Presbyterians discontent with what they view as an abandonment of Scripture in the PC(USA) announced Thursday that they are launching their own Reformed body. More than 2,000 Presbyterians gathered in Orlando recently to provide support for congregations that are discontent with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and to officially launch the new church body – called The Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians.

Dozens of churches have left the PC(USA) over the past few years, citing the denomination's liberal direction on scriptural authority and homosexuality. Most recently in 2008, the General Assembly – the denomination's highest governing body – approved a proposal to delete from its constitution a requirement that clergy live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between and a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness."

In response to the changed ordination rules, The Fellowship of Presbyterians was created last year by pastors concerned about the health of the PC(USA).

ECO President John Crosby and The Fellowship of Presbyterians President Jim Singleton stressed that their desire for the new body is to "reclaim a sense of covenanted biblical community, where unity is derived from a shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ, rather than by structural mandate."

ECO President John Crosby and The Fellowship of Presbyterians President Jim Singleton stressed that their desire for the new body is to "reclaim a sense of covenanted biblical community, where unity is derived from a shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ, rather than by structural mandate." (Note: Sections of this portion of the blog were adapted from a Christian Post article)

On the program today, my guest will be Melton (Mel) Duncan – Mel is an Elder and Church Administrator for Second Presbyterian Church in Downtown Greenville, SC.

Mel will give us his thoughts on the ECO and also on a recent “Meeting of Understanding” in the PCA – 50 pastors were invited to discuss issues of unity and charity in the PCA. Richard Phillip, the Senior Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, recently wrote about that event in “By Faith” the Web Magazine of the PCA. The article is entitled: “A Marriage of Faithfulness and Understanding: Thoughts on Unity in the PCA”