Elder Covenant Responsibilities
Member Covenant Responsibilities
We will cooperate with, submit to, and prayerfully support the leadership of the Elders who have been entrusted by God to serve and care for this body by teaching the Word of Christ to us and modeling the character of Christ before us. We will seek the guidance of our Elders and small groups in major life decisions.
(Hebrews 13:7, 17; Acts 6:1-7, 20:28-31; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 5:17-20; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
Because the Bible is God’s infallible Word, we will submit to its all-sufficient authority in every area of our lives and encourage each other to do the same. We will regularly read, study, and apply the Bible in our personal lives so that we might know God and what He desires for us. We will also gather in corporate worship and the various other teaching ministries to sit under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word and hold our leaders accountable to not stray from teaching God’s Word.
(Hebrews 4:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 4:2-5; Psalm 19:7-11, 119:105)
We will prioritize gathering together to worship our Triune God. We will not be merely spectators, but seek to be participators in praying together, singing together, and sitting under the authority of God’s Word together. We will give cheerfully, regularly, and generously to the support of the church.
We will partake of the two ordinances given by Jesus in Scripture, the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Partaking of The Lord’s Supper together helps us remember the past work of Christ on the cross, His present work as mediator at the Father’s right hand, and His future work when He returns for His people. Likewise, in observing believers being baptized by immersion, we will be reminded of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and His promise that for those who identify with Him will be resurrected with Him.
In the event that we are led away from this local church, we will actively seek to join another church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
(Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 1 Peter 4:10; Romans 6:5-11)
We desire to see Christ exalted not only here in the local church, but in the homes of its members as well. Husbands will love and lead their wives and children sacrificially as Christ loved the Church and laid down His life for her. Wives will submit to their husbands as the Church is called to submit to Christ. Parents will strive to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of their family and friends.
(Deuteronomy 6:7-9; Ephesians 5:21-6:4; Colossians 3:18-21)
We gather together because of the Gospel. It creates community among believers and a culture where we not only know the Gospel, but strive to apply the Gospel to our everyday lives. We believe the Gospel is the doormat that greets people as they enter our gathering. Therefore, we will live lives that are Gospel-saturated and see to it that each gathering of the church is also Gospel-saturated.
(1 Peter 3:15; Galatians 2:14; Ephesians 2:18-22; 1 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 13:23)
Because prayer is essential to the spiritual life and growth of a believer and the church, we will pursue lives that are bathed in prayer. We will pray regularly for the Elders, Sunday School teachers, leaders, and the various ministries of the church. We will also seek to gather with brothers and sisters to pray for one another.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:5-7; Acts 2:41; James 5:16-18)
We believe that making disciples is vital to the church. Jesus’ last command will be our first concern–which is to make disciples. We will seek to invest in the spiritual lives of others, hold one another accountable, and spur one another on to love and good works.
(Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Titus 2:2-10; Hebrews 10:24)
Since we have experienced the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ, we believe that we are called to proclaim this love and grace to others. Therefore, we will walk with great intentionality in the world praying for and looking for opportunities to tell of God’s only means of salvation through Jesus Christ. We will pray for our local community, our state, our nation, people all over the world, and all those who are currently serving as missionaries and faithfully proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We also affirm to give of our time, resources, spiritual gifts, and money in a sacrificial manner consistent with the Gospel and for its progress.
(2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Matthew 28:18-20)
Date: _______________________
The following paragraphs summarize the above covenant and will be recited together in corporate worship before partaking of the Lord’s Supper together as well as before our Members’ Meetings.