By Dana Allin, the ECO blog.
At ECO’s national gathering in Newport Beach this past January, I led a breakout session called, “In ECO, Now What?” This question often gets asked in a variety of different ways. I will get phone calls or e-mails stating that a congregation has been in ECO (usually for 6 months to a year) and the leaders want their congregation to live more fully into the values and vision that have been articulated. When I am asked these “now what?” questions, I tell congregations that they can do three things if they have not already been done.
Articulate the Vision
First, articulate the vision that God has for your congregation. I think a clear and concrete visual picture of where God is calling your congregation in the future is extremely helpful and provides synergy and focus for the rest of the ministry. However, even if your congregation has not created or formalized this type of vision, perhaps there are at least 1-2 general things that the leadership of the congregation knows they need to improve. Perhaps they want to take steps in a missional direction, be more intergenerational, or move toward church planting. Whatever it is, the congregation needs to be clear in their understanding of the general direction in which they are headed.
Congregation Assessment
Second, the congregation and leadership needs to assess where they are in relation to the articulated vision. Where is the gap between where they are and where they are called to be? A congregation might indicate that they want to be more intergenerational, then evaluate their ministries and approach and realize that their energy is counterproductive toward that future.
Determine Next Steps
Third, a congregation and it’s leadership need to understand what are the appropriate next steps to help them achieve the vision to which God has called them.
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EPC, ECO, PCA. What all have in common is that they are reactionary denominations. In that their initial genesis and energy was derived from a reaction to what ever was going on the mainline liberal church. The typical cycle was a nexus type event which causes an exodus of people and churches. I think as the PCA has found, you can ride that initial energy for a period of time, but eventually you will need to articulate three things for legitimacy. 1. What do you believe in and why? 2. What don’t you affirm and believe in and why? 3. What is your core message to the culture and nation? And keep the message tight and focused.
An example of such may be found in a group that traces its roots back before the mainliners, the Associate Reformed tradition. Which for almost 300 years has been very clear to all with its message and values. Some may find that unattractive or even a bit 16th century. But they make no apologies and do not compromise for the sake of popular culture. The ECO could do allot worse.
As I was reading the theological statement of ECO, I was struck by the various classical designations of Jesus. However, I was unable to find any statement confessing Jesus as Savior. As other Reformed denominations have purposefully included the term “Savior” in their organizing documents, I found the absence of the term notable. Would you (or anyone) be able to direct me to literature from ECO or the Fellowship that includes the term?