First presbyterian church b e t h l e h e m p e n n s y l v a n i a

FOR 140 YEARS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM HAS BUILT A LEGACY OF JESUS-CENTERED AND BIBLICALLY-BASED MINISTRY, STRONG LAY LEADERSHIP, AND COMPASSIONATE OUTREACH. WE WANT TO BOLDLY LIVE OUT THIS CALLING TO THE GLORY OF GOD FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

WHY THE SESSION RECOMMENDS ECO

¢n this spirit, FPCB has devoted extensive time evaluating our denominational affiliation and how it impacts our ability to thrive in the future. We are currently members of the

Presbyterian Church USA, or PC(USA). For more than three years, your Session studied, contemplated, discussed, debated, prayed about, and prayed for the health of PC(USA) and the Lehigh Presbytery. We sought to discern what God is calling us to do and where God is calling us to be. Session engaged the congregation in our discernment by holding informational meetings and round table conversations. Session brought in representatives from the PC(USA), the Lehigh Presbytery, and ECO Presbyterians. A survey of our congregation, conducted in May 2015, strongly confirmed Session’s concerns.

In June 2015, after years of careful discernment and extensive congregational discussion, the FPCB Session made the nearly unanimous decision to transfer affiliation from the PC(USA) to another Presbyterian denomination called ECO Presbyterians: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. The reasons for the decision were presented to the congregation, and Session formally informed Lehigh Presbytery, our local governing body of the PC(USA), that we wished to transfer affiliation. PC(USA) bylaws do not allow us simply to leave; the Presbytery must permit us to go to another Reformed denomination. During the Lehigh Presbytery discernment process, all FPCB members should care-fully learn, pray, and respond, as together we seek God’s will for the church we love!

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POSITIONING FPCB FOR

T H E F U T U R E

• ECOPresbyteriansiscommittedtoBiblically-based,Jesus-centered,grace-filledtheology.

• ECOPresbyteriansencourageswisestewardshipofallresources.Propertyownershipisentrustedtolocalchurches.

• ECOPresbyteriansgovernanceisstream-lined.Itsnimbleandflatstructureisdesignedtonurtureandempowerthelocalchurch.

• ECOPresbyteriansemphasizescaringofpastorsandchurchesthroughmissionalnetworksandcovenantrelationships.

• ECOPresbyteriansfostersgrowththroughprioritizedleadershiptrainingwithspecialemphasisforleadersunderage45.

• ECOPresbyteriansispassionateaboutstartingnewchurchestosharetheGospelofJesusChristwiththenextgeneration.

• ECOPresbyteriansfacilitatesfreedomandflexibilityinhiringoffuturestaffwithabroadenedtalentpool.

• TheECOPresbyteriansethosispalpablymissional,futurefocused,andinfectiouslyhopeful.

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2344 CEnTER STREET, BEThLEhEM, PA 18017Ph. 610-867-5865 WWW.FPC-BEThLEhEM.ORG

AUGUST 2015

SESSION VOTED 19-1 TO RECOMMEND TRANSFERRING FROM PC(USA) TO ECO PRESBYTERIANS BECAUSE OF FPCB’S VISION FOR MINISTRY IN FOUR KEY AREAS:

JESUS-CENTEREDBIBLICALLY-BASED CORE THEOLOGYWe believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth,

and the Life, and those without Him are lost.

WISE STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES

We want to maximize the resources God has

given us for ministry and the expansion of

Jesus’ Kingdom.

STREAMLINED GOVERNANCE

We believe FPCB will thrive in a denomination structured to empower the local church and

nurture pastors.

OUR FUTURE GROWTH We are committed to

cultivating innovation, best practices, and leadership development to fuel our ability to reach the next

generation with the Gospel.

1. JESUS-CENTERED BIBLICALLY-BASED CORE THEOLOGYWe believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and those without him are lost. FPCB is passionate about being a church that lives out the Great Commission to joyfully share the Good news of Jesus Christ. Being part of a denomination that does not consistently align with this core theology creates both a crisis of conscience and missional disconnect. We are eager to align with other churches that are unapologetically Jesus-centered so we can maximize ministry together.

What Is True about FPCB: FPCB’s mission statement calls people to “follow Jesus.” This is an outflow of the Great Commission (Matthew28:16–20) to make disciples of Jesus and invite all into a transforming relationship with him.The essence of the FPCB beliefs is that Jesus Christ alone offers salvation and we are called to fulfill ourministry in obedience to Jesus Christ under the authority of Scripture.Committed Christians may come to different conclusions on theological issues, from matters of sexuality to Scripturalinterpretation. We believe our unity is founded in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, a clear conviction that he isthe hope of the world, and a confidence in the inspiration and authority of Scripture as the revealed Word of God.

How This Aligns with ECO Presbyterians: The mission and core values of ECO Presbyterians are Jesus-centered and aligned with those of FPCB.ECO’s churches embrace the foundations of the Reformed, Presbyterian theology that FPCBhas always affirmed.ECO’s key initiatives—from church planting to relational community—are designed to equipchurches to live out the Great Commission, reach the unchurched, and make disciples of Jesus.

Areas of Disconnect with the PC(USA): FPCB’s core theology of Salvation through Christ alone and the Authority of Scriptures is no longer embraced bymany PC(USA) leaders.The former vice moderator of the PC(USA) and current Executive of the Synod of Mid America, Landon Whitsett,was quoted in a 2010 interview quoting in part the author Phyllis Tickle: “Sola Scriptura is dead in most places,and dying rapidly in others. So where do we lodge the authority of our faith? That’s the real battle we see foughtin the church.” At FPCB, “sola scriptura” (“by scripture alone”) and the companion “solas,” “by faith alone,” “bygrace alone,” “by Christ alone,” and “to the glory of God alone” are alive and well.PC(USA)’s highest judiciary body, the GAPJC has declared that statements summarizing “essentials of Reformedfaith and polity” are “confusing and unnecessary.” This decision hinders FPCB from clearly identifying our beliefsand positions and leads others with whom we may work to be skeptical of our beliefs, thus hindering our ministry.PC(USA) pastor John Shuck and a General Assembly commissioner is quoted: “The concept of ‘God’ is a product of myth-making and ‘God’ is no longer credible as a personal, supernatural being,” he wrote in a blog post on his site Shuck and Jive. “Jesus may have been historical, but most of the stories about him in the Bible and elsewhere are legends.”

2. WISE STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCESWe want to maximize the resources God has given us for ministry and Kingdom expansion. FPCB believes wise stewardship of our property and finances is an extension of faithfulness. Being part of a denomination that claims ownership of our property discourages giving for capital improvements.

What Is True about FPCB: FPCB members have generously invested in the development and maintenance of our property for 140 years,and we believe the property should be owned by the local church without any denominational encumbrances.Last fall, Session aborted plans to expand our facilities because of strong disagreement among many long-termmembers with the theological drift of the PC(USA) and the uncertainty of our future denominational affiliation.There was deep concern that a capital campaign may not be successful with this uncertainty. This uncertaintyaffects our ability to move forward with satellite campuses. It is clearly better if investments in property areunencumbered by the denomination and remain in the possession of FPCB.We want FPCB members to give to our mission with confidence, certain of who owns our assets and thatresources are maximized for increasing Christ’s Kingdom.

How This Aligns with ECO Presbyterians: ECO Presbyterians clearly grants unencumbered property ownership to local churches.Annual denominational fees are 70% lower in ECO Presbyterians compared to PC(USA). In 2015 FPCB paida combined total of $109,090 to PC(USA) and Lehigh Presbytery. If we had been in ECO the total fees for 2015would be $32,690.ECO Presbyterians holds churches accountable for faithful stewardship and investment in Kingdom purposes.

Areas of Disconnect with the PC(USA):Under the PC(USA) constitution, all of FPCB’s property, assets, and land are held in trust for the PC(USA)—despite PC(USA) having not invested in the purchase or maintenance of our building.The endless dialog within the PC(USA) about the interpretation and the mission call of the foundational beliefshas resulted in a growing series of compromising changes that hinder our missional effectiveness. Theseinconsistencies cause doubts of what PC(USA) and its churches and leaders truly believe and teach comparedwith what FPCB might believe and teach. This endless dialogue takes significant time and energy away fromcarrying out our core mission—the “Great Commission”—and has reduced pledging by our members.

3. STREAMLINED GOVERNANCEWe believe FPCB will thrive in a denomination designed to empower the local church and nurture pastors. FPCB needs to be in an environment of support that is streamlined, strategic, and empowering. Because every church is unique, we believe governance should be nimble and allow customization to a church’s context, while still providing stability and accountability. Being part of a

denomination unduly dictated by ever-changing process and rules encumbers church leaders and distracts from mission.

What Is True about FPCB:We believe in strong governance and accountability for local churches, and we believe it should remaincongregationally focused and customized to a church’s context.FPCB values innovation and adaptation in ministry, which require the ability to make timely decisions andis aided by dynamic relationships with other churches wired similarly.

How This Aligns with ECO Presbyterians: The governance of ECO Presbyterians is a streamlined, flatter version of Presbyterian polity. It operates moreas an association that nurtures churches in community than a bureaucratic body.Voting is entrusted to lay leaders and pastors currently active in local churches. ECO Presbyterian governanceis very firmly rooted in its congregations.ECO’s constitution requires strong consensus (2/3 vote) for any amendments; PC(USA)’s simple majority voteencourages constant and contentious changes.Every ECO church will be connected to 2–5 other churches in accountable relationships organized aroundaffinity and mission.Conferences and meetings are full of joyful energy and Gospel vision. Breakout sessions at conferences focuson methods to plant new churches, grow membership, and reach the world for Christ.

Areas of Disconnect with the PC(USA): Over the past 30+ years, FPCB pastors and elders have attested to a political, bureaucratic tone that dominatesPC(USA) meetings, rather than a spirit of collegiality or energy for ministry.

PC(USA) churches are connected primarily by polity and proximity, not by missional affinity or common values.At the 2014 General Assembly (GA) national meeting of the PC(USA) denomination, attendees were aggressivelypressured by special interest groups on a wide range of national and international political issues. There was nodiscussion nor action regarding declining PC(USA) membership or the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.The 2014 General Assembly took the extraordinary step of issuing an “Authoritative Interpretation” that gaveimmediate effect to sweeping changes in the denomination’s constitutional definition of marriage rather thanwaiting for constitutionally mandated approval of a corresponding proposal to amend the constitution that wouldrequire approval of a majority of the denominations’ presbyteries. This action was taken against the advice ofGA’s own Advisory Committee on the Constitution.

4. OUR FUTURE GROWTHFPCB has been truly blessed. We do not want, nor do we plan, to eliminate any of the ministries of our church. In fact, we want to grow them. We are committed to cultivating innovation, best practices, and leadership development to fuel our ability to reach the next generation for Jesus Christ. We will benefit from being part of a thriving, entrepreneurial-minded denomination populated

by creative leaders and fresh ideas. As we prepare for the future, we want to attract the highest-quality leaders who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are passionate about taking FPCB boldly forward in its quest to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What Is True about FPCB: FPCB is a church for all generations—which means we want to build on our legacy while also connecting withideas and innovations that fuel our future.We will soon be searching for a new senior pastor, head of staff. We want to be able to recruit and hire from thewidest possible pool of candidates aligned with our core theology and vision.We desire to invest time and resources into a growing, missional, young denomination that aligns with our Re-formed Theology and core values.

How This Aligns with ECO Presbyterians: ECO Presbyterians heavily prioritizes leadership development and church planting with coaching and missionaltraining programs to equip pastors for effectiveness in ministry.Many of the largest and most dynamic churches within PC(USA) have already been dismissed to ECO andprovide a rich pool of best practices with experienced and talented leaders.ECO allows local churches freedom and flexibility in hiring pastors, which broadens the talent pool for FPCB tohire our next senior pastor.It is a reality that it is far easier to bring new life into a new organization than it is to try to resurrect an olddeclining one. ECO Presbyterians is currently a Gospel movement that is thriving and successful in churchplanting and proclamation of Jesus Christ to the world.

Areas of Disconnect with the PC(USA):Recently, in an effort to research methods to best establish satellite churches, FPCB made attempts to receiveinformation from the PC(USA). Despite several attempts, there was absolutely no response. We have learnedthat other PC(USA) presbyteries have created costly and time-consuming logistical challenges for churchesattempting to establish satellite campuses.The PC(USA) has lost 50% of its members in the past 40 years, becoming an aging and declining institution.People within the denomination are dying faster than those being baptized by a ratio of 6:1.In 2011, only 16% of all PC(USA) pastors were under the age of 40. The median age was 54.In 2013 and 2014 alone, PC(USA) dissolved 184 churches and dismissed 249 churches. More alarmingly, it lostover 181,000 (nearly 11%) of its members. In our own Lehigh Presbytery last year, only FPCB and two otherchurches saw a net increase in membership.

SESSION RECOMMENDS ECO PRESBYTERIANS SESSION BELIEVES THAT THE AREAS OF ALIGNMENT WITH ECO PRESBYTERIANS AND GROWING DISCONNECTS WITH THE CHANGING PC(USA) ARE COMPELLING. IT IS CRUCIAL TO MAKE A DECISION NOW SO WE CAN CALL A NEW SENIOR PASTOR WHO WILL LEAD US INTO A FUTURE CONSISTENT WITH OUR LONG-ESTABLISHED LEGACY.