Church Covenant

Having been brought by God’s grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having been baptized upon our profession of that faith, we now enter in this covenant with one another in the presence of God. (1 Thess 1:3)

In all we do, we will aim to glorify and enjoy the God of our salvation, who has created everything, and governs all creation according to the counsel of His will. (Eph 1:11; Rom 11:36; 1 Cor 10:31;Col 1:16-17)

We affirm and agree that our teaching and practices will be in accordance with, and not contrary to, Holy Scripture and the Statement of Faith of Grace Fellowship. (1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:13-14; 2 Thess 2:15; Titus 1:9; Heb 10:23)

We will eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by walking together in love, rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn, as well as forgiving each other as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven us. (Luke 17:3; Eph 4:1-3; 29, 31; Col 3:12-13; Gal 5:16, 25; 6:2; Rom 12:15; 1 Thess 5:11; 1 Pet 1:22)

We will seek to live in a way that reflects the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our family, friends, and the watching world. We will joyfully submit to the authority and accountability of the church with the goal of highlighting God’s redeeming grace in our lives by encouraging and exhorting each other to put away sins and put on Christ-likeness. (Heb 3:13-14; Eph 4:20-24; Matt 18:15-18; 1 Cor 1:1-13)

We affirm the call to train our children in the instruction of the Lord, so that future generations will know the truths of Scripture and place their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. (Deut 6:7; 11:19; Prov 22:6; Psa 78:5-7; Eph 6:4; 2 Tim 1:5; 3:15; 1 Pet 3:3-4)

We will strive to live self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives, seeking God’s help in refraining from all drugs, food, drink, and practices that may bring unwarranted harm to ourselves or the Body of Christ by jeopardizing our own faith or that of another. (Rom 14:1-23; 1 Cor 8:1-13; Gal 5:22-24; Titus 2:12-13; 1 Pet 1.14-16)

We will seek to maintain a close relationship with the Lord through the practice of personal disciplines, regular personal and corporate Bible study, prayer, as well as, but not limited to, the practice of other spiritual disciplines such as evangelism and fasting. (Psa 119:97, 105; Matt 6:16-18;28: 19-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Thess 5:16-18)

We will gather together regularly in worship to support and treasure the Biblical preaching of the whole counsel of God, to pray, and to faithfully observe the two ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Acts 2:38; 1 Cor 5:13; 11:23-26; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 4:2; Gal 6:1; Heb 10:24-25)

We will cheerfully and generously give our time, financial resources, and abilities to the ministry of the church, to the relief of those in need, and to personal evangelism and discipleship. (Matt 28:19- 20; Luke 12:33; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31; 2 Cor 9:7)

Our only hope in upholding this covenant is through the power of the Holy Spirit. We will not allow our weaknesses and failures to deter us from our intention to abide by these Christian standards. We will pursue holiness through genuine repentance and persevering faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we owe all obedience both now and forevermore. (Matt 5:6; Phil 3:12-14; Heb 12:1-4; 1 Pet 1.14-19)