the benefits of the PC(USA) and to make the case for why we should stay. Then, the presbytery sent surveys last October 28^th as the final instrument of their discernment process. Since then, we have been waiting for presbytery to tell us if we can go to the next phase, which is negotiating a financial arrangement for the church property.

Last night, January 14^th, we met with the Presbytery Engagement Team (PET) to hear their decision about our future in this process. Happily, they said they unanimously agreed that we should move to the negotiation phase. Their decision pleases me greatly. It means that they see the church as largely united and that people understand the difference between the two denominations. The survey results support those opinions. Exactly 90% of the survey respondents said they wanted to leave the denomination and 10% said they wanted to stay. Close to 96% of the respondents expressed that they understood the difference between the PC(USA) and ECO.

The leadership of this church has poured hours of work into this process, and I am grateful for their wisdom and faithfulness. But, all of us know that our hope and trust is placed in Christ alone for the future of this process. That is why prayer is so critical right now. Our church is praying every day in January specifically for this process. I invite you to join us in those prayers. Pray for God’s wisdom to guide us, pray that people on both sides of this issue will still see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and pray that the Spirit of God will protect us from the deadly efforts of the Evil One.