With the concept of Church Membership losing ground in American Christianity so is the concept of a Church Covenant.
“A what?” you might be asking…
I said, “A church covenant.”
“A church covenant — what’s that?”
Hey, I’m glad you asked!
Simply put, a church covenant is an agreement by members of a particular church family as to what they expect from each other, how they will care for one another, how they will work together, etc. In many churches it is something that each candidate for membership signs and, in many circles, it is read at the beginning of each business meeting to remind the membership of their covenant to each other.
Mark Dever at www.9marks.org says that a church covenant can be described in 5 ways…
- A church covenant is a promise - a promise made to God, to a local church, and to one’s self.
- A church covenant is a summary of how we agree to live. While our statement of faith is a good summary of what we believe, our church covenant is a summary of how we agree to live – more importantly, it is a summary of how God would have us live. It does not include every explicit command regarding obedience, but it does give a general summary of what it means to live as a disciple of Christ.
- A church covenant is a sign of commitment – a commitment to God, to His church, and to personal holiness.
- A church covenant is an ethical statement. Historian Charles W. DeWeese writes, “A church covenant is a series of written pledges based on the Bible which church members voluntarily make to God and to one another regarding their basic moral and spiritual commitments and the practice of their faith” (Baptist Church Covenants, p. viii). One theologian calls church covenants the “ethical counterpart to confessions of faith.” A church covenant can be an important part of applying a Christian worldview to every aspect of our lives. Inherent in the purpose of a church covenant is the understanding that church membership involves being held accountable to live in a manner consistent with a common understanding of Scripture.
- A church covenant is a biblical standard. A church covenant is helpful in a church that is practicing Biblical church discipline. As members of a church, we exhort one another to live holy lives, and we challenge brothers and sisters persisting in sin.
Well, did you know that we at CVFirst have a church covenant? I can hear the seniors snickering at this point saying something like…
“Of course we have a church covenant. We used to talk about it often and we even recited it at special meetings. It is you younger whipper-snappers that didn’t want to use it…that’s why you are only just finding out about it.”
And, they are probably right on the mark. Much of our American Christianity has abandoned the place and purpose of a Church Covenant…So, I am going to stick my head out and offer you our CVFirst church covenant, established long before my coming to serve as Senior Pastor 3 1/2 years ago…
CVFirst Family Covenant
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with First Baptist’s statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the First Baptist Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
…By acting in love toward other members
…By refusing to gossip
…By following the leaders
- Romans 15:5, I Peter 1:22, Ephesians 4:49, Hebrews 13:17.
2. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH
…By praying for its growth and health
…By being involved with unbelievers
…By inviting the unchurched to attend
…By warmly welcoming those who visit
- Thessalonians 1:2, Luke 14:23, Romans 15:7
3. I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
…By discovering my gifts and talents
…By being equipped to serve by my pastors
…By developing a servant’s heart
- I Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:11-12, Philippians 2:3,4,7
4. I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH
…By attending faithfully
…By giving regularly
…By living a godly life
- Hebrews 10:25, Philippians 1:27, I Corinthians 16:2, Leviticus 27:30
Why would a growing Christian not want to be a part of a church committed to these values?
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My church covenant states “We believe that we hold the high privilege and the great responsibilities of those whose lives have been changed by God. Therefore, with joined voices we now commit ourselves to God and to one another.” I think this is a powerful and beautiful statement.
Like you said, who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?
Sarah,
I like it. The strength of our bond for God and one another is critical to us being a local fellowship of believers. We know that God is committed to us, and we need to know that our church family is committed to us too.
I found this and wanted to ask a few questions on signing covenants and agreements. I personally do now know your church or any of you, but i have a personal delimna.
I am being asked to sign a statement in order to continute singing on the vocal team and wiht the band. I have read over it and two things come to mind.
in looking over scripture, which is my standard for thinking and believing and living, I cannt find anything on signing a statement such as this. So in my effort to be biblical i told them i cannot sign it unless i can find a biblical principle on which to base this. I cant see Jesus saying to the disciples – come follow me and ill make you fishers of men — and um by the way – will you sign this statement so we will all know where we stand and what you believe.
We all go through times where we like Peter – Thomas – or even Judas – - – -
Also in the statement i am being asked to sign there is a statement that says (paraphrased) I will not do anything to bring shame to Jesus. This statement causes me alot of grief and to me – its not biblical – is it possible to bring shame to Jesus – the one true God and our saviour.
There are more thoughts here but i would love to get this groups opinion on the matter. I am searching my heart and am seeking council – I have to know that this is biblical.
Thanks for listening (reading) and for your time and thoughts should you choose to respond.
Lee,
That’s a good and common question. My initial reaction to the kinds of forms that you are talking about is that they force the individual to do some soul searching, to realize the high call of even being on platform at a church as a part of a worship team. It is a ministry with great responsibilities. I think the bottom line purpose for the statement you are struggling with is simply to assure those who are leading that the orientation of your life is to pursue God, love Him, learn from Him and about Him and to live in such a way that He would be pleased.
As to the “shame” issue, you might be looking at it the wrong way. I don’t know of any more shame that Christ can experience than hanging on a cross. We do, however, tarnish His name or reputation when we are not taking seriously our walk with Him.
That is what makes a covenant signable…it really is an agreement to a pursuit of God and to the support and help that God has provided in and through His church.
So, although you are right, Jesus didn’t ask the Disciples to sign a statement, it is simply a way of being a church that is functioning decently and in order…and trying to shepherd you as an attender and fellow servant.
I don’t think that it is unbiblical any more than giving you a set of envelopes for your weekly giving. It may be non-biblical, as many things are, but that doesn’t make it wrong or something that should scare you too much.
Now, of course, you must come to a conclusion yourself. I would suggest talking to the leader (the one giving you the statement) and let them know that you desire to be faithful to the content and the tone of the statement…that might open up some further discussion and understanding on their behalf.
Of course, when we sin we tarnish the Lord’s reputation, and that will happen daily since we are growing in our Christlikeness. But, someone who is part of platform ministry should seriously consider how awesome a responsibility it is that they have.
Hope my ramblings are a help…
Rod
We had a discusion in our sunday school today about the church covenant. Do you know who firts wrote it and when?
Thank you for your time!
I am glad to see this website. I attend a non-denominational church. I am a licensed minister and a seminarian stude at Southern Methodist Univerdity (SMU). I have a problem with only o ne statement in my church covenant. Here goes: It states that “I will attned churh weejly at ________ Community Church.” Well, my husband and I travel alot. However, I attend church every sunday that I am in town. I dod not skip church, I have been in church all my life. I love church and the fellowship there. I have been taught what a covenant is, who the parties are and the consequences of breaking a covenant. Here is my problem: Whenever I am out of town, I feel guilt becasue I am not a church. If I sign this covenant, I am promising GOD that I will be at this specific church every sunday. I know that this will not happen. I do repent to GOD for breaking the covenant. I feel that the covenant is outting me in bondage the way it is written. I have had a meeting with the Pasots and they indicated that that is the way GOD wanted them to write it, but I do believe that. HELP, I will be faced with this covenant again in a couple of weeks. What do I do?
I recently signed a church covenant and now feel in bondage to it. That lead to me doing some research which I wish I had done prior to signing it. I’m starting to think signing a church covenant is probably NOT biblical for reasons that are outlined in these articles. Disclaimer: I do not agree with everything that is being said in these articles about the direction the church is heading and of the church haven’t impure motives, however, I do agree with what is being said about reasons it would not be a good idea to sign a covenant.
http://thinkerup.blogspot.com/2006/08/should-you-sign-church-covenant_30.html
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/shepherding.htm
http://www.thepropheticyears.com/comments/Our%20Church%20covenant.htm
Just thought some people might want to see this as they are making their consideration. Like I said, I have signed a covenant and now feel “stuck” in following through rather than joyfully serving the Lord in the place I have committed. Praying for direction and rightness in attitude on this one!