ECO Update

ECO Update

As spring is emerging in its various forms across the country, we want to update you on ECO. The months since the Orlando conference have been filled with questions and answers, planning and preparation: many developments you will start to see more clearly in the very near future. These same months have also been filled with our observance of Lent and the joyful celebration of Easter. These themes of death and resurrection, and spiritual discernment, restoration, hope and new life, are permeating our lives. We continue to be excited to see what God is bringing about in our midst.

There are currently 47 congregations in the process of seeking release from the PC(USA) to join ECO. This process is different in the context of each presbytery, but always involves careful discernment, discussion, prayer, and several congregational meetings. Trinity Presbyterian Church, Satellite Beach Florida was the first congregation to complete the voting process. This past weekend two other congregations, Indian River Presbyterian Church in Fort Pierce, Florida and First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, Colorado cast their official congregational votes—95% to come to ECO in each case. Other congregations will be voting in coming weeks. Another group of congregations are in the process of discernment with their session. After each congregation votes there still needs to be a vote to approve release by their presbytery. We will keep you updated.

Being received into ECO takes time. An application must first be completed. Representatives of ECO’s Committee on Assimilation will then conduct personal interviews with the pastor(s) and session. These interviews focus on a series of narrative questions that help the session determine:

  • their level of comfort with the unique missional focus of ECO
  • their understanding and affirmation of the theological essentials, and
  • their understanding of ECO polity.

When the ECO representatives feel the pastors and session fully grasp the nature and purpose of ECO and are committed to this new way of being Church, the application will be sent to the ECO Board for approval. ECO leaders take this process very seriously, and realize that some congregations who are initially exploring ECO may discover this is not a fit.  This is all part of the discernment process.

4 Responses

  1. Joe Donaldson says:

    I see it as pretty simple really: Deuteronomy 4: 2 Revelation 22:18

  2. Allan H. says:

    If incoming churches are going to be asked about their understanding and affirmation of the theological essentials and of ECO polity, shouldn’t ECO clarify the confusion on those matters (commented on by several here) so churches will know what they are getting into?

    We have assurances on this blog that ECO is not subscriptionist, but the polity appears to contradict that as it requires those ordained to subscribe (even if they don’t use that word) to the “Essential Tenets”. And we have an Essential Tenets document that includes many nonessentials and was not meant to be an object of subscription. I still don’t know whether I could continue as an Elder in the ECO, because I could only affirm 98% of that document and the polity appears to require 100%.

    My church is among those in a process of discernment. While I am not on the committee working on that, I believe our ability to consider the ECO option is hindered by the ongoing failure to give clear answers about the role of the Essential Tenets document in the polity (and about whether every jot and tittle, even the nonessential stuff, must be affirmed).

  3. Seeking Pastor says:

    I would like a more “reformed theological” answer to the question about “subscription”. I share concern about being asked to subscribe to positions that are not essential — such as the question of when life begins. My reason for “seeking” is that I’m tired of having the political agenda of others detracting from the “essential” ministry that I am called to as a disciple of Christ. I’m looking for an end to divisive, argumentative political issues within the church. And for me “throwing out a couple Bible verses” is not consistent with a reformed interpretation of the Bible. I would hope for some room for differences on the non-essentials and particularly the “hot” issues. I’m seeking a focus on discipleship and church growth and an end to the hammering of either agenda — right or left. Maybe this group isn’t for me ???

  4. Lynn says:

    Allan, I share those same concerns.

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