 |
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we
believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our
Savior; 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, angels 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 and holiness; to
give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above
ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and
regularly, as God has prospered us, towards it expenses, for the support
of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor
and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of
difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a
contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will
cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.
We also engage to
maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the word of
God: to religiously educate our children the word of God; to seek the
salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the
world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the
service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good
will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to
watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every
good word and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly
exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other’s joys,
and with tender sympathy bear on another’s burden and sorrows; to
cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but
always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the
Savoir in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay;
and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to
the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous
light.
When we
remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some
other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the
principles of God’s word.
|