Church Covenant

  1. Having, as we trust, been brought by the Spirit of God to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to Him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other. (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 2:38)
  2. We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor fail to show hospitality as we are able. We will not neglect to pray for ourselves and others. (Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-47, 20:7; 1 Cor 16:1-2; 1 Tim 2:1-2; 1 Thess 5:17; 1 Pet 4:7-11)
  3. We will rejoice at each other’s happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows. (Gal 6:1-10; Rom 12:9-16)
  4. We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life. (Tit 2:11-14; Rom 6)
  5. We will gladly submit to and honor the elders of the church as they are faithful to Christ. We will each pursue the work of ministry by speaking the truth in love for the mutual upbuilding of the church. We will not mistake the work of ministry as being solely for the elders. We will recognize God has called every member
    to the work of ministry and gladly fulfill this calling. (Eph 4:1-16; 1 Thess 5:12-13; 1 Tim 5:17; Heb 13:7-17; 1 Pet 5:1-11)
  6. We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through our families, community, and all nations. (Matt 5:1-16, 28:18-20; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 1:3-8; 1 Cor 9:1-27; 2 Cor 9:6-15; Gal 6:6-10; Col 4:2-6; 1 Tim 5; Jam 2:14-16; 1 Jn 3:16-18)
  7. We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and, by a pure and loving example, to seek the salvation of our family and friends. We will also maintain family and private devotions to educate our children in the Christian faith and demonstrate the love of Christ in all our household relationships. (Deut 6:1-9; Rom 10:14-15; Eph. 5:22-6:4; Ps 118:15)
  8. We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace within the church. We will walk together in brotherly love as becomes the members of a Christian church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require. (Eph 4:1-16; 1 Jn; Mt 18:10-20; 1 Cor 5; Jam 5:19-20)
  9. We will be slow to take offense and quick to think the best of others. We will forsake gossip and slander and pursue biblical reconciliation without delay as needed. We will, if necessary, submit to biblically defined and regulated church discipline for the purpose of reconciliation with God and man. We accept that refusing to communicate or choosing to flee usurps the power of the church and breaks this covenant. (Prov 19:11; Matt 18:10-20; 1 Cor 5, 13:1-7; Eph 4:29-32; Jam 5:19-20)
  10. We will not move on from this church without significant biblical reasons, much prayer, substantial conversation with the elders, and pursuing the support of the congregation. We will, if we move from this assembly, 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. (Prov 11:14; Jam 4:13-17; 1 Thess 5:12-22; Acts 13:1-3)

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. (2 Cor 13:14)

*This document was created using resources from 9Marks.org and Hope Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC