CHURCH COVENANT
This is our church covenant that all members are asked to sign when they join the church.
Biblical Obligations of Elders and Members at North Avenue Church
Biblical Obligations of the Elders to the North Avenue Church Body
As shepherds and overseers of a local church, elders are entrusted with teaching, protecting, leading, equipping and caring for the corporate church body and her individual members. The following is an overview of the requirements for elders as spelled out within the Scriptures.
The elders covenant…
to help train up future elders and deacons according to the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
to prayerfully seek wisdom from the Lord in guiding our church community and stewarding her resources to the best of our ability based on our study of the Scriptures and our following of the Holy Spirit who inspired all Scripture (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
to care for the church and seek her growth in love, truth, holiness, and unity in the gospel (Matt. 28:16-20; Eph. 4:15-16; Col. 1:28; James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
to provide teaching and counsel from the whole of Scripture, whether that unchanging teaching is considered in season or out of season by our ever-changing culture (Acts 20:26-28; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Titus 2:1).
to equip the members of the church for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-16).
to be on guard against false teachers and teachings (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Tim. 1:3-7; 1 John 4:1).
to lovingly lead the process of biblical church discipline when necessary, for the glory of God, the good of the one disciplined, and the health of the church as a whole (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20).
to set an example and join members in fulfilling the obligations of church membership stated below (Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Pet. 5:3).
Biblical Obligations of the Members to the North Avenue Church Body
As those who have experienced the grace of a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to reflect the character of Christ through the pursuit of godly attitudes and actions and the rejection of those that are contrary to Scripture. The Bible refers to this reality as “living by the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1-17). The requirements of this membership covenant are in no way intended as an addition to the biblical obligations of a believer. Rather, this document functions primarily as an accessible yet non-exhaustive explanation of what the Scriptures teach about the obedience that saving faith produces (Gal. 5:6).
I covenant…
to submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final and decisive word on all issues of life and doctrine; of behavior and belief (Ps. 19:7-11; Ps. 119; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through a regular practice of the spiritual disciplines, including Bible reading, prayer and loving fellowship with the other members of our local church (Ps. 1:1-2; Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 9:24- 27; Eph. 5:1-21; 1 Thess. 5:12-22).
to follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the ordinances prescribed to His Church:
by being baptized after my conversion as a public display of the truth of my union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; Rom. 6:3-5).
by regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of Christ through communion (Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-34).
to regularly participate in the life of North Avenue Church by attending weekly services, engaging in gospel-centered community and serving the other members of this church. As Hebrews 10 says, we commit to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” (Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25; Titus 3:14).
To wisely steward the resources God has given me, including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances. This includes giving that is sacrificial, cheerful and voluntary (Matt. 25:14-30; Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).
to strive by the Holy Spirit’s grace and power to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:1-4; 1 Pet. 1:13-16). I make it my aim to put my ungodly attitudes and actions to death by the Spirit’s strength (Rom. 8:13-14).
Below are a few examples of actions addressed in the Scriptures:
I will practice complete chastity unless married and, if married, complete fidelity within heterosexual and monogamous marriage. This means, among other things, that regardless of my marital status, I will pursue purity and fight against lust and all sexual temptation toward immoral practices such as adultery, premarital sex, homosexual behavior, pornography and sexually perverted speech (Matt. 5:27-30; Rom. 13:11-14; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 6:5-20; 10:8; 10:13; Eph. 5:3-6; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).
If married, I will seek to preserve the gift of marriage and agree to walk through steps of marriage reconciliation at North Avenue Church (including meeting with the elders) before pursuing divorce from my spouse (Matt. 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10-11; see Paul’s concern for resolving legal matters within the assembly of the church if at all possible in 1 Cor. 6:1-8).
I will refrain from illegal drug use and drunkenness (Prov. 23:20-21; Rom. 13:1-5; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18; 1 Pet. 4:3).
I will fight my temptation to gossip, slander and cause disunity in the church (Ps. 133; Prov. 6:16-19; Rom. 1:28-32; 13:13; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:1-3; James 3:3-18; 4:1-12).
I will forgive from my heart offenses committed against me by others because I have been forgiven of so much more by Jesus (Matt. 18:23-35; Eph. 4:31-5:2; Col. 3:12-14).
to use my freedom in Christ to best serve and love others while resisting the temptation to abuse my liberty by presenting stumbling blocks to another (Rom. 14:14-23; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another,” Gal. 5:13).
to submit to the discipline of God through His Holy Spirit by:
following the biblical procedures for church discipline where sin is evident in another—the hope of such discipline being repentance and restoration (James 5:19-20).
receiving righteous and loving discipline when approached biblically by fellow believers (Ps. 141:5; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; Heb. 12:5-11).
to do the following when I sin:
confess my sin to God and to fellow believers (Ps. 32:1-6; Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:8-9).
repent and seek help to put my sin to death (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; James 5:16; 1 John 1:6-10).
to submit to the elders and other appointed leaders of the church and diligently strive for unity and peace within the church (Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5).
to do the following should I leave the church for righteous reasons:
to notify the elders (Heb. 13:17).
to seek another church with which I can carry out my biblical responsibilities as a believer (Heb. 10:24-25).
*Material originally adapted from www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/articles/membership-covenant Sept 21, 2017.