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What we want to cover

What we want to cover. History of Fellowship/ECO Distinctive Elements in ECO Current Focus in ECO Q&A. This Stream of Evangelicals. Always wanted to differentiate WITHIN for the sake of mission 17 th Synod Non-geographic presbyteries

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What we want to cover

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  1. What we want to cover • History of Fellowship/ECO • Distinctive Elements in ECO • Current Focus in ECO • Q&A

  2. This Stream of Evangelicals Always wanted to differentiate WITHIN for the sake of mission • 17th Synod • Non-geographic presbyteries • Protection for churches and presbyteries to hold to evangelical positions for leaders

  3. History of ECO/Fellowship White Paper February 2011 • Before It even looked like 10-A would pass • They no longer believed that the answer was to reform the denomination by outvoting it • Stronger covenantal relationships within the PC(USA) and for those who must to move outside of it.

  4. Minneapolis 2012 Multiple options proposed • Stay PC(USA) • Union Congregation • Union Presbytery • Full Departure to NRB

  5. Options in times of disagreement Actively concur Passively Submit Peaceably Withdraw

  6. Ethos we want to create Covenantal We are not mad Missional structure Connect where we can

  7. Colossians 1:28-29 “It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, sothat we may present everyone mature in Christ.  For this I toil and struggle with all the energythathe powerfully inspires within me.”

  8. View Fellowship as an Association of Like Minded Presbyterians Fellowship Other Presbyterian Reformed Denominations PC (USA) ECO

  9. ECO and PC(USA) are different denominations PC (USA) ECO Fellowship of Presbyterians

  10. Mission: To build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.

  11. VISION Baptize more than we bury by 2018

  12. Realities and Projections Currently: 55 Churches • Dec 2013 – 120Churches • Dec 2014 – 250 Churches • Dec 2015 – 400-500 Churches

  13. Distinctive Elements of ECO

  14. Distinctive #1 High Trust/Low Control In order to have high trust and low control there must be: • Agreement on core essential theology AND • 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”

  15. 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.”

  16. Distinctive #3 Commission of Elders and Deacons for Greater Service In ECO elders and deacons, when properly trained can be authorized to do the following: • They can administer sacraments in micro expressions of church (2.0502) (Under the authority of the session and a pastor.) • They can be a commissioned lay pastor of a church or a new church development (2.0503) (Under the authority of the Presbytery)

  17. Distinctive #4 Accountability & Encouragement Pastors and congregations need deeper relationships that can foster support and accountability. This happens within Presbytery, but also: • Pastor Covenant Groups – 2.0402 • The Mission Affinity Network for congregations – 1.0104

  18. Distinctive #5 Property Not Held in Trust Holding property in trust burdens the congregation and the presbytery.

  19. 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 the work of ECO. • Even though ECO is new, the goal or time spent on structure is as much time as needed and no more than necessary.

  20. 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.

  21. Current Focus in ECO Development

  22. Current Focusin ECO Development #1 Church Planting In order to facilitate a church planting movement we are creating: • Regional Networks • Church Planter Assessment Center • On-going training and coaching

  23. #2 Leadership Development Increasing the leadership capacity (knowledge, skills, and character) of current and emerging leaders (pastors, elders, deacons, and others). Current Focusin ECO Development

  24. Current Focusin ECO Development #3 Developing Support Structure • Emerging Presbyteries • Call system • Policies and procedures

  25. Current Focusin ECO Development #4 Developing the Covenant Order Helping pastors and churches live into covenant groups and Mission Affinity Work. • Shift focus away from “winning the vote” • How do we both organize, facilitate and share best practices in ministry

  26. Current Focusin 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.)

  27. Q & A

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