Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians

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Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
ECO Logo.jpg
Classification Protestant
Orientation Reformed Evangelical
Polity Presbyterian
Leader Rev. Dana Allin[1]
Origin 2012
Separated from Presbyterian Church (USA)
Congregations 51
Members 18,560
Official website www.fellowship-pres.org/evangelical-covenant-order/
Not to be confused with Evangelical Covenant Church.

The Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) is a newly formed church body, launched at a Covenanting Conference in January 2012 in Orlando, Florida, attended by more than 2,000 persons from 765 Presbyterian congregations. ECO has adopted a Presbyterian form of church government and affirms Reformed theology. Formed by some member churches of The Fellowship of Presbyterians, it is composed of former congregations of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The mission of ECO is to grow and plant flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.[2]

Contents

Theological distinctives [edit]

This new Reformed denomination affirms a statement of "Essential Tenets" based on the Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA). [3] These "Tenets" include the doctrine of the Infalliblity of Scripture, the doctrine of the Trinity, the doctrine of the incarnation, the doctrine of election, a general ecclesiology, and a statement about obedient living. The naming of the denomination 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 the commitment to "strengthen the “ecosystems” of local churches, providing the resources needed to grow, thrive, and reproduce." [4][5]

Confessions [edit]

The ECO adopted 11 confessions and cathecism from the PC(USA) Book of Church Order including the Barmen declaration and the Confession of 1967.

The appropriate confessional standards for the ECO are the creeds, confessions, catechism in the Book of Church Order:

  • The Nicene Creed
  • The Apostoles' Creed
  • The Scots Confession
  • Heidelberg Cathecism
  • Second Helvetic Confession
  • Westminster Confession of Faith, Shorter and Larger Cathecism
  • Barmen Declaration
  • Confession of 1967
  • A Brief Statement of Faith

www.fellowship-pres.org [1]

Polity [edit]

The denomination's polity is reflected in a brief document,[6] akin to the Book of Order of the PC(USA). ECO's first national Synod gathering occurred Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2013 in Orlando Florida with almost 1,200 people in attendance.

References [edit]

  1. ^ De Guzman, Zaimarie, Fort Pierce pastor to head new Evangelical Covenant Order, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, May 26, 2012, accessed May 27, 2012.
  2. ^ http://www.fellowship-pres.org/eco/
  3. ^ http://fellowshippres.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Theology10.pdf
  4. ^ http://www.fellowship-pres.org/eco/
  5. ^ http://www.fellowship-pres.org/wp-content/uploads/Evangelical-Covenant-Order1.pdf
  6. ^ http://fellowshippres.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Polity3.pdf

External links [edit]

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