ECO invites followers of Jesus who share a Reformed, Presbyterian heritage to reclaim a sense of covenanted biblical community. ECO exists to serve the local church and nurture leaders so that the Kingdom of God expands.
Read about the ECO Vision.
As an expression of The Fellowship of Presbyterians, ECO seeks to serve the ministry and mission of Christ’s Church. Our name represents a three-fold commitment to make disciples of Jesus Christ (Evangelical), connect leaders through accountable biblical relationships founded in God’s grace (Covenant), and commit to a shared way of life together (Order). The acronym ECO also speaks to our commitment to strengthen the “ecosystems” of local churches, providing the resources needed to grow, thrive, and reproduce.
Just as earthly ecosystems draw richness from the right kind of diversity, ECO is committed to unleashing the ministry gifts of women, men, young leaders, and every ethnicity. ECO’s name also draws from the Greek term oikos, meaning “household,” used in the Bible to reference the network of relationships that nurture an individual.
- Polity Presentation (slides shown at Friday morning polity presentation in Orlando)
- ECO Retirement Plan Overview
- Evangelical Covenant Order (downloadable pdf of ECO’s vision and purpose)
- ECO Benefits
- ECO Benefits Presentation
- ECO Rate Sheet
- Polity
- Theology
- Press Release
Video of John Ortberg’s announcement of ECO at the Fellowship Covenanting Conference on January 19, 2012
In reading the Essential Tenants [pages 5-8 of The Fellowship Theology Project] more closely and indeed preaching on them to our congregation (who has applied to be dismissed to ECO), I have a question. Am I correct that currently the bolded sentences are the Essential Tenants? Or are we being held to all in the current 4 pages? For example, the statement about marriage comes in the explanation about the 7th of the Ten Commandments but is not bolded. Secondly, how does one connect with the Theological Task Force? Blessings to all involved in this important movement!
Is there a means for more personal conversation among pastors considering leaving the PCUSA for ECO? Geographical discussion or a private internet exchange — where we can share questions, fears, joys and find mutual support and accountability in the discernment process?
This is a great question toward an even better concept. We’ll get to work on it ASAP.
What is ECO’s position on abortion? Is it pro-life?
I will honor the sanctity of human life above the claims of human freedom: (Psalm 8: 4-5) from the Fellowship/ECO covenant
Do you have to have your M. Div to be ordained in the ECO? I have a M.A. from Denver Seminary and some denominations require an M. Div and some do not.
As a minister in the PC(USA), I am disheartened when any group says to another we are better or purer or more authentic Christians without you around. When did a potentially promising fellowhip within the PC(USA) become a denomination (post or otherwise) apart from the PC(USA)?
Please clarify whether ECO is a denomination you leave PCUSA to join, or an order within PCUSA? Or some combination of both?
ECO is a denomination you leave the PC(USA) to join.
“life of the mind” under the “of Presbyterians” quadrant of the table above sounds like jargon of some sort. What does it mean?
Seriousness about theology.
I agree with the points raised by Allan. There seems to be a serious disconnect between this answer and the actual Essential Tenets and Polity documents. The Essential Tenets and Polity documents certainly do purport to establish theological boundaries. If the ECO is not planning to require church leaders to affirm and be bound by the Essential Tenets, then this is dramatically different than what has been publicly stated in your governing documents. It is essential that you clarify this ASAP before any more confusion results.
What is the gospel? What is the core-theology of the ECO?
Dallas Willard has written, “…the gospel of the entire New Testament is that you can have new life now in the Kingdom of God if you will trust Jesus Christ. Not just something he did, or something he said, but trust the whole person of Christ in everything he touches – which is everything.” At its core, ECO seeks to trust the whole person of Jesus Christ in everything. The Confessions, read through this lens, and the Essential Tenets all point to this.
Just saw news that FPC Colorado Springs is leaning toward joining y’all.
I just have to wonder why another Presbyterian denomination is needed? While I recognize that some who leave the PC(USA) may find OPC, PCA, RPCNA or the United Reformed Church “too conservative,” why not the EPC which, while relatively conservative, is not quite as much so as the others? Why not leave for truly and solidly Reformed Presbyterianism?
When Machen et alia left in the early 20th Century, it was to return to orthodox Christianity. The same was true with the PCA (My denomination). Both have adopted slightly modified versions of the Westminster Standards, extracting parts about the Pope being Antichrist and other aspects that do not apply outside a Monarchy; as well as sound BCO. I’m not as familiar with the history of the EPC.
I do not mean this to be as much critical as genuinely inquisitive. I respect that Christians are taking a stand against drift from Biblical truth, and sad that the drift is happening. But why not move farther back to the Historic Reformed Christian Faith than where the PC(USA) was just a few short years ago?
Great question. One answer is that we have entered an age some have identified as “post denominational.” Evidence of this abounds. The impetus for The Fellowship and then ECO has less to do with specific issues, which can be addressed by simply transferring to another established body that believes a certain way, and more to do with rethinking what it means to “be” the Body of Christ in the 21st Century. ECO is designed not only to take theology, our Reformed Tradition, and the life of the mind seriously, but to create a new and very different atmosphere for ministry. This new atmosphere is intended to be a fresh wind within the PC(USA) through The Fellowship and part of the defining DNA of ECO.
Can You clear things up for me. Are You or are you not a subscription affiliation?
Not. A clearer explanation of this can be found in our core values: 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.
Can somebody explain how a polity that requires those ordained to “receive, adopt, and be bound by” a set of “Essential Tenets” is not subscription? I like the idea of focusing on the core and not fixating on boundaries, but in the draft polity the Essential Tenets function very much as a boundary fence (which I think is something many want).
I feel like somebody here (maybe it is me) needs Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride to say “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
This is a great question. We’ll tackle it in an FAQ coming soon.
I just heard about your new denomination, and wanted to offer congratulations and prayers for each of you. My grandparents were Presbyterian, and would be proud of what you are doing. Our Lutheran congregation has broken from the ELCA for similar reasons, and has joined the North American Lutheran Church. Our membership has grown by 60+ over the past 18 months because of people leaving other local ELCA congregations that refuse to change. We know where you have come from, and where you are going. I promise you that the road ahead is much better than the one behind. Blessings on your ministry!
can you please print the names of churches that commit to ECO as they do.
Although I’m thrilled to see the brethren fighting for orthodoxy, I must say that conservatives leaving the PC(USA) over time (OPC, PCA, EPC, now ECO and many others) have helped the liberals take over more thoroughly of the once great denomination that was the PC(USA).
My church being a fruit of the PC(USA) herself (I’m Presbyterian Church of Brazil), I must confess I feel a dual feeling of joy, of seeing christians wanting to be church, and sadness, to know that the abhorent things in the PC(USA) will just keep happening and now at a faster pace as there are less and less orthodox christians in it to put a break to it.
Pax Christi,
Nate
The encroachment of liberalism in the PCUSA has been happening over a period of decades (Satan at work or just the “world” intruding?). The conservative wing has fought a holding action, but has been losing ground, step-by-step against the constant assault. The latest retreat of PCUSA from orthodoxy is just the most dramatic step in a long line of “falling away” (as viewed by those of us who tend to a more narrow view of the Word of God). After a while, you get tired of fighting a losing battle and want to get back to the core issues of being a “church” that worships The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rather than adapting to the most current fads.
Sometimes the best way to win a battle is to retreat, rather than be “unequally yoked” in an ecclesiastical “marriage”.
If the liberals in PCUSA take advantage of their increase numerical advantage, they’ll eventually become a mere shadow of what they were a decade ago.
Personally, I wish we could all agree on basic God-driven directions and adhere to them. But the wishes of the flesh and the call of “the world” are tools of Satan that will lure some away. It would be amazing if Satan were not at work in an attempt to suborn our faith. In fact, I’d worry that we were doing something wrong if Satan didn’t think we were worth attacking. I also wish that all of us who wish to join/create another denominational form of Presbyterianism could agree on one, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.
Our church leaders have looked at several alternatives and seem to prefer ECO, but the vote of the Congregation hasn’t happened yet, so I (not part of leadership) have no idea where we’ll end up. I can only hope that God will give the Congregation the wisdom to do what is best by HIS WILL.