denominational issuestown hall meeting

Denominational IssuesTown Hall Meeting

Stockton Presbytery

The Fellowship & ECO

New Ministry Ideas

Questions• Why do mainline denominations

decline?• How do organizations actually

change – how is the church renewed?

Realities• There will be those who either will not

or won’t be able to leave the PC-USA• There will be those who cannot, in

good conscience, stay in the PC-USA• Desire to support Covenanting

partners within and without by doing something different – and encourage joint ministry where possible

ProposalWe believe we will not survive without drastic intervention. We are ready to do something different, TO THRIVE as the Body of Christ. We call others of like mind to envision a new future for congregations who share our Presbyterian, Reformed, Evangelical heritage. If the denomination has the ability and will to move in this new direction, we will rejoice. Regardless, a group of us will change course, forming a new way for our congregations to relate.

Proposal

• Theological Re-Covenanting – return to core theological values

• Polity Re-envisioning – what has and what has not served us well

Proposal• A Fellowship of Congregations– Affirm a Covenant of Faith– Affirm the Essentials Tenets

• Possible Reconfigurations of Presbyteries in PC-USA

• Formation of a New Reformed Body

PC-USA ECOFellowship of Presbyterians

Fellowship Passions• A clear, concise theological core to which we

subscribe, within classic biblical, Reformed/Evangelical traditions,

• A commitment to nurture leadership in local congregations

• A passion to share in the larger mission of the people of God globally

• A dream of multiplying healthy, missional communities;

• A pattern of fellowship and joint mission, with regular gatherings locally, regionally, and nationally

Fellowship Structure• A minimalist structure, replacing

bureaucracy and most rules with relational networks of common purpose;

• Property and assets under stewardship of the local Session.  

• Rather than large institutions, joint ventures with specialized ministries

• An atmosphere of support for congregations both within and outside of the PC(USA).

Core-Values

• Jesus-Shaped Identity• Biblical Integrity• Thoughtful Theology• Accountable Community• Egalitarian Ministry

Core-Values

• Missional Centrality• Center-Focused Spirituality• Leadership Velocity• Kingdom Vitality

Fellowship Options• TIER 1: Remain in prophetically but

go “Missional” • TIER 2: Become a Union

Congregation (or Presbytery) • TIER 3: Dismissal into the

Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians

Fellowship Documents

• Fellowship Covenant• Theology Project–The Book of Confessions–The Essential Tenets – Drawn only from Book of Confessions–Theological Practices

Essential TenetsWhile the value and role of the essentials have long been debated; the essentials themselves have not been identified for debate. Recent generations have acknowledged their presence – this is stated clearly in every officer’s ordination questions – and yet simultaneously we have not bothered to locate them. We are impoverished for their absence. We are also too broad. A collection of confessions lends itself to the wisdom of identifying what is essential within them.

Essential TenetsOur theological ideas and inclinations as a church are far too diffuse to unite us. We reject the proposition that theology divides. Instead, we affirm the proposition that truth tends toward unity, yet we are the first generation of Presbyterian officers who do not have in the same ordination question the words truth and unity. Identifying essentials necessarily and rightly focuses our theological conversation and our life together.” (pages 1-2)

Churches / Ministers

• Sign Fellowship Covenant• Affirm Essential Tenets• Commit to Fellowship Networks of Accountability–Narrative on the State of Religion

PC-USA

Mission

ECO is committed to growing and planting flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.

VisionAs 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.

Characteristics

• Defined core theology and behavioral expectations.

• ECO is concerned with ecclesiastical matters and therefore property is not held in trust.

• Voting is done in parity at all levels and only when people are connected with a local congregation.

Characteristics

• Church is redefined. • Elders and deacons can be deployed

for greater ministry • Emphasis on the role of members as

covenant partners • Greater local flexibility – Deacons,

Elders and Pastors

Characteristics

• Presbyteries also have greater freedom

• Missional Affinity Network • Accountability, support, and

encouragement• Flatter structure with an emphasis on

God’s work within the local congregation

Specifics

• Polity and Discipline Document• Member churches of ECO will

contribute 1% of Annual Budget to its mission

• ECO has a Medical Plan • ECO has a Retirement/Pension plan

Team Stockton

A Time for Prayer