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 every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as
God has prospered us, toward its 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; 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 outwards 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 others
reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in
each others joys and with tender sympathy bear one anothers burdens 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 Savior 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."
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 every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as
God has prospered us, toward its 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; 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 outwards 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 others
reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in
each others joys and with tender sympathy bear one anothers burdens 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 Savior 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."