After presiding over a “Process for Pastoral Responsibility, Accountability and Gracious Witness,” Central Florida Presbytery determined that Trinity Presbyterian Church of Satellite Beach should be dismissed peaceably into ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Finding that none of its members wanted to form a continuing Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation, the presbytery chose to dismiss Trinity church without financial penalty or obligation. Rather than use its power to diminish the congregation’s future mission, the presbytery embraced a larger vision.
Grateful for this gracious treatment and enthusiastic for shared mission projects; the congregation continues to provide significant support for selected causes through its former presbytery and denomination. Prior to dismissal, Trinity’s Session indicated its intention to maintain its commitment to PC(USA) causes for at least three years. Since dismissal, $10,000 has been given to support a suburban Orlando church plant and a Hispanic congregation’s expansion of its facilities. Through the Antioch Partners, the congregation has also provided $10,000 for three PC(USA) missionaries. Rather than abandon its parent denomination, the congregation has embraced a larger vision.
If desirous of such partnership with PC(USA) entities, why would the congregation pursue separation? Rather than exhaust energy in battles over ordination standards and Christological clarity, it seemed more missionally faithful to the members of Trinity to be theologically accountable to Presbyterians who clearly defined essential Reformed beliefs. Recognizing the PC(USA)’s unwillingness to allow congregations to differentiate within the PC(USA) through an evangelical synod or non-geographic presbyteries, these members reluctantly concluded that missional faithfulness necessitated denominational realignment. Now the congregation is no longer distracted by denominational controversies, nor is it tempted to disengage from denominational participation, for Trinity church now has denominational congruence. ECO shares many PC (USA) values (affirmation of women’s ordination, concern for social justice, etc.) while also maintaining theological boundaries that the PC(USA) no longer requires for its leaders. Because of these shared values and ECO’s relationship with the Fellowship of Presbyterians, this unique alignment provides Trinity with differentiation from the PC(USA) while allowing for continued partnerships with the PC(USA).
Dismissal into ECO isn’t God’s call for every disenchanted PC(USA) congregation. Some churches see no need to “stay close” to the PC(USA), and seek dismissal into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). Many other evangelical congregations discern God’s call to remain within the PC(USA), perhaps by participation in the Fellowship of Presbyterians and holding to the essential beliefs it shares with ECO. A significant number of congregations will recognize that their members would not be unified in seeking dismissal; pursuing such a course would distract and divide.
Yet for some congregations, dismissal into ECO will be the path that leads to faithful missional focus. What a shame if the continued partnership realized by Trinity Church and Central Florida Presbytery is a rarity! Recent rulings by PC(USA) ecclesiastical courts have the potential to discourage presbyteries from having gracious, non-punitive dismissal policies. Particularly disheartening has been the petty (and ridiculous) opinion that ECO doesn’t even qualify as a Reformed body. How tragic! Making dismissal costly or deeming it impossible will only serve to embitter those who seek to differentiate. Such tactics will foster massive disengagement by many remaining PC(USA) churches and lead to lawsuits by those determined to leave.
My hope is that the vast majority of PC(USA) leaders choose to disavow such small vision. Instead, grieving the loss of denominational unity in a healthy manner, PC(USA) leaders could choose to be the stewards of a gracious process that allows evangelical congregations to be dismissed without rancor. Rather than waste time and money or penalize congregations, those with larger vision would seek missional partnerships with those who depart…then, with laser-beam focus, invest their best energies in developing innovative ministry for this post-Christendom era.
Michael Carey is pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Satellite Beach, Fla., which is one of the first congregations to have been dismissed from its PC(USA) presbytery to ECO: The Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.
