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Church Covenants: Yes or No?


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I am aware that many IFB churches, (I don't know about others), have Church Covenants, and to be a member, one must sign the covenant and promise to follow it.

Is this biblical? Are we under only the covenant made with Jesus Christ on the cross, and should that be sufficient, or can anyone point to somewhere in scripture that local churches should have a covenant, requiring certain behaviors by their members?

I can see where it would be a nice thing to have everyone understand at the outset of joining a local church that certain behaviors are expected, and others are discouraged, but is a 'covenant' biblical? Or can such a thing be considered liberty for a church? Does a covenant go against where the Bible says that our yea should be yea, and our nay, nay?

With my goal of obtaining a greater unity in our church, I have considered a covenant of some sort, though I am not sure that a covenant, per se, is the way to go. I believe a church, a pastor, ought to teach the way and lead as an example, but a covenant would be perhaps a step beyond that, setting a fear in the heart of 'If I don't always obey, I'll get kicked out". I have heard of female teachers in Christian schools being kicked out because on their own time they wore a pair of pants, and were seen by the pastor. I don't see that every aspect of a believer's life should be under constant monitoring, and I think maybe a covenant might set a precedent for that sort of thing.

So, where do others stand on such an idea?

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45 minutes ago, Ukulelemike said:

I am aware that many IFB churches, (I don't know about others), have Church Covenants, and to be a member, one must sign the covenant and promise to follow it.

Is this biblical? Are we under only the covenant made with Jesus Christ on the cross, and should that be sufficient, or can anyone point to somewhere in scripture that local churches should have a covenant, requiring certain behaviors by their members?

I can see where it would be a nice thing to have everyone understand at the outset of joining a local church that certain behaviors are expected, and others are discouraged, but is a 'covenant' biblical? Or can such a thing be considered liberty for a church? Does a covenant go against where the Bible says that our yea should be yea, and our nay, nay?

With my goal of obtaining a greater unity in our church, I have considered a covenant of some sort, though I am not sure that a covenant, per se, is the way to go. I believe a church, a pastor, ought to teach the way and lead as an example, but a covenant would be perhaps a step beyond that, setting a fear in the heart of 'If I don't always obey, I'll get kicked out". I have heard of female teachers in Christian schools being kicked out because on their own time they wore a pair of pants, and were seen by the pastor. I don't see that every aspect of a believer's life should be under constant monitoring, and I think maybe a covenant might set a precedent for that sort of thing.

So, where do others stand on such an idea?

IMO it is far from Scriptural Mike. Guide them in how to live for Jesus through your preaching. Signing a document won't make them walk in the Spirit, it will just make them more religious through rules and ritual.

Sad about the pants thing, that makes little Scriptural sense. If the pants were made for women and not form fitting/immodest, it is hardly sinful.

Edited by wretched
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We used to belong to a Missionary Baptist Church, and they had the Church Covenant on the wall...close to the pulpit area. It wasn't just on the wall...it was huge...about 10 feet tall x 6 feet wide (just an estimate there).

No one paid attention to it, and no one seemed interested in following it. I remember there was one section that said the members wouldn't drink alcohol or work in an establishment that sold alcohol. Not sure about the drinking part, but there were lots of folks who worked at grocery stores (including Wal Mart) that sold alcohol, and they were never reprimanded or kicked out.  :nuts:

My personal opinion is "no church covenant". I think the Bible, its teachings, and the teaching of it are all that is needed.

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“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” - Amos 3:3

“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 15:6

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” - 2 Corinthians 13:11

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” - Philippians 1:27

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” - Philippians 2:2

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” - 1 Peter 3:8

 

Without a church covenant there is confusion.  God is not the author of confusion.  New Christians and new members need to know where your local church stands on the universal and universal invisible church.  They need to know where your local church stands on divorce, marriage, the Lord's Supper and Baptism among other doctrines and responsibilities.

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1 hour ago, swathdiver said:

Without a church covenant there is confusion.  God is not the author of confusion.  New Christians and new members need to know where your local church stands on the universal and universal invisible church.  They need to know where your local church stands on divorce, marriage, the Lord's Supper and Baptism among other doctrines and responsibilities.

Wouldn't that be a Doctrinal Statement...or Statement of Faith (as many now call it)?

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21 minutes ago, No Nicolaitans said:

Wouldn't that be a Doctrinal Statement...or Statement of Faith (as many now call it)?

Maybe a written/posted doctrinal statement? Though covering all the items Swath suggested is really a much more indepth statement than many churches do, dealing with issues such as divorce, marriage, baptism, Lord's Supper, etc.

Now I teach on all these things-that's just my thing-if I give regular sermons/lessons on the various doctrines, is it necessary to write each down and post it? I guess I kind of see the Bible, particularly the New Testament, as our church covenant, seeing as it covers everything-it is getting people to read it and learn it that can be a challenge.

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It can take some time to get back to preaching on these topics as you well know.  My local church has a handbook for new members that is very much like the Baptist Handbook that Pastor Moser has on the Baptist Challenge website.  A link to it cannot be posted right now as the website is under reconstruction.

Such a doctrinal statement/statement of faith will bring new members up to speed very quickly on where that local church stands rather than them waiting a year or more to hear it from the pulpit or to burden the pastor with multiple inquiries from as many new members repeating the same thing.

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When I first became the pastor, they had a handout for new members, but a lot of it was a little closer to southern Baptist than IFB. Guess I need to dig one up and go over it. But that's a good idea, putting together a book. Should have done that before.

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When I was still in Alaska my church there had a church covenant that was framed and hanging on the wall. We also had small ones that we could give to people to put in their Bibles if they chose. I still have one in my Bible

Ours was from the Baptist Sunday School Committee in Texarkana. It outlines what we as church members covenant together to do. We hung the large one on the wall so that new folks could quickly see what we stood for, rather than getting an unexpected surprise.

This is the text of that 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 throughout 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 Savior. 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.

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3 minutes ago, Jim_Alaska said:

This is the text of that 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 throughout 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 Savior. 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.

I "think" that's the exact same one that I spoke of earlier!

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12 minutes ago, Ukulelemike said:

I like that. It isn't "THOU SHALT DO SUCH AND SUCH!!". The wording is more of, This is how a believer ought to live their life and what we seek to do"

I agree Mike. There are many church covenants and statements of faith out there. We chose this one because it came the closest to what we believe and wanted. Although it is put out by the ABA, the wording was what we were looking for and this fit the bill. Their book store sells many different covenants, so I don't know if this one is the one they actually use or not, not that it matters at all.

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On 4/18/2016 at 7:38 PM, Jim_Alaska said:

When I was still in Alaska my church there had a church covenant that was framed and hanging on the wall. We also had small ones that we could give to people to put in their Bibles if they chose. I still have one in my Bible

Ours was from the Baptist Sunday School Committee in Texarkana. It outlines what we as church members covenant together to do. We hung the large one on the wall so that new folks could quickly see what we stood for, rather than getting an unexpected surprise.

This is the text of that 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 throughout 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 Savior. 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.

This is really nice IMO. Throw in KJB, church attendance and some Biblical differences in men and women in behavior and appearance and you got a complete discipleship program you could teach in a church over a period of 12-16 weeks (Sunday Nights and/or Wednesdays maybe). For bigger churches, make it a Sunday School or Friday night training class over 12-16 weeks so you can thoroughly expose each area Scripturally to newborns. Or all those church members you often wonder about because they stopped growing while they were in diapers. This might just weed them out.

Edited by wretched
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Well, a constitution is generally done for legal purposes for a church that is incorporated as a 501C3 entity, which we are not. We DO have one because we used to be until I became the pastor, but mostly it concerns rules and regs for what members can and can't do. It isn't really a document with doctrines.

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