New Presbyterian Church Body Formed--ECO

CONTACT: Sharon Sampson at 612.860.0556

THE FELLOWSHIP OF PRESBYTERIANS HOLDS COVENANTING CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO


New Denominational Entity Officially Launched

ORLANDO, FL – January 18, 2012 – Approximately 2,150 Presbyterians representing more than
500 congregations from 49 states are gathered for The Fellowship of Presbyterians Covenanting
Conference in Orlando, Florida. The three-day conference (January 18-20) invites pastors, elders, and ministry leaders to forge new paths to connect and collaborate around the shared mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. The Fellowship is committed to offering support and structure for
congregations both in the PC(USA) and those who choose to leave.

During the Conference, the Fellowship is officially launching a new Reformed body, called The
Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO). ECO is a denominational entity under the
umbrella of The Fellowship of Presbyterians that is committed to growing and planting flourishing
churches and nurturing leaders. The distinctives of ECO include an emphasis on connecting leaders in accountable relationships, peer review systems for churches, leadership training, and a flatter polity structure than the PC(USA).

The Fellowship offers three different options for affiliation so congregations can pursue what best
honors their ministry context. The options are: 1)  affiliate with the Fellowship as a ministry association.  This action would involves no change in status with the PC(USA)); 2) pursue a union membership with the PC(USA) and ECO; and join ECO as full members (requiring dismissal from the PC(USA).

A pre-conference event was held January 17-18 for 275 pastors and leaders under age 45. One of the core values of the Fellowship is identifying and nurturing young leaders. Currently, only 7% of pastors in the PC(USA) are under age 40 and the Fellowship is committed to raising up a new generation of gospel-minded leaders.

Speakers at the Orlando Covenanting Conference include Hope Lee (Kirkwood Presbyterian,
Bradenton, FL), John Ortberg (Menlo Park Presbyterian, Menlo Park, CA), Dr. Atef Gendy (President of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt), Tae-Hyung Ko (Good Shepherd Presbyterian, Rowland Heights, CA and Moderator, National Council of Korean Presbyterian Churches), Jim Singleton and Katie Dayton (First Presbyterian, Colorado Springs, CO).

To learn more about The Fellowship of Presbyterians, visit www.fellowship-pres.org.