Disaffected Presbyterians Announce New Evangelical Body

Presbyterians discontent with what they view as an abandonment of Scripture in the PC(USA) announced Thursday that they are launching their own Reformed body.

Calling it the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, the group presented the body not as an "alternative" but rather as a structure that "enables ministry," Layman.org quoted Dr. John Ortberg, pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, as saying.

"Every organism lives in a larger system. A healthy ecosystem filters out toxins so that organisms can thrive," Ortberg said at a conference of The Fellowship of Presbyterians – the group launching ECO. "The goal is to build a spiritual ecosystem that in turn builds flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ."

More than 2,000 Presbyterians gathered in Orlando this week to provide support for congregations discontent with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and to officially launch the new church body.

Attendees are weighing whether to join the ECO or remain a faithful witness in the PC(USA).

"We are not angry, we are determined," said ECO President John Crosby, according to Presbyterian News Service. "We are not 'after' or 'against' them."

Ortberg also noted that they want to "honor, not dishonor, our brothers and sisters in the PC(USA)."To read more, click here.