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Fellowship of Presbyterians
January Conference Summary
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What a Conference it was in Orlando! While it is far too early to assess the historical significance of this event, we who were there know it was good to be with people of similar passions for Jesus Christ and his Church. Worshiping the Lord in a rich variety of styles, hearing God's Word proclaimed from young and old, male and female, Egyptian, Asian, African American, and Caucasian preachers, musicians, and worship leaders, we experienced the joy of like-mindedness with one another and with Christ.
Together as brothers and sisters in Christ, we took significant steps in our new and evolving journey:
• we saw over 270 leaders under the age of 45 come together for dialogue on issues and challenges they face and take initial steps toward building new networks of support and mentoring;
• we identified "essential tenets" and a process for nurturing theological conversations;
• we presented a new polity, introducing exciting possibilities for a new way of relating;
• we began to define a contemporary "Narrative on the State of Religion," guiding congregations toward mutual accountability;
• we launched what amounts to a new denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO);
• we gave further definition to The Fellowship of Presbyterians, the "umbrella" organization which connects people called to stay within the PC(USA) with those who are joining ECO in common practices of discipleship, ministry, and a common order;
• then, as the Conference concluded, we took another significant step as we individually signed the covenant of discipleship that defines The Fellowship of Presbyterians.
We also learned many things in Orlando. Despite our essential tenets finding substantive agreement, we were reminded that we are a rich mix of people with both Evangelical and Reformed accents. Hearing sincere concern, the Board has voted to remove the line in the theology project that reads, "In choosing some, God passes over others" (III.B). While we believe it is a reasonable way of expressing the impact of election, it is too strong a statement for some at this moment. We encourage you to keep reading and discussing the theology project with one another. Theological dialogue takes time, and is an investment well made.
Further, the Board felt we needed to clarify how our essential tenets will work. Earlier this week, the Board passed this examination question:
"Will you receive, adopt, and be bound by these essential tenets, found in the confessions, as theological affirmations necessary to unite us in a like-minded company of believers?"
Finally, because few congregations are yet in a position to definitively state their long-term intentions for affiliation we have a request:
● As your session votes to join The Fellowship of Presbyterians, please notify us of your intention at email@fellowship-pres.org. You will be added to the growing list of Fellowship supporters on the website and receive specially designed information and next steps for involvement and mutual ministry.
● As your session and congregation vote to be dismissed from the PC(USA), contact us at email@fellowship-pres.org to request the application packet for ECO and enter the transition process.
● As your session continues in the discernment process, please complete this survey to let us know what direction and timeframe you are discerning for your congregation. All information is for planning purposes only and will not be shared formally or informally until session, congregation, and presbytery votes are taken.
As we said at the beginning, it is far too early to assess the historical significance of the Orlando Conference, but we who were there know it was an important step in the right direction for hundreds of congregations and tens of thousands of individuals. Share the joy you experienced in Orlando, the hope of the gospel that was articulated, and the vision for a new way of being church together in the opening weeks of 2012, and together we'll discover God powerfully at work among his people.
In Christ,
Jim Singleton,
President, Fellowship of Presbyterians
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