Hello ECO Community! Hope you enjoy this month's newsletter! Make sure not to miss the end! Click on the blue link at the very bottom of this email that says "View entire message"!
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A message from Dana Allin, Synod Executive
A key focus for us has been on developing the next generation of pastors who lead and plant churches in ECO. I love a good venn diagram (who doesn’t?) and have always believed that there are three important elements that need to overlap, working in concert with one another, in order to develop these pastors.
These three elements are:
- A robust theological education that not only equips people with the needed head knowledge, but the ability to apply that knowledge in contextual situations.
- A dynamic ordination process that supports and cares for candidates while ensuring that they possess the knowledge, spiritual maturity, ministry skills and leadership acumen needed for the future.
- Practical ministry experience under an invested mentor to put learning into practice and engage in theologically reflective ministry.
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While we have been working on the first two elements, we haven’t put as much attention on helping churches to develop robust practical ministry experiences. We know that some churches have already made commitments to investing in effective internship programs and we want to learn from and partner with these churches.
We are pleased that through a generous grant, we are able to focus energy on developing resources and processes to help churches of all sizes who wish to invest in those who want to engage in practical mentored ministry experience. Through this grant, we will be able to not only develop, study, and enhance the effectiveness of these resources and processes.
In order to move ahead with all of these exciting initiatives, I am pleased to announce that Lisa Johnson’s current position in ECO will shift and effective January 2022, she will become our Executive Director of Leadership Formation. Lisa began as our Director of Lay Leadership Development in 2017, and in that role developed many beneficial resources, including our Commissioned Lay Pastor certification processes. She then became the Director of Leadership Development and oversaw the creation and delivery of the new ordination process. We are thrilled to now have her move into an executive role within our denomination. She will continue to oversee many aspects of ECO’s leadership development, but will place special attention on developing mentored ministry experiences. I am personally thankful for the fruitful work Lisa has invested in over the years, as well as her commitment and ability to ensure that we are developing fully formed leaders when it comes to the head, heart, and hands in ministry.
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A couple of months ago, I mentioned that there were several exciting things ahead in ECO’s future. We have brought Luke Parker on our team to serve in the area of church planting. We have Mark Patterson leading the effort to create Flourish Institute: School of Ministry, and now Lisa Johnson moving into her new role. I believe we are poised and ready to participate with the Lord in a deeper and fuller way as we move into a future of continuing to build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.
I pray that this season of Advent, as we anticipate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is a powerful time for you personally, for your congregations, and for those who are searching for meaning and understanding in a world that is so confusing and difficult. I also pray that the Lord is preparing each one of us for what He wants to do in us and through us as His agents in our communities and throughout the world.
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Our 2022 ECO National Gathering is only 2 months away! We are so excited to see all of you in Dallas Jan 31- Feb 3. We have amazing keynote speakers, pre-conferences, breakouts, worship, fellowship, and lots of fun planned. Can’t attend in person? Join us online with the digital access pass. Find all of the details and registration info here: www.econationalgathering.org.
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Get to know our keynote speakers! |
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ECO’s seminary project is proceeding wonderfully with the last few months seeing significant steps forward. I have had the privilege of traveling to several presbyteries to talk about the Flourish Institute and the reasons we are pursuing this huge venture. We are all tremendously excited and grateful for the positive comments, support, and ideas shared with us.
Our courses created in conjunction with Gordon-Conwell Seminary continue to run with good attendance. We currently have about 40 students enrolled in the various paths and will be offering four of our regular twelve classes in the Spring of 2022. In addition to these we will be offering a special new course that will form an important part of our education process and training of church leaders. This course will be “experimental” with hand-picked students who will be able to help us evaluate its success and methods. More news about this soon!
All of this might best be seen as a “soft-opening“ leading up to our full start in the Fall of 2022. Our class offerings will double to ten in the Fall and then to eleven in the Spring of 2023. It takes a tremendous amount of work to develop a course: a teacher or teachers need to be recruited, course plans and goals developed, syllabus created, and then roughly 30-36 twenty-minute videos recorded, edited, and placed online. But we are well on track to have everything ready by next Fall’s grand-opening.
We are preparing a major upgrade to our website so that information on all we are doing will be more readily available. For now please check out the Flourish Institute here for more information and updates on our progress.
We appreciate your support and prayers! We are all grateful for the encouragement we have received from individuals, churches, and presbyteries. We look forward to telling you more!
God bless,
Mark Patterson
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TEXAS PRESBYTERIAN FOUNDATION |
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TPF and ECO are ready to help
you inspire your congregation!
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To help you extend your impact on mission, we are offering both a print and a digital insert this year to help you encourage others to leave a lasting legacy of love. |
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The end of 2021 is quickly approaching, and with it comes the perfect time to remind your congregation about the tax savings that come with gifts they make to your church. To assist you in these efforts, TPF and ECO are pleased to offer, at no cost to you, a new PRINT and a new DIGITAL bulletin insert designed to inspire generosity during this special season. |
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Or, if you prefer not to use the Internet for ordering or you have any questions,
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We give gifts this time of year to celebrate the gift that God has so generously given to us in sending his Son born in Bethlehem long ago. And this gift was not just for us, but for the world! As you and your church consider year-end giving, I urge you to prayerfully consider supporting ministries that extend the gospel beyond our own communities. Here are just a few giving opportunities with ECO’s partner organizations. |
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If you could use support or encouragement guiding your church’s giving toward global mission, please reach out to our Director of Global Engagement, Jen Haddox at jen@eco-pres.org.
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If you are an author of a book that edifies the church and are a part of ECO, you have the opportunity to display your book at the National Gathering! Contact Greg Wagenfuhr, Theology Coordinator: greg@eco-pres.org for more info.
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ECO’s Standing Theology Committee is recruiting its next class for a term of four years. If you are interested in helping ECO flourish theologically, contact Greg Wagenfuhr, ECO’s Theology Coordinator for more information and an application: greg@eco-pres.org.
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NEW COHORTS, WEBINARS, AND RESOURCES! |
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Dr. Mark DeYmaz is hosting a FREE WEBINAR on December 7th @ 4PM (CT).
He will share the latest insights on how you can generate multiple streams of income to further your mission and bless your community.
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Coach Training at the 2022 National Gathering for ECO Pastors, Presbytery Leaders, Elders and Certified Transitional Pastors
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Having a coach can be a powerful asset in ministry and discipleship. Because of our commitment to equip leaders and provide resources that nurture flourishing ministry within ECO, we will offer a 2-day Coach Training certification process after the 2022 National Gathering. Our training is in partnership with CoachNet International.
More and more, pastors and leaders recognize the value of a quality coach to equip them to cultivate skills, lead staff, mentor young leaders, mobilize volunteers and teams more strategically, and improve as a counselor. This training helps develop and deploy your coaching as a leader in all areas of your life, both personally and professionally.
Coach Training is a worthwhile investment at any level of ministry. Some of you have begun the process with us some time ago, for some of you this may be something new for 2022! Come learn more about how to encourage others in what God is doing in the lives of those around you through the ministry of coaching.
Thursday, Feb. 3rd 1pm - 5:30 (after the National Gathering ends)
& Friday, Feb. 4th 9am - 4pm
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ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians | eco-pres.org
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