Evangelical Covenant Church SESSION TWO The Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church

Explore the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC): 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

What do you know about your family name? FAMILY NAME DISCUSSION What do you know about your family name?

MISSION OF THE ECC Introduction

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

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.

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

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

Founded in 1885 by Scandinavian immigrants PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Founded in 1885 by Scandinavian immigrants

Consists of more than 850 congregations PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Consists of more than 850 congregations

Comprised of 11 regions called conferences PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Comprised of 11 regions called conferences

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

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.

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

What are some of the benefits of being a part of a denomination? REFLECTION What are some of the benefits of being a part of a denomination?

MMISION OF THE ECC Our Roots

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

THE ENDURING COMMITMENTS OF THE COVENANT

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

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

We affirm • the centrality of the word of God. 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.

• How does God’s word influence your life? 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?

• How are you going deeper in Christ in your own life? 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?

• How have you seen us being missional at our church? 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?

• How have you seen us being connectional at our church? 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?

The Reality of Freedom in Christ

Mission of the ECC and the Ministry of Our Church

Serves local congregations through five mission priorities: 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

Our Conference

• Emphasizes what unites us • Affirms both infant and believer baptism 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

• Congregational polity 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

• We strive to obey the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. 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.