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
Dear ECO Family,
One realization for me during COVID is that the focus and ethos of our 2030 vision is even more important than I had initially realized. Our vision emphasizes the importance of investing in vocational and lay leaders who will be able to strengthen and transform existing churches and start new church plants and missional communities.
I am grateful for the churches who used some of their mission dollars, going above and beyond their normal dues, to advance some of the leadership development initiatives in ECO. I am also so thankful for individuals who have, in addition to supporting their local congregation, invested in these initiatives. Even during COVID, we have seen some remarkable progress in many areas because of your support. Thank you! Here are a few examples of where God has been at work:
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We have had 76 candidates go through one or both of our ordination retreats and spiritual formation groups. The feedback is that the retreats are phenomenal, making candidates feel cared for and helping them flourish in ministry.
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We have translated all of our CLP materials into Spanish and are running our first Spanish-speaking CLP cohort with 15 participants.
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We have sent out applications to church plants to apply for an “accelerator” of up to $10,000 to help new initiatives that will aid in the growth and multiplication of church plants.
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We have provided initial training and ongoing support for missional community leaders...and the Lord keeps adding to the number of lay leaders who are developing micro-expressions of church!
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In this coming year, we are asking you and your congregation if you will prayerfully consider supporting the vision of ECO. Last year in our Leadership Development Initiatives we talked about six facets of leadership development. Through your generosity and some specific gifts, we have the funds needed to support current levels for ordination, transformation cohorts, first call pastors, and the support of missional communities. Therefore we are only seeking funding for two initiatives - Flourish Institute: Graduate School of Ministry and church planting. If you feel led to give, you may donate to either initiative specifically or give to both of them generally and we will use the funding in these two areas as needed.
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Flourish Institute: Graduate School of Ministry
In the last year you have heard about ECO’s desire to start a new version of a seminary. We have now begun development and have started to conceptually launch Flourish Institute: Graduate School of Ministry. I like to humbly but boldly say that our goal is to be 1/3 the cost of traditional seminary and three times as effective at training pastors for 21st century ministry. We believe that a new way of doing seminary is vital to raising up effective pastors, fruitful church plants, and cracking the code to better reflect the diversity of our world. You can learn more about the initial plans for the Flourish Institute. (Remember, everything is at the beginning stages and hasn’t gone through the branding and marketing process that will eventually be necessary!)
We are asking for financial support for the Flourish Institute for two reasons. First, we need initial seed money to get it up and running. Through the generous donations of a couple of individuals and ECO churches we have been given the seed money to support the first year of development. We project a five year timeline to self-sufficiency and therefore need another $1,000,000 to bring us to that point.
Second, we seek to offer scholarships. The tuition cost of an M.Div through Flourish Institute will be about $17,500, which is less than 1/3 of the cost of most other M.Divs. Still, we would like to be able to offer scholarships, especially for those who commit to pastoring, planting, or interning in underserved contexts, such as immigrant communities or rural areas. What if we could forgive $4,500 of tuition for every year someone served in contexts such as these? Do you remember when Condoleezza Rice spoke at our 2018 national gathering and said that her grandfather became a Presbyterian pastor because the Presbyterians paid for his education? Our ability to not only pay for a degree but offer high quality training will be a game changer for recruiting and developing the high quality leaders needed for our future.
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Church Planting
Planting has been a huge struggle for us and easily has the biggest gap between our stated desire and the development of thriving church plants. In the last couple of years, thanks to Nate Stratman's work that strengthened the process, and now with full-time focus from Luke Parker, I feel like we are ready to accelerate in this area. We continue to have a number of people, from both within ECO and outside of ECO seek to plant with us. While we believe that financial support for church planting should primarily be through the giving of local churches, the ability to have national grants provides both stimulation and accountability for church plants. Our desire to help church plants with $50,000, on average, of direct and in kind support these include the following:
- Give direct grants for church plants who are in the launch stage. Coach and train for planters in both early and late stages of planting.
- Provide administrative, bookkeeping, and project management support for those plants who don’t have access to these services internally or through a relationship with a local church.
Would you prayerfully consider supporting ECO personally by
filling out the commitment form below?
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Would your church consider the adoption of an additional 1% of your budget in your mission budget to support the vision of ECO?
Imagine...if every church made an additional 1% contribution, we would have the seed money for the seminary, 100 scholarships for the year, and financial and administrative support for 50 church plants!
We are so grateful and humbled by God’s faithfulness as we have pursued what we believe are His plans for these two projects in particular. God continues to put amazing and gifted leaders in our path, as well as enthusiastic supporters and wise counsel to direct us in the vision He has given us. We could not be more thankful. Now, we are thrilled to have you join us on this journey and look forward to celebrating along with you the great things that God does along the way. Thank you for being dedicated to your local church ministry and for supporting ECO. We are grateful for the privilege of coming alongside you so that you and your congregation may flourish!
In Christ,
Dana
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For the Adventurous
- click video below to watch
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For the Cautious
- click video below to watch
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But Seriously...
- click video below to watch
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Also! - We Have ECO Limited Edition Swag! |
In the mood to splurge on some high quality ECO swag? Want to pitch in on a great gift for your pastor or a leader who has workedhard on your team this year? For a limited time only, we are offering just a few items that can be purchased here and picked up at theNational Gathering in Dallas. Check them out!
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Fine print:
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The deadline to order is no later than December 1, 2021.
- Items ordered must be picked up at the National Gathering in Dallas, TX.
- We will not be able to ship any of these items.
- This is a one time offer, so if you see something you like, grab it now!
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FALL ORDINATION REREATS IN PENNSYLVANIA |
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ECO Ordination Candidates Show
Bright Future for Church
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by Lisa Johnson, Director of Leadership Development
A year into our new ordination process, we held our fourth set of ordination retreats on the East Coast, thanks to the hospitality of Narberth Presbyterian Church. We are happy to report that God is mightily and effectively at work in and through our discipleship based ordination process and our candidates. We are witnessing astonishing growth in our candidates who received a personalized map at Retreat #1 and have now come to Retreat #2 exhibiting the fruit of that work. It is so encouraging!
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At the end of each (very agenda-intense) retreat, we sit still together and allow God to speak. We close our time together by sitting in a circle and allowing all of the participants to reflect on how God has met them and challenged them. We then explain the Biblical meaning of anointing and have one or two assessors pull aside candidates one by one to anoint and pray for them in their calling to ordained ministry. |
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At Retreat #1: Mapping Out Your Ordination Journey, which is for candidates who are near the beginning of their ordination journey, we hosted eleven candidates from all over the country who were assessed by eight volunteer assessors (either elders or pastors) from various presbyteries. We also had three volunteer retreat pastors present to care spiritually and emotionally for the candidates and lead their spiritual formation groups. Each candidate leaves the retreat with a personalized map that lists for them the things they need to accomplish before taking their ordination exams and moving onto Retreat #2: Final Assessment. These “maps” are based on a multi-faceted assessment of each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses in the four Desired Ordination Outcomes. (1. Integrated Biblically and Theologically, 2. Proficient in Ministry, 3. Skilled in Leadership and 4. Healthy Spiritually and Emotionally)... |
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Has your church completed Becoming a Flourishing Church ?
If so - we have some exciting news for you!
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We want to help you flourish! We have some new tools to help you flourish! The Becoming a Flourishing Church resource will help your church refocus its energy, health, and vitality. |
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Introducing the:
Becoming a Flourish Church Health Checkup
This new version is meant for a church who has used the resource in the past and needs a shorter check-up. If you have already completed this resource in the past, please consider using this checkup as part of an annual process. If your church has yet to engage with Becoming a Flourishing Church please consider using the full resource (6 sessions) with your session and congregation in 2022.
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What is the BAFC Health Checkup? |
The Becoming a Flourishing Church Health Checkup includes three selected sessions that includes all of the materials needed for the health checkup process.
These can be completed as 3 separate meetings (60-90 minutes each) or during one Leadership Retreat (at least 4-6 hours).
We suggest that like an annual medical physical, your leadership team does an annual BAFC Health Checkup. The first year checkup (as described in the flyer below) is more comprehensive than the following year, which will entail the leadership team/session simply uncovering the “Flourishing Church Plan” and assessing. If necessary, refocusing will take place (then repeat this pattern!).
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Want more details?
View the flyer below
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Ready to get started with your health checkup?
Access your Becoming A Flourishing Church e-course here and then click on the tab, "Annual Health Checkup". |
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Haven't taken Becoming A Flourishing Church course yet?
The course is an amazing resource for any church who wants to refocus its energy, health, and vitality. Click the button below to learn more!
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ECO CHURCHES - FLOURISHING STORIES |
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First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio Celebrates 175 Years!
It was 1846 when John McCullough, a Princeton-educated minister from Pennsylvania, came to San Antonio and saw what he described as “a miserable, dilapidated place.” What followed was 175 years of mission-based ministering to a territorial outpost at the edge of the western frontier, growing into the world-class city we know today.
On Sunday, October 18 First Presbyterian marked this anniversary with a special commemorative service and celebration, featuring special guest speaker Dr. Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO of the Reformed Theological Seminary.
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“This is such a landmark honor for me and everyone involved in this church,” said Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller, Senior Pastor. “We reflect on almost 18 decades of making an impact through Christ on the lives of our congregation, ministering to one another, and providing outreach to the city and the world.”
Symbols of this outreach are many, including founding and co-partnering to form landmark SA ministries such as SAMMinistries, Christian Assistance Ministries, Haven for Hope, Christian Dental Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and Morningside Ministries, among others. In 2019, FPC opened the Kingdom Restoration Lab (KRL) on its ground floor, hosting various ministry partners such as the SA Hope Center, Any Woman Can, and a food/supply pantry of CAM.
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“Through our partnerships, the KRL provides direct support to many center-city, underserved neighbors,” Fuller said. Globally, the church also supports numerous evangelical missionaries and missions in all parts of the world.
Congratulations on so many years of faithful service to Jesus Christ, First Pres San Antonio! We are grateful for their vibrant ministry within ECO.
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Summer Swim Ministry at College Hill Presbyterian Church |
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Leaves are falling and cool weather is upon us, but we still have great memories of warmer days and unique opportunities for ministry coming up next summer! For 45 summers, College Hill Presbyterian in Cincinnati has been conducting an amazing summer swim ministry! They apply for and receive grants for scholarships for this thriving program that served almost 450 students for five one-week sessions over the summer. Their mission is “to raise up the next generation of Christian leaders within the context of teaching swimming each summer to children and adults so that they might reflect the Glory of God all the days of their lives.”
The “by-product” of their staff discipleship ministry is that hundreds of children and adults learn to swim each summer. Much of the staff is "home-grown" having been raised up from former swimming students. The students come from the Greater Cincinnati area and, this year, 71 staff came from 20 different churches (2 from out of the city).
Sam Stare, the Swim Ministry Administrator writes, “We are a Christian family living out Isaiah 61:1, which says, ‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and we teach every student Philippians 4:13. Delivering the Joy of Living Water this summer was challenging, exhausting and life-transforming for the staff, the swimmers and the families involved. The ministry was undergirded by hundreds of prayer warriors and donors who share our passion. We were faithful with a few things and God entrusted us with more.”
This summer, the leaders of the swim ministry had the unique opportunity to serve children from a refugee community who had been affected by tragedy - the drowning of a toddler in a neighbor’s pool. Read all about this fascinating story on page 2-3 of College Hill’s Bell Tower News here.
If you are interested in forming your own swim ministry, or learning more about how applying for grants can help support your ministry dreams, reach out to us at communications@eco-pres.org. We’d love to put you in touch with the leaders of the Swim Ministry at College Hill!
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Welcome to our new ECO Synod staff members! We are excited to introduce you to Mark, Luke, Sydney and Natalie. They are here to serve in their various roles as they help move the mission of ECO forward in order that your church can flourish! Make sure to say hi to them in person at the National Gathering!
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Rev. Dr. Mark Patterson
Director, Flourish Institute: Graduate School of Ministry
Department: Ministry Resources
(805) 947-3328
Rev. Dr. Mark Patterson was born in Boulder, CO but grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He became a Christian through the ministry of Younglife (which was founded by his grandfather, Jim Rayburn). He attended Whitworth University where he studied theology. It was there he met his wife Linda and they were married in 1982 following graduation. After two years in youth ministry, he and Linda moved to Princeton Theological Seminary. Upon graduation he served as associate pastor in the Seattle area for eight years during which time two daughters were born. In 1995, the family moved to Britain where Mark began PhD studies in theology at King’s College in London. In 1999 the family moved to Ventura, CA where Mark served as lead pastor for twenty-two years. Mark and Linda enjoy hiking, art and drawing, woodworking, and when time allows Mark loves to fly his paraglider. They continue to live in Ventura with their yellow Labrador Mosley.
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Rev. Luke Parker
National Church Planting Coordinator
Department: Ecclesiastical Support
(805) 979-8498
Rev. Luke Parker is ECO’s Church Planting Director. Luke formerly served as a Church Planter/Pastor in an ECO plant in Phoenix, the student ministries director at a non-denominational church in AZ, and in several other church plants in a variety of roles over the years. Before ministry in the local church he was heavily involved in Young Life. Luke attended Fuller Seminary, where he received an MDiv. He also has a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona (Bear Down). Luke’s passion to raise up young leaders and equip them to reach the lost in our time. He lives in Phoenix with his wife, Jessica and their two boys – Matthew and Samuel.
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Sydney Wolfe
Administrative Assistant for Ecclesiastical Support
Department: Ecclesiastical Support
(805) 273-7518
Sydney Wolfe was born in Santa Barbara, CA and grew up in Santa Maria, CA. She received her BA in English from University of California, Santa Barbara, but prior to that she found a passion for missions and ministry through completing a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission. She loves being able to partner with and love people relationally and in discipleship with Jesus, and has a love of adventure, hiking, coffee, and nature. She currently lives in Santa Barbara, CA with her 8 other housemates who all love Jesus!
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Natalie Barr
Administrative Assistant to the Synod Executive
Department: Synod Executive
(805) 273-7517
Natalie Barr was born in Thousand Oaks, CA but grew up in Santa Monica, CA. Natalie moved to Santa Barbara where she received her BA in Communication Studies from UCSB. She enjoys mission trips locally and globally, and loves working alongside teams. In her free time, she likes to find new hiking trails, create art, and play beach volleyball.
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Seeking Standing Theology Committee (STC) Nominations
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ECO’s Standing Theology Committee is made up of elected representatives who serve for a period of four years. We will be recruiting two or three new team members to begin after the National Gathering 2022. The team is made up of diverse representatives, and so does not necessarily require an advanced degree. We also encourage applications from elders. We do require evidence of a commitment to theological excellence appropriate to level of experience and education, as well as a commitment to uphold ECO’s theological standards. For more information or to apply contact ECO’s Theology Coordinator, Rev. Dr. Gregory Wagenfuhr at greg@eco-pres.org. Application due date is 12/6/21.
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WELCOME NEW ECO CHURCH PLANT! |
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Nova Church is a gospel-centered community forming in the heart of central Denver. Our dream is to see signs of Christ’s renewal in central Denver and beyond. |
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NEW COHORTS, WEBINARS, AND RESOURCES! |
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Coach Training at the 2022 National Gathering for ECO Pastors, Presbytery Leaders, Elders and Certified Transitional Pastors
When:
Thursday, Feb. 3rd from 1pm - 5:30 (after the National Gathering ends)
& Friday, Feb. 4th from 9am - 4pm
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.
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Global Engagement Pre-Conference! |
Diaspora Mission: Global Engagement in your Local Community
Monday, January 31st from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (CST)
Cost $40 (Includes lunch, learning time, and mini-mission trip)
This event is a pre-conference for the 2022 National Gathering in Dallas, TX. If you haven't already registered for the gathering, you can do so here.
If you have already registered but would like to add this pre-conference to your registration, please reach out to us at nationalgatherin@eco-pres.org
Through scripture and history, God works when people are on the move! And there are currently more than 824 million people forcibly displaced from their homes, and even more displaced by choice. Some of them live in your community. The strategic opportunity for diaspora ministry (which is how missiologists refer ministry with displaced people) is not new, but has growing strategic significance today.
The Global Engagement pre-conference will include learning from Brian Hébert who teaches at Fuller Seminary Texas and leads diaspora mission in Houston, TX. This will be followed by a panel of global perspectives on the topic from ECO’s mission partner organizations: Sasan Tavasoli (The Outreach Foundation), Sinte and Austin (The Antioch Partners), Uchenna Anyanwu (Frontier Fellowship), and Rolando Pinzón (World Renew). Mid-afternoon we will break into groups to go see and experience the opportunities we have to bless the nations in our own communities with opportunities in Dallas.
The guest speaker for this pre-conference is Brian Hébert. Brian grew up overseas and has traveled to more than 40 countries. He uses his love of the world to try to understand the most diverse city in the country: Houston. He currently lives in the international district, is on staff at a multi-ethnic church, and hosts a podcast called “Nations Reaching Nations.” He studies and writes about global migration and its impact on the church and mission.
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ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians | eco-pres.org
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