ECO (denomination)

ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Reformed Evangelical
Polity	Presbyterian
Leader	Rev. Dana Allin[1]
Associations	World Communion of Reformed Churches (provisional member)[2]
Headquarters	Santa Barbara, California
Origin	2012
Separated from	Presbyterian Church (USA)
Congregations	311[3]
Members	85,000+[4]
Official website	eco-pres.org

ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians is an evangelical Presbyterian denomination in the United States. As a Presbyterian church, ECO adheres to Reformed theology and Presbyterian polity. It was established in 2012 by former congregations and members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), abbreviated PC(USA). Dissatisfaction with the PC(USA) spiked in 2011 when it decided to allow gay and lesbian clergy to serve in the denomination. This action led to the founding of ECO. As of November 9, 2016, ECO has 311 congregations and 517 pastors,^[5] and more congregations are expecting to move to this denomination from PC(USA).^[6][7]

Name

"ECO" is not an acronym but is part of the denomination's full name according to the denomination.^[8] The name represents ECO's three-fold commitment to make disciples of Jesus Christ (Evangelical), connect leaders through accountable relationships and encourage collaboration (Covenant), and commit to a shared way of life together (Order). The name "ECO" also speaks to the commitment to "strengthen the 'ecosystems' of local churches" by providing the environment and resources to produce healthy churches.^[9]

History

Plans for establishing what would become ECO were initiated in January 2012 by the Fellowship of Presbyterians (now The Fellowship Community), an umbrella organization of theologically conservative Presbyterians in the Presbyterian Church (USA).^[10][11] ECO was conceived of as an alternative to the Presbyterian Church (USA), which theologically conservative Presbyterians considered too liberal. In particular, the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s decision to lift its ban on non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy in 2011 led a number of congregations to search for an alternative Presbyterian denomination. While other conservative Presbyterian churches in the United States existed, most of these, with the exception of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, did not permit female clergy.^[12] According to denominational website, ECO has 311 congregations and 517 pastors (as of November 2016).^[13]

Beliefs

Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas

The beliefs of ECO are expressed in a statement of Essential Tenets.^[14] The Essential Tenets affirm that the Old and New Testaments are infallible and authoritative, containing everything necessary for faith and life.^[15] In common with other Christians, ECO believes in the doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation—the "two central Christian mysteries"—and that the only hope of salvation and adoption as children of God is God's grace in Jesus Christ.^[16] Reflecting its Reformed heritage, ECO believes that, as a consequence of the Fall of Man, humans lost free will and are incapable of turning towards God. Salvation is only made possible by the irresistible grace of God, who chose the elect before the world was created.^[17]

The Essential Tenets explain that within the church God's grace is received through the preaching of the Word of God, the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and church discipline.^[18] ECO practices open communion.^[19] The offices of teaching elder, deacon, and ruling elder correspond to Christ's three-fold office of prophet, priest, and king. Because it believes that both heterosexual and cisgender men and women are called to all ministries in the church, ECO ordains women. Ordained men and women can be celibate or not celibate depending on their circumstances. Single people are celibate by default. Married people can be celibate or non-celibate as long as both parties accept the arrangement. (It does not ordain non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy; celibate gays and lesbians are welcome.) It also believes that all church members are to embody the three-fold offices in their daily lives by sharing and enacting the Gospel and extending the lordship of Jesus Christ.^[20] According to the Essential Tenets, progressive sanctification is an expected characteristic of a Christian life. This includes a life of prayer, regular self-examination (especially guided by the Ten Commandments), and sincere confession of sin.^[21]

While ECO recognizes the Bible as the primary authority governing matters of faith and doctrine, the Essential Tenets affirm the Book of Confessions (editions prior to the revision of the Heidelberg Catechism) as a faithful explanation of scriptural truth and a subordinate standard of doctrine.^[22] The Book of Confessions , inherited from the Presbyterian Church (USA), includes the following creeds, confessions, and catechisms:^[23]

• Nicene Creed
• Apostles' Creed
• Scots Confession
• Heidelberg Catechism
• Second Helvetic Confession
• Westminster Confession of Faith with the Shorter and Larger Catechisms
• Barmen Declaration
• Confession of 1967
• A Brief Statement of Faith (written in 1983 for the creation of the Presbyterian Church (USA))

Structure

First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington, designed by Ralph Adams Cram and completed in 1925

ECO follows presbyterian polity. A synod is the chief decision making body of the denomination.^[24] Congregations are organized into 14 geographical presbyteries:^[25]

• Presbytery of the Northeast (eastern Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic states and New England)
• East Central Presbytery (Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina)
• Presbytery of Florida
• Great Lakes Presbytery (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin)
• Presbytery of Texas and Louisiana
• Presbytery of the West (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri)
• Presbytery of Northern California (also includes Hawaii)
• Presbytery of the Northwest (Oregon and Washington)
• Presbytery of Southern California
• Presbytery of Alaska
• Presbytery of the South (Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina)
• Presbytery of the Rivers of Life (western Pennsylvania)
• Upper Midwest Presbytery (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa).^[26]

Statistics

As of June 20, 2014 ECO had in California 24 churches, and Pennsylvania 23 churches. These 2 states have the highest ECO church membership rate, followed by Washington (12), Florida (11), Colorado and Texas (8), and Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alaska (6). ECO is also present in Oregon (5), Virginia (4), Ohio (3), Kentucky and New Jersey (2), and Minnesota, North Dakota, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Alabama (1).^[27] As of November 9, 2016 there are 311 congregations and 517 pastors that are a part of ECO.^[28]

Notable congregations

• Christ Presbyterian Church (Edina, Minnesota)
• First Presbyterian Church (Mount Holly, New Jersey)
• First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma, Washington)
• Highland Park Presbyterian Church (Dallas, Texas)
• Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (Menlo Park, California)
• First Presbyterian Church (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)

References

External links

• Official website
• Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
• Disaffected Presbyterians Announce New Evangelical Body
• Conservative Presbyterians in U.S. Launch New Denomination