What Is Different About ECO Presbyterian?
”For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (I Corinthians 12:12)
Who is ECO? Sometimes people put it this way, “What is ECO?” ECO stands for a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. In January 2012, ECO began as a denomination. The name ECO is not an acronym. That is, it does not exactly match the letters in our official denomination name. It does signal, as does the word ecology, that the church is a living organism that is nourished and sustained by God. We believe that God wants local congregations to flourish. That is the goal of ECO as a denomination and a movement.
ECO has a number of important values. One is to promote a “livable theology.” We believe that theology reflects the truth of scripture and is also practical. It can be applied and lived out, not just on Sundays, but every day of the week — in our families, our occupations, and our neighborhoods. We are called to live out our faith in the world. This means that we trust in God to such a degree that we can risk new endeavors from which we might otherwise shrink. It also means that we feel compelled to work to influence culture with the gospel because we understand that what happens in society matters.
Leadership is important to ECO. It understands that churches flourish when they have trained and capable leaders. For this reason, ECO constantly looks for ways to develop new leaders, inspire constant improvement, and resource churches. For us as a local congregation, it reminds us of the importance of making disciples, helping people discover their gifts, and freeing people up for meaningful ministry.
The focus of ECO is not at the denominational level but the local one. It understands that the local church is the place where most ministry takes place. The local church is the place that nurtures people and sends them into the world. When local churches are healthy, the denomination is healthy. As the family is the basic unit of society, so the local congregation is the basic and essential unit from which God does his work in the world. For this reason we seek as a congregation to be strong and healthy in order to represent Christ well in our community.
ECO holds tightly to the important biblical tenets of faith and moral practice. One way it does so is through its Essential Tenets. All who serve as pastors and officers in the church must affirm this brief statement of faith. This keeps ECO from the theological and moral drift that has afflicted so many denominations. For this reason, ECO is a safe haven for those who want to hold to biblical beliefs and moral practices.
You are an important part of the life of this congregation. As the apostle Paul reminded us in his letter to the Corinthians, the church is like a body. It has many members. Each has different roles, but each is important. Whatever your role, it is important. Thank you for your involvement and service. You make a difference and make our life stronger.
May God bless us each one, and may he bless our congregation to do his will.