John Ortberg told us this morning that, while he's relatively new to the Presbyterian Church, he thinks it has been a long time since we've dreamed. Perhaps it takes a converted Baptist - someone joining us from beyond the ranks of the predestined - to help us see ourselves better.
The Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO, not ECOOP) is an attempt to begin dreaming again, to imagine a movement - more than an institution - that is "in love with the church that Jesus started," as Ortberg put it. He said that our current denomination is dying from "internal strife and external irrelevance." ECO hopes to create an environment of 'high trust and low control.'ECO and the Fellowship of Presbyterians have the singular purpose to "build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ."
ECO is the name for the new Reformed body that the Fellowship of Presbyterians is attempting to birth tomorrow evening. The Fellowship of Presbyterians will stay in place as a connecting organization but ECO will be a separate and distinct Reformed body which churches can join when they leave the PCUSA. It's unclear to me still, if churches that do not wish to leave the PCUSA can also formally affiliate with ECO. It sounded to me today like ECO is only for those who want to be part of a completely new denomination (albeit with close relationship and working partnerships, where conscience allows, with the PCUSA).
Clear Lake Presbyterian Church is not alone here. There are plenty of congregations represented who, like us, are not feeling any immediate need to disaffiliate with the PCUSA. But there are some here who are very anxious to depart. In fact, they are not sure they can wait around much longer for the ECO to take shape. They may need to choose another existing denomination instead.
I love these people here. The vision being cast is compelling. I want to make disciples of Jesus Christ. I want to lead my congregation in taking the wildly-alive Gospel to our neighbors and our world. Practically speaking, for us, I think that has very little to do with the denominational name on our church sign but everything to do with who lives in our hearts.
1 comment:
Steve, Even though I have left the PCUSA - it is pastors like you that I hope will lead the future of the denomination. I don't necessarily agree with everything the PCA stands for - and associate with the rebel churchs in that denomination - I feel that the GA of the PCUSA has moved to far for me to be a part of the organization. Would love to chat with you about it. I hope that someday I can come back and be proud to say I am PCUSA. But today I am proud to call you brother and friend! - Jo Little
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