Quest Church, a Covenant congregation in Seattle, Washington, has announced it will formally disaffiliate as a member church of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Donnie Griffin, chair of Quest’s elder board, wrote to Covenant leadership, “Quest has been a member of the ECC for twenty-one years; and we acknowledge our rich history together and the mutual covenant made back in 2002.” After summarizing the congregation’s concerns, Griffin wrote, “We have made the prayerful, loving, and justice-oriented decision to decouple Quest from the roster of member churches, effective immediately.”
In October the Covenant Executive Board voted to advance the involuntary removal of Quest from the roster of churches to the 137th Annual Meeting. In compliance with the denomination’s constitution and bylaws, the agenda for the meeting was published 30 days in advance of the event, which will be held June 29–July 1. Agenda item 10b, Action on Involuntary Removal from Membership, includes action to be taken on Quest.
Although the agenda can no longer be altered prior to the meeting, the Annual Meeting moderator plans to offer an amendment to move that Quest be voluntarily dismissed.
“We receive this communication from Quest with heavy hearts,” said Paul Lessard, executive minister of Start and Strengthen Churches. “The congregation and leadership have chosen what they deem best at this time for their body, and we bless them in their decision, confident that their good work and ministry will continue.”
