PCUSA ECO Fellowship Community

---

PC(USA) and ECO (Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians) Comparison Chart for FPC Marietta Both the PCUSA and ECO have produced outlines that compare themselves to one other. After researching both groups, we have chosen not to use either of their comparisons in its entirety, but use both as references and guides. When possible we quote directly from statements and resources of each group.

When did the denomination come into existence in its current form? Size

PCUSA

ECO

Fellowship Community

1983

2012

2012

Currently has between 9,700 - 10,000 congregations. In the past decade the denomination has dissolved or dismissed over 1,000 churches (9%) and lost 27% of its membership. The median size of a PCUSA church is 87 members and 55% have fewer than 100 members. There has been a significant decrease in baptisms and the number of young people joining PCUSA churches in recent years. In 2011 the PCUSA reported the median age of its members as 63, compared to the U.S. median age of 37. In 2012 an initiative was introduced for congregations to form 1001 new “worshipping communities” in ten years. (264 “communities have been established since 2012) For more detailed statistics see the expanded report entitled A Demographic Snapshot of the PCUSA

Because it was founded in 2012, there is not a long statistical history. In the year it was launched ECO was comprised of 35 churches. Currently, about 189 churches have joined. ECO leadership states another 400-500 congregations are seeking to transfer from the PCUSA. Congregations outside the PCUSA are also considering ECO. The focus is to create growth by planting new churches, with a goal to plant 200-250 by 2020. Leadership estimates the median size of an ECO church to be 250 members, and the average size to be 450 members.

Initiated in 2012 as the Fellowship of Presbyterians. In 2015 it officially became the Fellowship Community. The Fellowship Community has 210 churches. Individuals may join the Fellowship. Their community—is an “order” within and beyond the PCUSA

1 

PCUSA Mission Statement

ECO

Has not expressly adopted a “To build flourishing churches that denominational mission statement. Some make disciples of Jesus Christ.” agencies within the denomination have produced their own mission statement. Chapter 1 of the Book of Order (Foundations of Presbyterian Polity) addresses the mission of the Universal Church. This includes the Six Great Ends of the Church. (F-1.0304)

Essential Tenets (Foundational Beliefs)

Has affirmatively chosen not to define the essential tenets of the Reformed faith. All officers (Elders, Deacons, and Pastors) are required to affirm that they “sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do.” (BoO W-4.4003) Being guided by the Confessions is required of officers, but not adherence to any particular summary of them. “It is necessary to the integrity and health of the church that the persons who serve it in ordered ministries shall adhere to the essentials of the Reformed faith and polity as expressed in this Constitution.” (BoO G-2.0105)

“Recognizing the danger in reducing the truth of the gospel to propositions that demand assent, we also recognize that when the essentials become a matter primarily of individual discernment and local affirmation, they lose all power to unite us in common mission and ministry.” ECO identifies the following principles as Essential Tenets:  God’s Word: The Authority of Our Confession  The Trinity  The Incarnation  God’s Grace in Christ  Election for Salvation and Service  Covenant Life in the Church  Faithful Stewardship of all of Life  Living in Obedience to the Word of God For the detailed explanation of each Essential Tenet see http://eco-pres.org/ essential-tenets/

2 

Fellowship Community The Fellowship Community is a network of congregations and individuals called together to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by growing in Christ's likeness, living by God's Word, and joining in God's mission in the world.

Same as PCUSA, however, they have adopted “Essential Tenets” which are identical to those adopted by ECO. Acceptance of the Essential Tenets are not in accordance with the Book of Order

PCUSA

ECO

Fellowship Community

Confessions/Creeds

8 Confessions plus 3 catechisms

Same as PCUSA

Same as PCUSA

Salvation/

“The unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the church‘s membership. In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall guarantee full participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership.” (F-1.0403)

Entry into Christ’s Church

“In union with Christ, through the Same as PCUSA power of the Spirit we are brought into right relation with the Father, who receives us as his adopted children irrespective of ethnicity, gender, or cultural/sexual orientation. Jesus Christ is the only Way to this adoption, the sole path by which sinners become children of God, for he is the onlybegotten Son, and it is only in union with him that a believer is able to know God as Father. Only in Jesus Christ is the truth about the Triune God fully and perfectly revealed, for only he is the Truth, only he has seen the Father, and only he can make the Father “The good news of the Gospel is that the known.” (Essential Tenets) triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people.” (F1.01)

Congregations use various forms of Same as PCUSA Worship worship including traditional and Expressions of contemporary. Local Congregations

3 

Same as PCUSA

PCUSA Mission Affinity Groups

ECO

Fellowship Community

Though some congregations informally or through presbyteries partner with other congregations on mission projects (example: SharpTop, MUST Ministries), Mission Affinity Groups are not part of PCUSA structure.

“As a way to connect, care for, and Same as ECO provide accountability for churches and leaders, every ECO congregation is required to be in a Mission Affinity Group (MAG). Each MAG consists of 3 -4 congregations organized around similar ministry contexts (such as Fellowship Community congregations, which geography, demographics, or future are part of the PCUSA, do participate in ministry goals).” Mission Affinity Groups. “Members of MAGs commit to meet at least once a year, for at least three years, and connect in other ways in between meetings. At its Annual Meeting, each congregation in the MAG must have at least 1/3 of its current elders in attendance.” http://eco-pres.org/covenant-relationship/

Mission Connections The Presbyterian Mission Agency is the “As part of ECO’s passion to join in Same as PCUSA ministry and mission agency of the PCUSA. Five ministry areas carry out missional work: Compassion, Peace, and Justice; Evangelism and Church Growth; Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women; Theology, Worship, and Education; and World Mission. Bringing together congregations, worshiping communities, midcouncils, and mission networks, these ministry areas work to inspire, equip, and connect all Presbyterians for the church’s work. Examples of specific Mission Connections include Camp Cherokee, Columbia Theological Seminary, Thornwell Home for Children, Presbyterian Village http://presbyterianmission.org/ministries/ about/

God’s work around the world and support the global Church, we maintain partnerships with three Presbyterian mission agencies.” www.eco/pres.org 

The Outreach Foundation www.theoutreachfoundation.org



The Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship www.pff.net



The Antioch Partners www.theantiochpartners.org

4 

PCUSA

ECO

Fellowship Community

Spiritual Assessment The Session is given the responsibility Uses the Narrative on the Health of Same as PCUSA for “governing the congregation and Mission and Ministry: of Congregations guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness (BoO G-3.0201). Presbyteries require annual statistical reports on membership gains and losses (e.g., baptisms, deaths and budget). Although no mandatory structure is defined through PCUSA, often the Presbytery Committee on Ministry (COM) assigns representatives to serve as a liaison between churches/pastors and the COM. Visitation with pastors for support, encouragement, prayer, and accountability, dialogue with sessions to assess the health and spiritual wellness of the congregation, discussion of worship, ministry, and mission, and follow up assessment and accountability are fruitful responsibilities of the COM.

“This contemporary instrument is based in the tradition of North American Presbyterians as recently as the early 20th century. It is designed to be used annually by a Session as a metric for self-evaluation, and then to be the basis for the annual meetings of Mission Affinity Groups (3-4 Congregations whose leaders meet for prayer, accountability, and encouragement in ministry).” The leaders of churches are required to answer 10 questions to assess the spiritual health and vitality of the congregation (http://eco-pres.org/ covenant-relationship/). Examples of questions are:  How has the Holy Spirit been evident in your congregation in the past year, through conversions – growth in the fruit of the Spirit, or other transformational experiences that make disciples of Jesus Christ?  How is your congregation intentionally unleashing the ministries of women, men, and people of different ethnic groups who are experiencing God’s call?  How is the idea of ministry as the joy and calling of every disciple evident in your congregation? How are you equipping people to represent Jesus more effectively in their respective professions? 5 

PCUSA Spiritual Health of Pastors

ECO

Presbyteries are given the responsibility to “maintain mechanisms and processes to serve as pastor and counselor to teaching elders” (Book of Order G3.0307). Formalized Pastor Covenant Groups are not part of the structure.

Fellowship Community

“Pastors are in one of today’s most Same as ECO stressful occupations. According to the New York Times (August 1, 2010), ‘Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension, and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants In addition to the work of the Committee has risen, while their life expectancy has on Ministry, the PCUSA has established fallen. Many would change jobs if they programs which are available for pastors could.’” and support which are holistic in nature, including Active Health (offers health “For churches to flourish, pastors need coaches), First Call program (pastor to be spiritually and relationally healthy. mentoring groups with seasoned Intentional relationships of pastors), CREDO program (8 day accountability are a vital place for sessions with experienced pastors pastors to be prayed for, cared for, and addressing financial, mental, and encouraged in their relationship with emotional health). Jesus Christ. Every ECO pastor is required to be in an accountability relationship.” Pastor Covenant Groups are typically 35 pastors who gather weekly or monthly for prayer, study, guidance, support and to practice spiritual accountability. http://eco-pres.org/covenantrelationship/

6 

Social Policies

PCUSA

ECO

Each General Assembly approves numerous social policy issues that informs and directs the work of the national church. The denomination has an Office of Public Witness in Washington DC that advocates for “the social witness perspectives and policies of the Presbyterian General Assembly.”

Does not have an advocacy office and Same as PCUSA has not approved social policies other than those mentioned in the Essential Tenets. While it is not inconceivable that social policies could be approved at a national level (Synod), the emphatic focus on the ministry of local churches minimizes the likelihood.

Some of the topics on which the General Assembly has approved social policy in the last five years are: U.S. tax code reform; human trafficking; U.S. drug policies; corporal punishment of children; sexual abuse; campaign finance reform; voter suppression; U.S. coastal wetlands; nutrition for children; corporations managing for-profit prisons; death penalty; Environmental Protection Agency; housing/mortgage crisis; gun violence; divestment from three United States companies doing business in Israel-Palestine; divestment and fossil fuel companies; credit card interest rates; climate change; parental leave policies; workers’ rights and income equality; racism and incarceration; U.S. trade reform. For more on PCUSA social witness activity see: https://www.pcusa.org/news/2010/7/6/socialjustice-committee-focuses-aid-wetlands-educ/ https://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/7/6/ general-assembly-adopts-wide-range-socialjustice-/ http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/6/19/ assembly-acts-decisively-gun-violenceabortion-tax/

Social ministry and/or advocacy is likely to take place as local congregations address the needs of their communities.

Fellowship Community

PCUSA

ECO

Ordination of Women

Yes. The belief that women can be Yes. Same as PCUSA ordained into leadership is required to be affirmed by all ordained leaders and congregations.

Marriage

“Between two people” “Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the wellbeing of the entire human family. Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the church and the wider community” (BoO W-4.9001).

Fellowship Community Yes. Same as PCUSA

“Between a man and a woman” unclear Regarding church officers, the Essential Tenets state, “As we practice the discipline of regular self-examination and confession, we are especially guided by the Ten Commandments. We therefore hold one another accountable to:” (reference is made to each commandment; this is the reference to seventh commandment) “maintain chastity in thought and deed, being faithful within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman as Clergy are permitted but not required by established by God at the creation or the PCUSA to perform same gender embracing a celibate life as established marriages where civil law permits. by Jesus in the new covenant” (III.E.7). Sessions are permitted but not required by the PCUSA to allow same gender marriages in churches where civil law permits.

8 

Jurisdiction of Congregations/ Sessions (Original Jurisdiction)

PCUSA

ECO

Fellowship Community

“The presbytery has authority to: assume original jurisdiction in any situation in which it determines that a session cannot exercise its authority. After a thorough investigation, and after full opportunity to be heard has been accorded the session, the presbytery may conclude that the session of a congregation is unable or unwilling to manage wisely its affairs, and may appoint an administrative commission with the full power of session. This commission shall assume original jurisdiction of the existing session, if any, which shall cease to act until such time as the presbytery shall otherwise direct” (BoO G-3.0303e).

The presbytery holds no original Same as PCUSA jurisdiction over sessions or congregations. There are no administrative commissions. (3.0103)

Church Property

The property of the local church is held The local congregation owns its Held in trust for the use and benefit of in trust for the use and benefit of the property and has final say on its use. the PCUSA PCUSA. (BoO G-4.0203-4.4.0207) If FPC Marietta were to invoke the Gracious Dismissal Policy, the cost to leave and the disposition of property are determined by Cherokee Presbytery.

Membership Cost

FPC Marietta gives Cherokee Presbytery 1% of General Budget $70,000 (2014). Due to Cherokee (approximately $25,000 in 2014) Presbytery’s financial position, no funds are forwarded to the General Assembly unless requested.

9 

Same as PCUSA plus $250 per church annually