Comments on Shuck and Jive: ECO? Seriously?

Aw, I'm late to the party again. Elsewhere ...

2012-01-31T17:13:23.610-05:00

Aw, I'm late to the party again.

Elsewhere on the web, I've seen someone say is should be "ECHO," adding the "h" for "homophobic." Given that it's formation is specifically in response to the PC(USA) opening the door to gay and lesbian ordination, it seems fitting.

The other two issues to me seem to be pensions and property. These are what keep them from outright leaving the denomination. From what I gather, the plan is to be both part of the PC(USA) and ECHO at the same time (at least for a while). I presume this is an attempt to allow pastors to retain their pensions and to avoid fighting over property.

Of course there are a whole slew of issues that arise with being part of two denominations at the same time, primarily because of the reason for the new denomination, so it will be interesting how this works out.

I have given a chunk of my life helping men and...

2012-01-28T11:33:11.071-05:00
I have given a chunk of my life helping men and women leave homosexuality.

And that my friends is the icon of ignorant religion. This is what you get when superstition is in charge. You get people devoting their lives to harming others while operating under the delusion that they are doing good. The authoritative basis for this life purpose is not science, reason, or logic, but special revelation ("God told me to do this.") This is why religion must be exposed for the fraud it has become and why no book can be viewed as "Word of God."

I was at the Orlando meeting last week. I'm g...

2012-01-28T09:41:39.862-05:00
I was at the Orlando meeting last week. I'm glad the new name doesn't have the words reformed body it, though I am looking forward to the promised new body we will get in the new heavens and earth. I am supportive of no ordination for gays and lesbians since I don't believe for a second that God creates homosexuals. I have given a chunk of my life helping men and women leave homosexuality. Many are successful and some are not. I love homosexually-identified folks. They are some of the most honest people I know

@Jessica Welcome. I very much enjoyed my time at...

2012-01-23T15:40:00.984-05:00
@Jessica

Welcome. I very much enjoyed my time at Lowville. As to your question the answer is no.

I am a PCUSA minister in good standing with my denomination. I feel I represent an important part of the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition. I rip off nothing. I am at home even as I challenge the denomination to reform its theology and commitments.

"ECO", on the other hand, has absolutely nothing to do with the ecological movement. Its logo and acronym represent a marketing ploy.

Wow, I am not exactly sure how I have stumbled upo...

2012-01-23T15:13:22.734-05:00
Wow, I am not exactly sure how I have stumbled upon your blog but I happen to be from Lowville and realized I graduated hs with your sister-in-law she was wonderful. I am a little confused though as I have never heard of this ECO movement but is'nt it calling the kettle black saying that they are ripping off the real ECO movement? I mean after all are'nt you a heretic/naturalist calling yourself a Presbyterian. I bet you the founders of Presbyterianism would claim no affiliation with you!

@Alan, agreed.

2012-01-23T14:03:46.439-05:00
@Alan, agreed.

Gee the BFTS have formed a new affinity group. Co...

2012-01-23T13:19:17.232-05:00
Gee the BFTS have formed a new affinity group.

Confessing Churches,
Renewal Network,
etc., etc., etc., etc.

Now add ECO to the list. This too shall pass like all the others.

Here’s an excerpt from the ECO Polity document: “...

2012-01-21T19:58:50.915-05:00
Here’s an excerpt from the ECO Polity document:

“Those who are invited to take significant leadership roles in the congregation shall be
spiritually mature, agree with the Essential Tenets of the ECO, be carefully selected, be trained
and/or mentored, and be supervised, and should ordinarily be members for at least a year.”

You have to “agree with” not just abide by the “Essential Tenets”. I guess they’re going to say bye-bye to freedom of conscience. This is a little scary to me personally. Our Session has been prodded by our Pastor to endorse becoming a Union member of the ECO and the PC(USA). If that happens, I wouldn’t be permitted to serve on Session again even though I’m a PC(USA) Ruling Elder. We don’t get to pick and choose which constitution to follow; we have to agree to follow whichever constitution is less permissive on each particular issue. I’m not about to give up my freedom of conscience!

I read the name as "Evangelical COPS"

2012-01-20T16:47:51.474-05:00
I read the name as "Evangelical COPS"

Deformed Renomination is more like it; dropping th...

2012-01-20T16:45:52.137-05:00
Deformed Renomination is more like it; dropping their seeds on rocky ground.

I'm glad at least that they stopped calling it...

2012-01-20T15:46:35.417-05:00
I'm glad at least that they stopped calling it the "New Reformed Body". I haven't seen very much "Reformed" in their process thus far. They pay lip service to it, but their actions don't seem to match the words. This has been a clergy-only led rebellion. There's not a single lay leader in the Theology or Polity groups. I'm wondering if the PC(USA) will recognize them as a legitimate Reformed Denomination.