Presbyterian Denominations, Values, and Criteria


1	Updated:	8/24/2012
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3	Question	PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA)	EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church)	ECO (Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians)	ECC (Evangelical Covenant Church)

4	Website	www.pcusa.org	www.epc.org	http://www.fellowship-pres.org/eco/	http://www.covchurch.org/
5	Founded	1789 [1983]	1981	2011	1885
6	Churches in PCUSA that have moved to this denomination	N/A	117	15	3
7	Churches in our Presbytery that have moved to this denomination	N/A	Ephrata, Wenatchee, Bickleton, Terrace Height	0	0
8	Geographic considerations (closest affiliated churches, location of Presbytery, etc.)	Church: Okanogan. Presbytery: Central Washington Presbytery. Office: Yakima	Church:Wenatchee. Presbytery Office: Kent	Church: Tacoma. Presbytery Office: Colorado Springs	Church: Twisp, East Wenatchee Conference Office: Mercer Island
9	Support for Congregation	Congregation is supported by the COM and other various ministries of the presbytery.	Equal to or less than PCUSA	Less than EPC. The ECO seems to be more of an affiliation in this regard.	The Regional Office seems to function like a presbytery, but many of the functions we are used to seeing at the Presbytery level are performed at the national level, including ordination of pastors.
10	Benefits	Benefits for Pastor	Benefits for Pastor.	Benefits for pastor and all full-time employees	Pastors are required to participate in the benefits and pension plan.
11	Support for Pastor	COM supports pastor and EP is the pastor to the pastors	similar to PCUSAi	Covenant Groups.	Discipline policy is set forward in the "Rules for Ordered Ministry." In addition, pastors are required to be members of the Covenant Ministerium, which provides pastoral support.
12	Pastor Retirement	Pension	403(b)	403(b)	Pension
13	Who is Jesus	Official Document affirm orthodox beliefs. In practice acceptance of a whide range of beliefs about Jesus, including one of many ways to God	Official Documents affirm orthodox beliefs. In practice also affirm that Jesus Christ is God's sole means for our salvation	Official Documents affirm orthodox beliefs. In practice also affirm that Jesus Christ is God's sole means for our salvation	1) Every member affirms Jesus Christ as Savior and promises to follow him as Lord. 2) "At the very heart of our commitment to Scripture is the conviction that Jesus was and is the living Word of God (John 1:1-18), the supreme revelation of God."
14	The Trinity	Official statements speak of the Trinity. In the "Trinity Paper," while the official Trinitarian language is upheld, other metaphors for the Trinity are put forward	We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally exisiting in three Persons: Fasther, Son and Holy Spirit.	With Christians everywhere, we worship the only true God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- who is both one essence and three persons.	The Covenant Church, rooted in historic Christianity, affirms one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit continues the creative work of the Father and the redeeming work of the Son within the life of the church.
15	Sacraments	Baptism and the Lord's Supper (limited to baptized)	Baptism and Holy Communion (open)	Baptism and Holy Communion (open: not determined)	Baptism and Holy Communion (open)
16	Authority of the Bible	Confessions affirm orthodox understanding of Bible (some question C67 on this). In practice no clear boundaries on how leaders understand authority of the Bible.	change to preamble to EPC The Essentials	We glorify God by recognizing and receiving His authoritative self-revelation, both in the infallible Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) and the incarnation of God the Son	1) "The authority of the Bible is supreme in all matters of faith, doctrine and conduct, and is to be trusted." 2) "While a variety of views about Scripture has always been present in the Covenant, two things are clear: we do not waver on the authority of Scripture, nor do we accept explanations that do not do justice to the character of Scripture."
17	Creeds/Confessions	8 + 3 Catechisms	Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger & Shorter Catechisms	8 + 3 Catechisms	Covenant Affirmations, but also a nod to the Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed, with mention of the Chalcedonian Definition and the Athanasian Creed.
18	Examination of leaders	Session examines Ruling Elders and Deacons. Presbytery examines Teaching Elders. As there is no essential tenet document, the criteria of examination is left to individual examining bodies.	Initially, serving leaders will be examined by reps of Presbytery. After entry into the denomination In the future, left to local denomination.	Initially, serving leaders will be examined by reps of Presbytery. After entry into the denomination In the future, left to local denomination.	Pastors are examined by a national board, but congregational leaders are examined by the local congregation according to the manner described by it in its congregational constitution.
19	Boundaries of Belief for those in leadership	Regardless of theological conviction… PCUSA shall guarantee full participation and representation in worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons.	Acceptance of Westminster Confession and Essentials of Belief. Unity on essentials and Grace in all other matters	Ordination vows would require receiving and adopting the Essential Tenets of ECO	Pastors: The pastor needs to meet Scripture requiremements (specifically cited is 1 Timothy 3:2-7) to become a emmber of the Covenant Ministerium. Congregation: Leaders of the congregation would be held to the standards of Scripture as specifically stipulated in the congregational Constitution.
20	Leadership Standards	Asks leaders to Joyfully Submit to the lordship of Jesus	Called to holiness in all areas of life. Fidelity in marriage or chastity.	Maintain chastity in thought and deed, being faithful within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman as established by God at the creation or embracing a celibate life as established by Jesus in the new covenant.	Pastors: "ECC ordains only after determining through careful examination that the person has been called of God, is genuinely committed to the apostolic message, and lives in conformity to it." The ECC specifically outlines that its standard for ministers is either fidelity in heterosexual marriage or chastity in singleness. Congregational Leaders: Again, these standards are left to the congregational constitution.
21	Position on Abortion	Pro-Choice. Medical Plan supports Abortion Services. Social Justice Division strongly advocates Pro-Choice	The EPC is convinced that the Bible strongly affirms the dignity and value of every human life. (Jeremiah 1:5)	I will honor the sanctity of human life above the claims of human freedom: (Psalm 8:4-5)	"We affirm life by seeking to protect and preserve it even at its earliest stages."
22	Position on Israel	The PC(USA) has taken a decidely anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian stance.	Does not take political positions		Support Middle East peace
23	Women Leaders	Yes	Local church decision on church officers, presbytery decision on pastors	ECO is silent on gender in leadership roles, but they also celebrate women in leadership.	Yes- women must be allowed as ministers or officers
24	Safeguards against future change	NONE	Essential Tenets limit who can be an officer and therefore vote	Essential Tenets limit who can be an officer and therefore vote	Commitment to Covenant Affirmations
25	Terms of dismissal	Left to individual presbyteries to decide	Spelled out in the Book of Government of the EPC	The Presbytery is given the authority to dismiss congregations	Spelled out in the Bylaws of the Constitution.
26	Who owns Property	Held in trust for the Denomination	Congregation owns and has exclusive right to its property	Local church	Local control of property, deed held by congregation, and administered according to congregational constitution (in case of schism, the property goes with the group who will hold to the original congregational constitution). In the event of the congregation dissolving (read, going extinct) the property would go to the ECC.
27	Membership	1,952,287 members & 10,466 churches at the end of 2011	115,000 members & 364 churches	15 churches, membership total unknown	178,000 members & 800 churches
28	% who attend	53%	94%	Unknown
29	Per Capita Tax	$45.03 per person Presbytery/Synod/GA	Voluntary	1% of annual budget	Unknown amount, but set by national and regional bodies
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