ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical

Presbyterians
ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians is an
evangelical Presbyterian denomination in the United States. As a ECO: A Covenant Order of
Presbyterian church, ECO adheres to Reformed theology and Evangelical Presbyterians
Presbyterian polity. It was established in 2012 by former
congregations and members of the Presbyterian Church (USA),
abbreviated PC(USA). Denominational disputes over theology—
particularly ordination of practicing homosexuals as pastors and
gay marriage—and bureaucracy led to the founding of
ECO.[6][7][8][9] In 2018, ECO has over 383 congregations,
103,425 covenant partners (church members) and over 500
Classification Protestant
pastors.[4][5] ECO churches are egalitarian in beliefs and ordain
women as pastors and elders. Orientation Reformed
Evangelical

Name Polity Presbyterian

Synod Executive Dana Allin[1]
The acronym "ECO" came from its original denominational Associations
name, which was the Evangelical Covenant Order of World
Presbyterians.[10] Because the nickname stuck, the denomination Communion
kept it and repurposed it to represent ECO's three-fold of Reformed
commitment to make disciples of Jesus Christ (Evangelical), Churches[2]
connect leaders through accountable relationships and encourage
National
collaboration (Covenant), and commit to a shared way of life
together (Order). The name "ECO" also speaks to the Association of
commitment to "strengthen the 'ecosystems' of local churches" Evangelicals[3]
by providing the environment and resources to produce healthy Headquarters Irving, Texas
churches.[6]
Origin 2012
Separated from Presbyterian
History Church (USA)

ECO first grew out of discussions that took place in 2010 among Congregations 383
pastors of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who were concerned congregations[4][5]
about the denomination's theological disputes they believed were Members 129,765[4]
distractions from the church's primary calling to spread the
Ministers 500[5]
gospel.[6] PC(USA) had faced controversy for years over its
liberal theology and disputes over the authority of the Bible. In Official website eco-pres.org (htt
2008, its General Assembly proposed allowing the ordination of p://eco-pres.org)
partnered LGBT clergy. This proposal was adopted in 2011, but
it was opposed by some evangelical Presbyterians.[11]

In February 2011, a group of pastors issued a white paper that declared the PC(USA) "deathly ill" and
called for a new approach.[12] In August, the Fellowship of Presbyterians was formed as an umbrella
organization of evangelicals in the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Fellowship initiated plans for ECO in
response to interest from pastors and congregations for a new Presbyterian denomination. ECO was created
to accommodate conservative Presbyterians that permitted the ordination of women. While other
conservative Presbyterian churches in the United States existed, most of these did not permit female clergy
with the exception of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, to which most of the PC(USA) presbyteries
would not release the departing congregations to leave with their church properties due to the fact that the
EPC did not mandate female clergy regarding it as non-essential.[13][14][15]

ECO was officially launched in January 2012 at a conference in Orlando, Florida.[6] It began accepting
member congregations in April.[12] In the five years between 2012 and 2017, 303 churches and 121,000
people left the PC(USA) to join ECO.[16]

Beliefs

Essential Tenets

The beliefs of ECO are expressed in a statement of

Essential Tenets. These are part of ECO's constitution
and is the denomination's binding theological
document.[17]

The Essential Tenets affirm that the Old and New

Testaments are infallible and authoritative, containing
everything necessary for faith and life.[18] 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 Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas,
in Jesus Christ.[19] Reflecting its Reformed heritage, Texas
ECO believes that, as a consequence of the Fall of Man,
humans lost free will and are incapable of turning
towards God. Salvation is made possible by only the irresistible grace of God, who chose the elect before
the world was created.[20]

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.[21] 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 men and women are called to all ministries in the
church, ECO ordains women. 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.[22] 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. According to the Essential Tenets, Christians are to maintain lives of chastity either
through celibacy or marriage between a man and a woman.[23]

Confessions

The Essential Tenets affirm a number of creeds, confessions and catechisms inherited from the Reformed
tradition. These confessions are considered a faithful explanation of scriptural truth and a subordinate
standard of doctrine to the Bible.[24] When ECO was organized, its churches continued using the Book of
Confessions inherited from the Presbyterian Church (USA). In May 2017, ECO's Theological Task Force
released its own edition of the Book of Confessions, which was identical to PC(USA)'s except for the
inclusion of new introductions written by members of ECO and the use of a different translation of the
Heidelberg Catechism.[25] Between 2016 and 2018, a process of confessional revision concluded with the
adoption of the Confessional Standards, which replaced the Book of Confessions. It includes the following
doctrinal standards:[17]

Nicene Creed
Apostles' Creed
Heidelberg Catechism
Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Westminster Larger Catechism
Barmen Declaration

Several confessions found in the Book of Confessions were not included in the new Confessional
Standards. These include:[17]

Scots Confession
Second Helvetic Confession
Confession of 1967
Brief Statement of Faith

This seems to indicate that the denomination is no longer espousing the Neo-Orthodoxy or the Barthian
theology of the Confession of 1967 and the radical feminism enshrined in the Brief Statement of Faith,
which became the foundations of the LGBTQ movements in the PC(USA), in their new Confessional
Standards.[26]

Practices

ECO believes that baptism joins an individual to the Christian Church. It practices infant baptism and
recognizes the validity of all Christian baptisms. It practices open communion for all "who put their trust in
Jesus Christ".[27] Full members, or " covenant partners", are able to vote in congregational meetings and
hold leadership roles. To become a covenant partner, a person must make a public profession of faith in
Jesus Christ as savior and lord.[28]

ECO recognizes three ordained offices: pastor, elder and deacon. Ordained officers vow to "receive, adopt,
and be bound by the Essential Tenets" and to be guided by the Confessional Standards. Ordination is
performed by prayer and the laying on of hands.[29]

Structure
ECO follows presbyterian polity. Each congregation is governed by a session of elders elected by the
members. The session also includes the pastor, who chairs or "moderates" session meetings.[30]
Congregations are organized into presbyteries, which exist to provide oversight and support to
congregations and pastors. The members of a presbytery are its congregations (represented by elders called
"commissioners") and pastors. ECO presbyteries typically range in size from 10 to 20 congregations.[31]
There are 22 geographical presbyteries:[32]

East Central Presbytery (Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland)

 Presbytery of Florida
Great Lakes Presbytery (Michigan, Ohio)
Presbytery of Texas (Texas, Louisiana)
Presbytery of the West (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming,
Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico)
Presbytery of Northern California
Presbytery of the Northwest (Oregon and Washington)
Presbytery of Southern California
First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma,
Presbytery of Alaska Washington, designed by Ralph
Presbytery of the South (Tennessee, Mississippi, Adams Cram and completed in 1925
Alabama, Georgia)
Presbytery of the Rivers of Life (western Pennsylvania)
Upper Midwest Presbytery (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa).
Bluewater Presbytery (Hawaii and parts of California)
Mission Presbytery (parts of California)
Presbytery of Mid America (Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas)
Heritage Presbytery (Delaware, New Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania)
Cornerstone Presbytery (New York, Northeast Pennsylvania)
Northeast Coast Presbytery
Presbytery of North Carolina
Hope Presbytery (Arizona)
Presbytery of the Harvest (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin)
Presbytery of South Carolina

The synod is the chief decision-making body of the denomination. Synod commissioners are elected by the
presbyteries and include both elders and ordained pastors. The synod elects an executive council, which
has power to organize presbyteries, settle disputes between them and manage the ongoing operations of the
denomination.[33]

Statistics

In 2018, there are over 383 congregations, 129,765 members and 500 pastors affiliated with ECO.[4][5]

Notable congregations
Austin Korean Presbyterian Church (Austin, Texas)
Binnerri Presbyterian Church (Dallas, Texas)
Christ Presbyterian Church (Edina, Minnesota)
First Presbyterian Church (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
First Presbyterian Church (Carson City, Nevada)
First Presbyterian Church (Mount Holly, New Jersey)
First Presbyterian Church (Corpus Christi, Texas)
First Presbyterian Church (Houston, Texas)
First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma, Washington)
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (Chino Hills, California)
Grace Presbyterian Church (Houston, Texas)
 Highland Park Presbyterian Church (Dallas, Texas) Year Churches Membership
Menlo Church (San Francisco Bay Area, California) 2012 49 20,000[34]
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (Houston, Texas)
2013 --- --,---
Park Road Presbyterian Church (Wyomissing, Pennsylvania)
Pilgrim Mission Church (Teanec, New Jersey) 2014 77[35] --,---
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (Newport Beach, 2015 235 80,000[35]
California)
Tacoma Central Presbyterian Church (Tacoma, Washington) 2016 297 115,000[36]
Grace Presbyterian Church, ECO (Columbus, Georgia) 2017 303 121,000[37]

2018 383 129,765[38]

Citations 2019 --- ---,---
1. "ECO Staff" (https://www.eco-pres.org/eco-staff/). eco- 2020 391[39] ---,---
pres.org. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
2021 TBD TBD
2. "Members" (http://wcrc.ch/members#north_america).
World Communion of Reformed Churches. Retrieved
March 1, 2018.
3. "Denominations" (https://www.nae.net/denominations/).
nae.net. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
4. Allin, Dana (September 30, 2019). "One Measure of a
Flourishing Church: Our Mutual Spurring" (https://eco-pr
es.org/one-measure-of-a-flourishing-church-our-mutual-s
purring/). eco-pres.org/. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
5. "Membership" (http://www.eco-pres.org/membership/).
eco-pres.org. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
6. "About ECO – Our Story" (https://www.eco-pres.org/who-
we-are/our-story/). eco-pres.org. Archived (https://web.ar
chive.org/web/20200223205534/https://www.eco-pres.or
g/our-story/) from the original on February 23, 2020.
Retrieved March 1, 2019.
First Presbyterian Church, Houston,
7. Gryboski, Michael (July 18, 2016). "PCUSA's Eighth-
Texas
Largest Member Church Votes to Leave and Join
Conservative Denomination" (https://www.christianpost.c
om/news/pcusas-eighth-largest-member-church-votes-le
ave-join-conservative-presbyterian-denomination-16663
8/). The Christian Post. Archived (https://web.archive.org/
web/20161106185221/https://www.christianpost.com/ne
ws/pcusas-eighth-largest-member-church-votes-leave-jo
in-conservative-presbyterian-denomination-166638/)
from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved
March 1, 2019.
8. "ECO, the New Anti-Gay Presbyterian Denomination:
Cowardly Lions" (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnsh
ore/2012/01/new-anti-gay-presbyterian-denomination-co
wardly-lions/). 20 January 2012.
9. Liston, Barbara (19 January 2012). "Presbyterian group
breaks away over gay clergy" (https://www.reuters.com/a
rticle/us-usa-presbyterian-gay/presbyterian-group-breaks
-away-over-gay-clergy-idUSTRE80I2CD20120119).
Reuters.
10. Burke, Daniel (20 January 2012). "Evangelical Covenant Order Of Presbyterians (ECO),
Conservative Denomination Launched To Break Away From PCUSA" (https://www.huffpost.
com/entry/evangelical-covenant-order-presbyterians_n_1220231). The Huffington Post.
Religion News Service. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
11. Kwon, Lillian (January 20, 2012). "Disaffected Presbyterians Announce New Evangelical
Body" (https://www.christianpost.com/news/disaffected-presbyterians-announce-new-evang
elical-body-67638/). The Christian Post. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2016030321
5602/https://www.christianpost.com/news/disaffected-presbyterians-announce-new-evangeli
cal-body-67638/) from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
12. Scanlon, Leslie (June 2, 2014). "Fellowship, Presbyterians for Renewal Plan Merger That
Would Offer a New Home to Evangelicals" (http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/6/2/fellowship-
presbyterians-renewal-plan-merger-would/). pcusa.org. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20190123041837/http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/6/2/fellowship-presbyterians-renewal-p
lan-merger-would/) from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
13. Burke, Daniel (January 21, 2012). "Conservative Presbyterians in U.S. Launch New
Denomination" (https://pres-outlook.org/2012/01/conservative-presbyterians-in-us-launch-ne
w-denomination/). The Presbyterian Outlook. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2017090
7233334/https://pres-outlook.org/2012/01/conservative-presbyterians-in-us-launch-new-den
omination/) from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
14. "The PC(USA) and Church Property" (http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/pcus
aproperty.htm).
15. "Presbytery dismisses congregation to EPC and creates 'continuing' PCUSA church;
property issue unresolved" (https://layman.org/newse51b/).
16. Van Marter, Jerry (October 16, 2017). "PC(USA) Leaders Report on Talks with ECO" (https://
www.pcusa.org/news/2017/10/16/pcusa-leaders-report-talks-eco/). pcusa.org. Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20190123145549/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2017/10/16/pcusa-le
aders-report-talks-eco/) from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
17. Confessional Standards, p. 2.
18. ECO Constitution, p. 2.
19. ECO Constitution, p. 3–5.
20. ECO Constitution, p. 5.
21. ECO Constitution, p. 6.
22. ECO Constitution, p. 7.
23. ECO Constitution, p. 8.
24. ECO Constitution, p. 3.
25. ECO Book of Confessions, p. 3.
26. (PDF)
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58d5cdabe58c627d57e31c71/t/59cdf24b49fc2b0a0cb
bcfb8/1506669132366/Proposed+Amendment+to+ECO+Book+of+Confessions+%282%29+
from+B+Johnson.pdf (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58d5cdabe58c627d57e31c71/t/
59cdf24b49fc2b0a0cbbcfb8/1506669132366/Proposed+Amendment+to+ECO+Book+of+Co
nfessions+%282%29+from+B+Johnson.pdf). {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title=
(help)
27. ECO Constitution, p. 12.
28. ECO Constitution, p. 13.
29. ECO Constitution, pp. 17–19.
30. ECO Constitution, p. 15.
31. ECO Constitution, p. 23.
32. "Presbyteries" (https://www.eco-pres.org/presbyteries/). eco-pres.org. Retrieved March 1,
2019.
33. ECO Constitution, p. 26.
34. "EPC, ECO continue to see increase in numbers" (https://layman.org/epc-eco-continue-to-se
e-increase-in-numbers/).
35. "Three Presbyterian Denominations Experience Growth in the Number of Churches in 2014"
(https://theaquilareport.com/three-presbyterian-denominations-experience-growth-in-the-nu
mber-of-churches-in-2014/). 16 June 2015.
36. "Three Presbyterian denominations continue to grow" (https://layman.org/three-presbyterian-
denominations-continued-grow/).
37. "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - PC(USA) leaders report on talks with ECO" (https://www.pcu
sa.org/news/2017/10/16/pcusa-leaders-report-talks-eco/). 16 October 2017.
38. https://eco-pres.org/one-measure-of-a-flourishing-church-our-mutual-spurring/ (https://eco-pr
es.org/one-measure-of-a-flourishing-church-our-mutual-spurring/). {{cite web}}: Missing
or empty |title= (help)
39. "FAQ's" (https://eco-pres.org/faqs/).

References
Confessional Standards of ECO (https://www.eco-pres.org/static/media/uploads/confesstds.
online.07.08.19.pdf) (PDF). ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. 2018.
ECO Book of Confessions (https://www.eco-pres.org/static/media/uploads/resources/print_v
erision_boc_may_2017.pdf) (PDF). ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.
2017. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190303032134/https://www.eco-pres.org/stati
c/media/uploads/resources/print_verision_boc_may_2017.pdf) (PDF) from the original on
March 3, 2019.
ECO Constitution: Essential Tenets, Polity, and Rules of Discipline (https://www.eco-pres.or
g/static/media/uploads/eco_constitution_online12.11.18.pdf) (PDF). ECO: A Covenant Order
of Evangelical Presbyterians. 2018.

External links
Calvinism portal

Official website (http://eco-pres.org)

Disaffected Presbyterians Announce New Evangelical Body (http://www.christianpost.com/n
ews/disaffected-presbyterians-announce-new-evangelical-body-67638/)

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