Church Covenant
Having
been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ
as our Saviour and, on the profession of our faith, 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 God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into
covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We
engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian
love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and
comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to 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 all nations.
We
also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our
children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk
circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our
engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting,
and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, destructive drugs
or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; to be zealous in our
efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
We
further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one
another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate
Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to
take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of
our Saviour to secure it without delay.
We
moreover engage that when we remove 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.