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Exploring the Evangelical Covenant Church: History, Distinctives, and Mission

Explore the history, distinctives, and mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) and how its ethos finds expression in local churches. Learn about the ECC's denominational roots, enduring commitments, and core beliefs. Discover the ECC's physical description, including its congregations, regions, diversity, and global impact. Reflect on the benefits of being part of a denomination and the ministry of our own church.

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Exploring the Evangelical Covenant Church: History, Distinctives, and Mission

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  1. SESSION TWO The Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church

  2. OBJECTIVES Explore the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC): • History • Distinctives and theology • Structure and resource Explore how the ethos of the ECC finds expression in our local church

  3. FAMILY NAME DISCUSSION Whatdo you know about your family name?

  4. MISSION OF THE ECC Introduction

  5. A DENOMINATION Denominations are groups of local churches who collectively work together to fulfill God’s mission in the world.

  6. THE ETHOS OF THE ECC “Mission Friends”From the beginning Covenanters have sought to build a culture of friendship in Christ, pursuing the mission of God together.

  7. THE COVENANT DESCRIBES ITSELF “ The Covenant is not a church organization in the ordinary sense, but a mission society having churches as its members. These churches have consolidated together because of the missionary spirit which led them to missionary enterprises too large for any single church to undertake” —THE COVENANT’S DESCRIPTION OF ITSELF FROM THE 1893 WORLD’S FAIR

  8. THE MISSION OF THE ECC …more disciples …among more populations …in a more caring and just world

  9. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Founded in 1885 by Scandinavian immigrants

  10. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Consists of more than 850 congregations

  11. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Comprised of 11 regions called conferences

  12. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION • One of the fastest-growing denominations • Diverse—33% of our congregations are predominantly non-white or multiethnic in their makeup.

  13. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Has mission partnerships around the globe in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East North Africa, extending the whole gospel around the world and impacting hundreds of thousands of people.

  14. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Offices of the ECC are located in Chicago

  15. REFLECTION What are some of the benefits ofbeing a part of a denomination?

  16. MMISION OF THE ECC Our Roots Western denominational roots

  17. CHARACTER DESCRIPTION The Identity Question What makes the Covenant the Covenant? 

  18. THE ENDURING COMMITMENTS OF THE COVENANT

  19. HISTORICAL INFLUENCES • The Protestant Reformation • Pietism • Moravian mission • Founding rationale

  20. CONTINUING INFLUENCES OF THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH TODAY • The Evangelical Movement • The Global and Multiethnic Kingdom of God

  21. MISSION OF THE ECC: OUR CORE BELIEFS We affirm • the centrality of the word of God.  • the necessity of the new birth. • a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.  • a commitment to the whole mission of the church.  • the church as a fellowship of believers.  • the reality of freedom in Christ.

  22. THE CENTRALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD • How have you seen this belief in the centrality of Scripture lived out in our church? • How does God’s word influence your life?

  23. THE NECESSITY OF NEW BIRTH AND A CONSCIOUS DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT • How have you seen our beliefs in the necessity of new birth and our conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit lived out at our church? • How are you going deeper in Christ in your own life?

  24. A COMMITMENT TO THE WHOLE MISSION OF THE CHURCH • How have you seen us being missional at our church? • How do you see the church helping you to reach the lost, help the hurting, and address the causes of that hurt?

  25. THE CHURCH AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS • How have you seen us being connectional at our church? • What does it mean to you to become part of a community of faith?

  26. The Reality of Freedom in Christ

  27. Mission of the ECC and the Ministry of Our Church

  28. DENOMINATIONAL OFFICES Serves local congregations through five mission priorities: 1. Start and Strengthen Churches 2. Make and Deepen Disciples 3. Love Mercy Do Justice 4. Develop Leaders 5. Serve Globally

  29. Our Conference

  30. DISTINCTIVES OF THE ECC • Emphasizes what unites us • Affirms both infant and believer baptism • Affirms women in ministry at all levels of leadership • Growing in ethnic diversity

  31. DISTINCTIVES OF THE ECC(CON’T) • Affirms faithfulness in heterosexual marriage and celibacy in singleness as the Christian standard for human sexuality • Congregational polity • Discipleship means fully embracing evangelism together with compassion, mercy, and justice

  32. IN THE COVENANT • We love God. • We love God’s word. • We love God’s world. • We love God’s family. • We strive to obey the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

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