History

In the unfolding of Church history, it fell to the Baptist movement to develop the idea of a gathered church. A gathered church is a family of born-again believers who voluntarily join together around Christ and the ordinances of the Gospel. But as in the natural, so in the spiritual: A family cannot live in peace, or function together properly, unless its members understand, agree with, and abide by the purpose, goals, and rules of the family. Hence the church covenant, which has shown itself to be an effective tool for preserving the purity, peace, and unity of the church by making all these things clear.

Our church uses this covenant in two ways.

First, we ask all prospective members to read it, and then to affirm before the elders their willingness to live by it, with God and the church family helping them. In some churches, the board of elders ask new members to sign the covenant.

Secondly, at our quarterly church business meetings we remind ourselves of our covenant by hearing it read aloud. In this way we seek to spur one another on to live in accordance with a far greater Covenant: the one initiated in love, sealed by sacrifice, and kept for eternity by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In churches that observe the Lord’s Supper less frequently, one or more of the elders will read the covenant prior to partaking of the elements.

The version of the covenant found below is designed for use as covenant renewal at gatherings of the whole church. It may be appropriately modified for use in the instruction and induction of new members, whether individuals, couples, or families.

Church Covenant

Trusting that our Heavenly Father, by his Spirit, has brought us to repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and having been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant before them and with each other:

With God as our helper, we will seek to promote the edification of our church by faithfully engaging in personal and family devotions; by raising our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; by fulfilling all family obligations and commitments; by regularly assembling ourselves together for worship, teaching, prayer, and the observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; by welcoming, and critically testing, instruction from the Word of God, thereby seeking to grow towards the unity of the faith; by praying for the members of our church family, and especially for its leaders; by discovering and using our spiritual gifts, both within and without the church; and by cheerfully and faithfully giving of our time, talent, and treasure to the work of the church as the Lord may lead.

With God as our helper, we will seek to preserve the unity of the Spirit in our church by walking together in Christian love; by bearing one another’s burdens, praying for one another, and tangibly helping one another; by avoiding factions, gossip, backbiting, and anger; by being slow to take offense, and, in the event of offense, quick to seek reconciliation through repentance, confession, and forgiveness, both extended and received; by willingly offering and receiving encouragement and admonition as circumstances may require; by participating in, and submitting to, the disciplinary procedures of this church in regard to sound doctrine and ethical conduct; by obeying our church leaders as men who are called by Christ to oversee our spiritual growth, safety, and welfare, and who must give an account of their labors to the Lord; and by gladly living together in accordance with the provisions of our Statement of Faith, Church Covenant, and Constitution.

With God as our helper, we will seek the advance of Christ’s kingdom by living in such a way as to be a city upon a hill, shining in the darkness of a  lost, dying, but beloved world; by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present evil age; by offering Spirit-led testimony of our faith in Christ to family, friends, and neighbors, and by striving to do so with love, gentleness, and respect; by being a true friend of world missions, whether by staying or going; by being thoughtful and engaged Christian citizens, open to service at all levels of government, and eager to contribute to the enjoyment of God’s blessings upon our community, state, and nation; by seeking to defend and aid the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed; and by living with humility, compassion, holiness, and peace before all men.

As we pursue these worthy goals, we pray the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be with us all. Amen.