OUR CHURCH COVENANT

Hebrews 10:23-25 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."


In other words, in order to persevere in the Christian life, we need fellow Christians to walk alongside us. Our church covenant is a summary of the commitments that God calls us to make to fellow Christians. These are commitments that are best lived out with fellow Christians in the same local church. 

Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, relying on his grace, most solemnly and joyfully enter the covenant with one another, as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit: 


1. We will submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final word on all matters of life and doctrine. 

(2 Tim. 3:14-17) 


2. We will seek God’s help to enable us to resist sin and pursue holiness, both as individuals and as a church. 

(Rom. 6:1-14; 1 Thess. 4:1; Titus 2:12; 1 Pt. 1:14-16; 1 Jn. 2:15-17) 


3. We will regularly assemble together to worship God and mutually build up each other in Christ. 

(Heb. 10:23-25) 


4. We will commit to the great duty of prayer both for ourselves and for others. 

(James 5:16) 


5. We will work and pray for the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace with one another. 

(Eph. 4:1-3) 


6. We will use our words to build up one another and glorify God, rather than speaking lies, deceit, slander, or gossip. 

(Eph. 4:29-31) 


7. We will show Christian love, affectionate care, and be slow to take offense, always ready for forgiveness and reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay. 

(Jn. 13:34-35; Eph. 4:32; 1 Pt. 1:22) 


8. We will encourage, admonish, and exhibit watchfulness over one another with wisdom and humility in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Matt. 7:1-5; Col. 3:13; 1 Thess. 5:11) 


9. We will raise our children in the training and instruction of the Lord. By a pure and loving example, we will seek the salvation of our family, friends, and neighbors. 

(Eph 6:4; 1 Pt. 3:1) 


10. We will rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, helping to carry each other’s burdens. 

(Rom. 12:15) 


11. We will defend and maintain a Christ-exalting ministry in this church by supporting and upholding the preaching of the Bible, the right administration of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and when necessary, the exercise of church discipline. 

(Mt. 18:15-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 5:9-13, 11:26; 2 Tim. 4:2) 


12. We will cheerfully and regularly contribute to the support of the ministry, the needs of the church, and the relief of the poor. 

(2 Cor. 9:7; Gal. 6:10; James 1:27; 1 Jn. 3:17-18) 


13. We will proclaim the gospel in our homes, neighborhoods, and to the ends of the earth in whatever way the Lord enables us. 

(Mt. 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 5:16-21) 


14. We will commit ourselves to live carefully in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our behavior. 


15. We will, when moving from this place, unite with another church where we will carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. 


We commit this covenant before God and one another. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 

(2 Cor. 13:14)