Breakaway Presbyterian Group Passes 100-Church Membership Mark

Two years ago, a conservative network of Presbyterian churches broke away from their more liberal peers to form the Evangelical Covenant Order (ECO). According to recent reports in The Christian Post, this new segment of churches have just passed the 100-membership mark. Though considered a major victory by its supporters, the fledgling congregations are still finding their footing. For example, church doctrine and policy are still under discussion. Michael Gryboski writes,

“In January 2012, a group of Presbyterians met in Florida to hammer out the details of a new reformed body for congregations who no longer wanted to be affiliated with Presbyterian Church (USA). Approximately 2,100 clergy and laity met to discuss the matter, driven in part by a recent vote at the PC (USA) General Assembly to allow for the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Organized by the conservative PC (USA) movement the Fellowship of Presbyterians, the conference saw the creation of the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO). The acronym was inspired by the Greek word "oikos", meaning household.”

Though ECO is still dwarfed in size by the PC churches, it has shown considerable growth since 2012.

*Published 1/14/2014