New members are taught that a lot of Scripture is open to interpretation and faithful Christians can differ on peripheral issues. The denomination, founded by Swedish immigrants in 1885, has long emphasized theological diversity and the importance of freedom in Christ. “Ultimately, it becomes a question of what is love about and what is inclusion about,” he said. But Dan Collison, pastor of First Covenant, said at the time he didn’t think the conversation was over. Some hoped the decisive action would settle the issue. The following year, First Covenant Church, a prominent and historic Minneapolis congregation, was expelled after church leaders said they would affirm LGBT members, host same-sex weddings, and ordain married gay people. In 2018, the denomination suspended a North Park University chaplain who officiated a wedding for two men.
The Covenant Executive Board voted in October 2022 to remove both from the roster of ECC churches after pastors from the Washington State and Minnesota congregations participated in same-sex weddings. This summer the denomination’s pastors will vote on whether or not to expel Awaken and Quest Church, in Seattle, for their positions on LGBT issues. “This one matter … I would contend is a nonessential.” “We agree on 99.9 percent of things,” said Micah Witham, an LGBT-affirming pastor at Awaken Church in St. That last detail has become a sticking point for some ECC pastors who have changed their position on whether or not faithful Christians can be in same-sex relationships-and whether or not that should be a litmus test for fellowship. The denomination wants church leaders to unify around six essential doctrines concerning salvation, the Bible, the significance and mission of the church, the role of the Holy Spirit, and freedom in Christ.Īnd since 2015, it has also asked ECC ministers to refrain from participating in same-sex weddings. The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) does not ask its pastors to subscribe to extensive statements of faith. “Having a position, as we know in all other aspects of life, does not does not prevent us from loving people well and growing in love for others,” said ECC President Tammy Swanson-Dranheim to the annual gathering. “We pray for God’s blessing on Awaken and the Covenant Church as we each continue to join God in mission.” “We are always grieved when fellowship is broken,” said Tim Rodgers, chair of the Covenant Executive Board, after the vote on Awaken Church’s removal.
In its letter announcing its withdrawal, Quest’s pastor Gail Song Bantum said ECC “has become a space that prioritizes doctrinal uniformity on a singular issue over relational unity in areas that are non-essentials of faith.” Weeks before the meeting, Quest Church, in Seattle, decided to voluntarily remove itself from the ECC over LGBT inclusion rather than face a vote at the meeting.
Divisions awaken i am full#
Awaken-which allows for same-sex marriage and the full participation of LGBT members in church life-is the second church in the ECC’s history to be removed involuntarily. Paul, Minnesota, over “policies and practices that are inconsistent with the denomination’s human sexuality guidelines.”ĭelegates to the ECC annual gathering voted the church out on June 30.
Divisions awaken i am update#
UPDATE (July 5): The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) has removed Awaken Church in St.
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