A Community Covenant is a promise that we make to one another to practice behaviors that facilitate fellowship in a spirit of unity even when we disagree. It is “the conversation before the conversation” so our words will be full of grace and truth, as Jesus is full of grace and truth (John 1:14, 17). In our life together as a congregation, we can be guided by healthy, biblical norms of conduct in order to maintain clear communication, promote scriptural application within our congregation, and avoid personal assumptions. Therefore, we covenant together in these guidelines for loving relationships and biblical values to direct our ministry.
Guided by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit
Being guided by God’s Word and knowing that the Spirit can be quenched, we promise to open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit in all discernment processes for personal and corporate decision-making and actions (1 Thes. 5:19; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; John 16:13).
Committed to Relationships in our Mission Together
We commit to support one another, out of the overflow of our hearts, in being a missional people, reaching those who do not yet know the love of God and His message of salvation in Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19, Acts 8:1). We are committed to loving and encouraging relationships in our mission together (Heb. 3:13; 10:24-25). We are also committed to holy living, throwing off sin or anything else that gets in the way of God’s mission (Heb. 12:1; Matt. 18:7-9).
Maintain Clear Expectations and Responsibilities in Ministry
We agree to clarify roles and responsibilities while also submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. While being free to take initiative in ministry, we also agree to consider how our actions affect one another as we work together for God’s purposes (Eph. 5:21, Mark 13:34). We promise to honor and acknowledge one another’s gifts and abilities as we serve alongside those of different ages, genders, and ethnicities in pursuing God’s priorities in the church and in the world (1 Cor. 12:4-11). We also commit to respecting our leaders as called by God to oversee our congregation (Heb. 13:17, 1 Peter 5:5).
Practice Gracious, Loving, and Open Communication
We commit to communicating in a graciously transparent and open manner while, in humility, respecting the thoughts and opinions of others (Col. 4:6, 1 Peter 2:16-17, Gal. 5:22-23, Ps. 19:14). We also promise to maintain relationships of confidentiality in matters of personal and corporate concern when appropriate (Prov. 11:13).
Pursue Reconciliation and Unity
We accept disagreement and conflict as normal and natural. Pursuing unity, we agree to resist divisiveness, to extend grace and forgiveness, and to do our best to reconcile differences in a timely manner. Whenever any of us has a disagreement with or criticism of another, we will communicate directly with that person, we will speak for ourselves only, and we will communicate in love. (Matt. 18:15-18, 5:23,24; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Eph. 4:15) We recognize that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. This is Christ’s church, not ours, and we are one in Christ (Eph. 2:19-22; 4:3-6).