Church Covenant with Scripture Citations

The responsibilities of church membership are summarized in the church Covenant as follows:

Preamble

Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith in Him to the glory of our Father in Heaven, and having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of the Triune God and His church gathered here, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this Covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit…

A. To walk together in Christian love;
B. To gather regularly, whether in groups of three, twelve, seventy or a multitude to glorify God through worship, expression of our gratefulness, study of God’s Word, and prayer; to seek counsel, spiritual encouragement and strength, sharpening of our minds, and to develop our fruits of the Spirit;
C. To pray with and for one another, sharing our burdens, sorrows, and joys;
D. To engage regularly in personal Bible reading, prayer and reflection;
E. To disciple our children, youth and adults in the Christian faith;
F. To exercise Christian care and watchfulness over one another;
G. To be thoughtful and courteous to one another; to be slow to take offense, always ready for reconciliation so the church can be a refuge and place of counter-cultural peace;
H. To guard the spiritual and Scriptural purity, peace, and prosperity of the Church, and to promote its usefulness as a witness to the saving grace of God and Christ Jesus;
I. To assist, through the gifts of the Spirit, in the work of the Church and to promote its usefulness as a witness to the saving grace of God and Christ Jesus;
J. To walk purposefully in the world, to provide things honest in the sight of all men, to be faithful in engagements, exemplary in conduct, denying ungodliness and worldly lust;
K. To earnestly pray and encourage others to the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord;
L. To love and to pray for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as unbelievers;
M. To contribute, as the Lord directs, to the financial support of the Church, the relief of the needy, and evangelism of all people;
N. To purpose that when we remove ourselves from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this Covenant and the principles of God’s word.

A. To walk together in Christian love;

John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Colossians 3:14 –  “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 – Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Galatians 5:16 – So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 –  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 28:18-19 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have  commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Leviticus 19:18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

B. To gather regularly, whether in groups of three, twelve, seventy or a multitude to glorify God through worship, expression of our gratefulness, study of God’s Word, and prayer; to seek counsel, spiritual encouragement and strength, sharpening of our minds, and to develop our fruits of the Spirit;

Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Psalm 133:11 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

C. To pray with and for one another, sharing our burdens, sorrows, and joys;

James 5:16 – “Pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
James 5:13-18 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray
for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Psalm 55:2 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

D. To engage regularly in personal Bible reading, prayer and reflection;

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
(Joshua 1:8) Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

E. To disciple our children, youth and adults in the Christian faith;

Matthew 28:19-20 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “These commandments…are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.”
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
Prov 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

F. To exercise Christian care and watchfulness over one another;

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Galatians 6:1 – “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.”
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

G. To be thoughtful and courteous to one another; to be slow to take offense, always ready for reconciliation so the church can be a refuge and place of peace;

Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Ephesians 4:2-3 – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Colossians 3:12-1 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
James 1:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
Proverbs 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

H. To guard the spiritual and Scriptural purity, peace, and prosperity of the Church;

Ephesians 4:15 – “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
2 Timothy 2:21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Proverbs 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

I. To assist, through the gifts of the Spirit, in the work of the Church and to promote its usefulness as a witness to the saving grace of the Father through Christ Jesus;

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Ephesians 4:11-12 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
1 Corinthians 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

J. To walk purposefully in the world, to be honest and faithful in engagements, exemplary in conduct, denying ungodliness and worldly lust;

Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live selfcontrolled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
John 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

K. To earnestly pray and encourage others to the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;

1 Timothy 2:1-3 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

L. To love and to pray for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as unbelievers;

1 John 4:7 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”
Romans 12:14-16 – ” Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.”
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
John 17:6-26 Jesus Prays for His Disciples 6I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for
the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the
world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. Jesus Prays for All Believers 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

M. To contribute, as the Lord directs, to the financial support of the Church, the relief of the needy, and evangelism of all people;

2 Corinthians 9:7 – “7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
(Matthew 28:18-20) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

N. To purpose that when we remove ourselves from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this Covenant and the principles of God’s word.

Philippians 1:27 – “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
Psalm 133:1 – “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect