The mission of the Fellowship of Presbyterians is to build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.
OUR STORY
The Fellowship of Presbyterians began in January 2011 as a conversation between seven PC(USA) pastors who wanted to find new ways to encourage each other in common faith, ministry, and mission. These pastors were concerned about the health of the PC(USA) as a denomination, where membership has dropped steadily over 40 years and ongoing disputes over theology and bureaucracy create a culture of contention more than vitality. They talked of reclaiming a covenanted biblical community, where unity is derived from a shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ, not from structural affiliation, and where young leaders are nurtured to speak the gospel into a rapidly-changing world. The pastors issued a nationwide call to others of like mind who envisioned a new future for congregations to connect and grow while sharing a Presbyterian, Reformed, Evangelical heritage. In August 2011, more than 2,000 men and women of diverse ages and ethnicities answered that call, gathering in Minneapolis to dream and pray together. In January 2012, a Covenanting Conference took place in Orlando, where The Fellowship of Presbyterians met and the new Reformed body, ECO, was officially launched. Between the Minneapolis and Orlando gatherings, 1,159 unique congregations were represented. Of those, 227 were first-time attendees in Orlando. Read FAQs from December 2011.
OUR VALUES
Jesus-shaped Identity: We believe Jesus Christ must be at the center of our lives and that making disciples of Jesus at the core of our ministry.
Biblical Integrity: We believe the Bible is the unique and authoritative Word of God, which teaches all that is necessary for faith and life. The prominence of God’s Word over our lives shapes our priorities, and the unrivaled authority of the Bible directs our actions to be in concert with Christ’s very best for our lives.
Thoughtful Theology: We believe in theological education, constant learning, and the life of the mind, and celebrate this as one of the treasures of our Reformed heritage.
Accountable Community: We believe guidance is a corporate spiritual experience. We want to connect leaders to one another in healthy relationships of accountability, synergy, and care.
Egalitarian Ministry: We believe in unleashing the ministry gifts of women, men, and every ethnic group.
Missional Centrality: We believe in living out the whole of the Great Commission – including evangelism, spiritual formation, compassion, and redemptive justice – in our communities and around the world.
Center-focused Spirituality: We believe in calling people to the core of what it means to be followers of Jesus – what “mere Christianity” is and does – and not fixate on the boundaries.
Leadership Velocity: We believe identifying and developing gospel-centered leaders is critical for the church, and a great leadership culture is risk-taking, innovative, and organic.
Kingdom Vitality: We believe congregations should vigorously reproduce new missional communities to expand the Kingdom of God.
INTERIM BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF PRESBYTERIANS AND THE NEW REFORMED BODY
Dana Allin, Indian River Presbyterian, Fort Pierce, FL
Alan Baker, Menlo Park Presbyterian, Menlo Park, CA
Mark Brewer, Bel Air Presbyterian, Los Angeles, CA
John Crosby, Christ Presbyterian, Edina, MN
Marnie Crumpler, Peachtree Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA
Tae-Hyung Ko, Good Shepherd Presbyterian, Rowland Heights, CA
Rich Kannwischer, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA
Anna Whitehead Kent, Minister at Large, Huntsville, AL
Vic Pentz, Peachtree Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA
David Peterson, Memorial Drive Presbyterian, Houston, TX
Jim Singleton, First Presbyterian, Colorado Springs, CO
STAFF
Chief Operating Officer, Brenda Smith, Colorado Springs, CO
Administrative Consultant, Paul Detterman, Louisville, KY
Secretary/Treasurer, Allison Murray, Colorado Springs, CO
Administrative Assistant, Jane Harper, Louisville, KY
ADVISORY GROUP
Peter Barnes, Westlake Hills Presbyterian, Austin, TX
Moongil Cho, DuRaleigh Presbyterian, Raleigh, NC
Marina Gopadze, Buchanan Presbyterian, Buchanan, VA
Anne Hilborn, Carmel Presbyterian, Charlotte, NC
Mark Inouye, Morgan Hill Presbyterian, Morgan Hill, CA
Samuel Kim, Eastern Korean Presbytery, NJ
Nicole Lock, Westminster Presbyterian, Snellville, GA
Gayle Parker, The Spring, Tempe, AZ
Jack Peebles, First Presbyterian, Yakima, WA
Hector Reynoso, El Principe De Paz Mercedes, Mercedes, TX
POLITY GROUP
David Dobler, Pastor to the Presbytery of Alaska, Juneau, AK
Dana Allin, Pastor, Indian River Presbyterian, Fort Pierce, FL
Michael Carey, Pastor, Trinity Presbyterian, Satellite Beach, FL
Marnie Crumpler, Executive Pastor, Peachtree Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA
Joe Farrell, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian, Colorado Springs, CO
Rory Gillespie, Pastor, First Presbyterian, Lamar, CO
David Lambertson, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Central Washington
Emily McColl, Associate Pastor, Laguna Niguel Presbyterian, Laguna Niguel, CA
THEOLOGY GROUP
Jerry Andrews, Pastor, First Presbyterian, San Diego, CA
Laura Smit, Associate Professor of Theology, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Joe Small, former Director of Theology, Worship, and Education for the PC(USA)
Additional supporters listed on the Supporters page.
CONTACT US
email@fellowship-pres.org
www.facebook.com/fellowshippres
www.twitter.com/fellowshippres