A church's statement of faith defines it's doctrine, while it's covenant reflects its relational obligations. It's statement of faith focuses on the doctrinal (beliefs about God, Scripture, salvation, etc.), while it's covenant focuses on the practical (a church's relationships and responsibilities). The Bible is clear that beliefs determine behavior. This is true individually and collectively: a church's conduct will be shaped by its creed (beliefs). Ideally, the purer a church's beliefs are, the purer it's behavior will be—or should be.
Our hope and heartfelt longing as a church is that we would live in a way that adorns the gospel and compliments the beautiful truths that bind us together. Mindful of our imperfections and inadequacies, and that apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5), we fix our eyes on Him and the enabling grace of our triune God to live together in a way that brings Him glory.
Our covenant is as follows:
Having been led by the grace of our Triune God to repent of our sins and to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and supreme Treasure—our Lord and our God—and having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we now, relying on the grace and help of the Holy Spirit, covenant before God and with one another as follows:
We will consistently gather to worship our Triune God—to hear and heed the preaching of His Word, to remember and rejoice in the finished work of Christ, to return our souls to rest in His bountiful dealings with us, to realign our lives with the truth of the gospel, to lift our voices in prayer and praise, and to build one another up in grace and godliness, not neglecting to meet together but encouraging one another as the Day draws near.
Hebrews 10:24–25; Acts 2:42–47; Psalm 116:7; Colossians 3:16–17; Ephesians 4:11–16
We will deliberately seek to live out the truth of the gospel in our homes and daily lives, maintaining personal and family devotions, educating our children and those under our care in the faith once for all delivered to the saints, and striving to make our homes places where the gospel is prized and proclaimed, relying on God’s grace to order our lives, marriages, and families according to His Word, that our public ministry in this church might flow from sincere faith and personal godliness rather than hollow hypocrisy.
Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Joshua 24:15; Ephesians 5:25–33; 6:4; Jude 3; Titus 2:11–14
We will continuously pray for one another, our leaders, and our ministries, that the gospel and kingdom of our Lord and Savior would be advanced in our city and among the nations, to the praise of God’s glorious grace.
Colossians 4:2–4; Ephesians 6:18–20; 1 Timothy 2:1–3; Matthew 6:9–10; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
We will lovingly keep watch over one another in brotherly affection, sharing each other’s burdens, rejoicing in each other’s joys, and bearing patiently with each other’s weaknesses, not holding each other’s sins against us when we are wronged, but, mindful of the mercy God has shown to us, forgiving and showing mercy to one another, as love covers a multitude of sins.
Galatians 6:1–2; Romans 12:10, 15–16; Ephesians 4:2, 31–32; Colossians 3:12–14; 1 Peter 4:8
We will faithfully uphold the purity of the congregation by participating in its discipline, lovingly giving correction and being willing to receive it when we are in error, always aiming for the restoration of straying saints, that God’s name may be hallowed among us.
Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 2:5–8; Titus 2:15; Hebrews 12:10–11
We will diligently pursue holiness as God’s redeemed, looking to the grace that trains us to deny ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.
Titus 2:11–14; 1 Peter 1:14–16; Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; Hebrews 12:14
We will intentionally serve one another as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, using the gifts He has entrusted to us for the growth, unity, and joy of the body of Christ, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:10–11; Romans 12:4–8; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:11–16; Philippians 2:3–4
We will earnestly pursue unity, walking in patience, forgiveness, and Christian love, refusing to give place to gossip, slander, or divisive speech, but instead speaking the truth in love and promoting peace for the building up of this body.
Ephesians 4:1–3, 15, 29; Colossians 3:13–15; Proverbs 6:16–19; Romans 14:19; John 17:20–23
We will carefully represent Christ and this congregation before a watching world, that our manner of life may be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so as to avoid bringing reproach upon His church, His gospel, or His blessed name.
Philippians 1:27; Matthew 5:14–16; Titus 2:5, 8, 10; 1 Peter 2:12; Colossians 4:5–6
We will generously give, as those nourished by the ministry of the Word, contributing as we are able and as God provides, to support those who labor in preaching and teaching for our progress and joy in the faith, to sustain the work of the ministry, to serve the needs of the saints, and to advance the gospel in the world.
2 Corinthians 8:1–9; 9:6–8, 12–13; 1 Timothy 5:17–18; Philippians 4:15–18; Acts 20:35
We will humbly submit to the shepherding and oversight of our pastors as they lead according to God’s Word, acknowledging that they keep watch over our souls as those who will give account to the Chief Shepherd, and striving to make their work a joy and not a burden, knowing that this is for our good and for God’s glory.
Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13; 1 Peter 5:1–5; Acts 20:28
We will boldly proclaim Christ crucified, empowered by His Spirit and compelled by His love, joining in the evangelistic mission of this church to our city and to the nations, that God may be glorified and sinners reconciled to Him through the gospel.
Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; 1 Peter 3:15
And when we fail in keeping this covenant, grounded in the principles of God’s Word, we will look to Christ—our crucified, risen, and exalted Savior, whose righteousness alone is our standing before the Father—confessing our sins to God and to one another, and pressing on again in the strength He provides, relying on His Spirit to strengthen, restore, and sustain us, and to complete the good work He began in us.
If we move from this place, we will do so in a spirit of love and Christlikeness, uniting with another gospel-preaching church where we may carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.