Covenant

The purpose of our church covenant is as follows;

(1)  It is a promise, identifying our expectations of each other and how we will live together as a local church. 

(2)  It holds out a biblical standard by which we determine to live.

(3)  It forms the ethics and moral principles of our worldview.

By featuring this covenant in our life together, we strive to protect ourselves from individual and corporate sin, spurring one another on to live in the light of a greater covenant, one initiated by love, sealed by sacrifice, and kept for eternity by our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

COVENANT  1

Believing the Spirit of God has led us to repent 2 and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour,3 and having been baptised upon our profession of faith 4, in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, 5  we do now, as one body in Christ, 6 relying on His gracious help, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.7

With the help of the Holy Spirit 8 we will walk together in Christian love, 9 as is fitting for the members of a Christian Church.10We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,7and with affectionand attention we will watch out for one another other,11caring,12instructing and encouraging in the ways of the Lord.13  We will rejoice at each others’ happiness and endeavour with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.20 We will be slow to take offence14 and eagerly desire reconciliation.15We will not forsake meeting together,16nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others.17

We will do our best to bring up those under our care in the ways of the Lord,18and by a pure and loving example seek the salvation of our family and friends.19 We will determine, with God’s help, to live carefully in the world21 by denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts,22 remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave,23we are now under a special obligation to lead a new and holy life.24

We will work together25for the continuation of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church26as we sustain its worship,27ordinances,28discipline,29and doctrines.30We will contribute cheerfully and regularly31to the support of the ministry,32 the expenses of the church,33helping the poor,34and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.35

Whenever we do move on from this place, we will unite with another local church as soon as possible, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.36 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.37