Church Member's Covenant
THE HOME CHURCH’S STATEMENT OF FAITH, MISSION, AND EXPECTATIONS AS A MEMBER.
CHURCH MEMBER'S COVENANT
What is a Covenant?
A covenant is generally defined as “a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.”
There are many examples of covenants in the Bible. A covenant is an acknowledgement to one’s responsibilities through a vow/promise.
Why a Covenant?
A covenant evidences the formal relationship that is taking place between the church member and the Church.
A covenant is generally defined as “a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.”
There are many examples of covenants in the Bible. A covenant is an acknowledgement to one’s responsibilities through a vow/promise.
Why a Covenant?
A covenant evidences the formal relationship that is taking place between the church member and the Church.
THE HOME CHURCH MEMBER'S COVENANT:
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with The Home Church’s statement of faith, mission, and expectations as a member, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with The Home Church as a church member.
In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
...By acting in love toward other members at The Home Church & House Church.
...By refusing to gossip
...By following the leaders (Pastors & Shepherds)
“So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (Romans 14:19 NLT)
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” (Hebrews 13:17 NLT)
...By praying for its growth
...By intentionally engaging the unchurched to attend The Home Church & House Church.
...By warmly welcoming and encouraging those who visit The Home Church & House Church.
“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2 NLT)
“So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” (Luke 14:23-24 NLT)
“Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” (Romans 15:7 NLT)
...By using my gifts to serve the members of The Home Church & House Church.
...By being equipped to serve by my Pastors and Shepherds.
...By developing a servant’s heart
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT)
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT)
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. ... Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being....” (Philippians 2:3-4, 7 NLT)
...By attending faithfully to The Home Church & House Church.
...By living a godly life
...By giving regularly
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27 NLT)
“On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.” (1 Corinthians 16:2 NLT)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV)
In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
...By acting in love toward other members at The Home Church & House Church.
...By refusing to gossip
...By following the leaders (Pastors & Shepherds)
“So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (Romans 14:19 NLT)
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” (Hebrews 13:17 NLT)
...By praying for its growth
...By intentionally engaging the unchurched to attend The Home Church & House Church.
...By warmly welcoming and encouraging those who visit The Home Church & House Church.
“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2 NLT)
“So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” (Luke 14:23-24 NLT)
“Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” (Romans 15:7 NLT)
...By using my gifts to serve the members of The Home Church & House Church.
...By being equipped to serve by my Pastors and Shepherds.
...By developing a servant’s heart
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT)
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT)
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. ... Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being....” (Philippians 2:3-4, 7 NLT)
...By attending faithfully to The Home Church & House Church.
...By living a godly life
...By giving regularly
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27 NLT)
“On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.” (1 Corinthians 16:2 NLT)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV)