Just a bit of news: As the pastor of First Coast Missional Communities, I wanted to share that I am now ordained through the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, better known as ECO.

Why?  This step may seem odd given that FCMC is not affiliated with a denomination.  We welcome and work in full partnership with anyone who acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord.   However, we require our lead pastors to be accountable to others, to be theologically trained, and to be prepared for leadership.  The standards for preparation for leadership are defined in the ECO Polity and Discipline.  The standards of many ordaining bodies are very similar. But further, ECO requires that its pastors be in mutually accountable relationships.  We believe that our pastors need to be in relationships of mutual accountability not only with our Board of Stewards, but also with peers in ministry.  ECO provides that.

And ECO is a good fit.  Our beliefs page includes a reference to the Essential Tenets of the Christian Faith as articulated by ECO.  ECO’s Polity and Discipline document also served as a foundation for how we’ve organized ourselves administratively. Additionally, ECO has been supportive and encouraging through the formation of FCMC.   As a denomination, ECO is oriented to support the movement of the gospel – as are we.

Click on this link to learn more about ECO.