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What we want to cover:
• Missional Vision of ECO• Distinctive Elements in ECO• Next Steps in ECO• Q&A
Colossians 1:28-29
“It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and
teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may
present everyone mature in Christ.
For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.”
Mission: To build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Mission: To build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Our energy should be spent on “presenting everyone mature in Christ.” (Col 1:28-29).
• We seek to be an ECO-system of churches that learn from one another and support one another for God’s purpose in the world.
• We should aggressively develop disciples, nurture leaders, and birth churches.
VISION
Baptize more than we bury
Plant more than we transfer
Two problems we are addressing
• Theological problems – This is the presenting issue and the first concern of most congregations.
• Institutional problem – A “denomination” needs to focus on the health of the church and its leaders, not on bickering and/or organizational preservation.
View Fellowship as an Association of Like Minded Presbyterians
Fellowship
PC (USA)ECO
Other Reformed
Denominations
ECO and PC(USA) are
different denominations
Training, staffing,
encouragement
ECO PC (USA)
Fellowship of Presbyterians
Realities and Projections
Currently: 20 Churches• Jan 2013 – 50 Churches• Jan 2014 – 200 Churches• Jan 2015 – 400-500 Churches
Distinctive #1
High Trust/Low Control
In order to have high trust and low control there must be:
1. Agreement on core essential theology AND2. A desire to think differently about the
function of denominations.
2.0102 “Ordaining bodies must ensure that all officers adhere to the Essential Tenets of ECO”
Distinctive #2
Micro-Expressions
We often say church isn’t just what occurs in corporate worship service, but we often only validate corporate worship as “church”.
2.0502 “The Church exists wherever two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus. Therefore, it is appropriate to celebrate sacraments in these smaller units.”
Distinctive #3 Commission of Elders and Deacons for Greater ServiceIn ECO elders and deacons, when properly
trained can be authorized to do the following:1. They can administer sacraments in micro
expressions of church (2.0502) (Under the authority of the session and a pastor.)
2. They can be a commissioned lay pastor of a church or a new church development (2.0503) (Under the authority of the Presbytery)
Distinctive #4
Accountability & Encouragement
Pastors and congregations need deeper relationships that can foster support and accountability. This support and peer review (2.0402) can occur through:
1. The local Presbytery – 3.01022. The missional affinity network – 5.02013. Pastor Covenant Group
Distinctive #5
Property Not Held in Trust
Holding property in trust burdens the congregation and the presbytery.
Distinctive #6 Less Money and Time on Denominational Structure
• 1% of annual budget is given to support ECO at local and national level. This is usually less than people pay in per-capita. We do ask congregations to consider mission gifts or special offerings to support mission initiatives.
• Even though ECO is new, the goal or time spent on structure is as much time as needed and no more than necessary.
Distinctive #7
More Time on Training
National meetings have limited business and more time getting the top quality information and training, we want to encourage this at the presbytery and affinity network level as well.
Next Steps in ECO
Development
#1 Ordination
Old Question: “What do you have to do to
get ordained?”
New Questions: “What kinds of leaders and
pastors does the church need?” AND
“What is the best way to produce these leaders?”
#2 Leadership Development
Increasing the leadership capacity (knowledge, skills, and character) of current and emerging leaders (pastors, elders, deacons, and others).
Next Steps in ECO
Development
#3 Church Planting
How can we look at church planting differently that takes into account.
a. You have to plant a church not buy it.
b. The way church looks might be very different. While it can be a “traditional church plant” it can also be a house church or a collection of missional communities.
Next Steps in ECO
Development
#4 Developing the Covenant Order
How can pastors and churches live into peer review and missional affinity networks.
a. Shift focus away from “winning the vote”
b. How do we both organize, facilitate and share best practices in ministry
Next Steps in ECO
Development
#5 Working on the Theology Project
Greater work needs to be done in areas of theology.
• What is the nature of our confessional heritage? Which confessions do we want to call core?
• How can we flesh out our understanding of missional ecclesiology. (Meaning our theology of church, leadership, and function.)
Next Steps in ECO
Development
Process for joining ECOFollow your Presbytery procedure
• Fill out application (ordinarily after session recommends ECO)• Interview for pastors/churches• Letter is given that you will received
pending dismissal • Congregation Votes• Presbytery votes dismiss church and
pastor
