CHURCH COVENANT
As those who have experienced the grace of a new life by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to reflect the character of Christ through the pursuit of certain attitudes and actions and the rejection of others. The Scriptures refer to this reality as "living by the Spirit" (Rom 8). The requirements of this membership covenant are in no way intended as an addition to the biblical obligations of a believer. Rather, this document functions primarily as an accessible yet non-exhaustive explanation of what the Scriptures teach about the obedience that faith produces.
I covenant...
- to submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final arbiter on all issues.
(Ps 119; 2 Tim 3:14-17; Heb 4:12; 2 Pet 12-21
- to follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the ordinances prescribed to His Church:
- by being baptized after my conversion. (Matt 3:13-17, 28:19; Acts 2:38, 8:12, 10:48; Rom 6:1-5; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:4-6)
- by regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of Christ through communion. (Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26)
- to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of spiritual disciplines.
(Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor 9:24-27; Eph 5:1-21; 1 Thess 5:12-22)
- to regularly participate in the life of Cowan Mill Church by attending weekly services, engaging in gospel-centered community and serving those within and outside of this church.
(Acts 2:42-47; Heb 10:23-25; Titus 3:14)
- to steward the resources God has given me, including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances. This includes regular financial giving, service and participation in community that is sacrificial and cheerful.
(Matt 25:14-30; Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 8-9; 1 Pet 4:10-11)
- by God's grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ. Believers should strive to put certain attitudes and actions to death while stirring and stimulating love and good deeds through the Spirit.
(Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:1, 16; 1 Pet 1:13-16, 4:1-3)
- to refrain from such activities that the Scriptures would deem foolish.
(Rom 14:14-23)
- to take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, especially actions or situations that could present a stumbling block to another.
(1 Cor 8:1-13)
- to submit to the discipline of God through His Holy Spirit by:
- following the Biblical procedures for church discipline where sin is evident in another- the hope of such discipline being repentance and restoration.
- receiving righteous and loving discipline when approached biblically by fellow believers.
(Ps 141:5; Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:9-13; Heb 12:5-11)
- to do the following when I sin:
- confess my sin to God and to fellow believers.
- repent and seek help to put my sin to death.
(Rom 8:13; Col 3:5; Jas 5:16; 1 John 1:6-10)
- to submit to the elders and other appointed leaders of the church and diligently strive for unity and peace within the church.
(Eph 4:1-3; Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 5:5)
- To do the following should I leave the church for righteous reasons:
- to notify the church leadership. (1 Cor 14:40)
- to seek another church with which I can carry out my biblical responsibilities as a believer.