Introduction
The Coram Deo Baptist Church membership covenant is birthed out of our love for the church body and its individual members whom we hope will experience the fullness of joy which in found in Christ as they join the body. The primary purpose of this covenant is to serve as a teaching document with three functions:
- To clarify the biblical obligations and expectations for the elders of Coram Deo Baptist Church and the individual members.
- To establish the teaching and doctrinal parameters of Coram Deo Baptist Church.
- To serve as a tool for reflection and growth toward holiness.
Church Covenant
- Biblical Obligations of Coram Deo Baptist Church Elders to the Church Body
As shepherds, elders, and overseers of a local church, Elders are entrusted with protecting, leading, equipping and caring for the local church and the individual members. The Elders covenant…
- to appoint Elders and deacons (including staff members who serve in these offices) according to the criteria assigned to them in the Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
- to prayerfully seek God’s will for our church community and steward her resources to the best of our ability based on our study of the Scriptures and following the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
- to care for the church and seek her growth in grace, truth and love (Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 1:28; James 5:14)
- to provide teaching and counsel from the whole of Scripture (Acts 20:27-28; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 5:14)
- to equip the members of the church for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16)
- to be on guard against false teachers and teachings (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 1 John 4:1)
- to lovingly exercise discipline when necessary, for the glory of God, the good of the one disciplined and the health of the church as a whole (Matthew 18-15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20)
- to set an example and join members in fulfilling the obligations of church membership stated below (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 5:3)
2. Biblical Obligations of the Members to the Church Body
As those who have experienced the grace of a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, I covenant…
- to submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final arbiter on all issues (2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
- to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of spiritual disciplines (Ephesians 5:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 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
- by regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of Christ through the Lord’s supper
- to regularly participate in the life of Coram Deo Baptist Church by attending weekly gatherings, and living on mission in my family, community, and job (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25; Titus 3:14)
- to steward the resources God has given me, including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances. This includes regular financial giving, service and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful and voluntary (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
- by God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ. Believers should strive to put certain attitudes and actions to death while stirring and stimulating love and good deeds through the Spirit.
- I will practice complete chastity unless married and, if married, complete fidelity within heterosexual and monogamous marriage. I will pursue purity and abstain from sexually immoral practices such as adultery, premarital sex and pornography and avoid situations that would be particularly tempting in this regard. (Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; 10:8; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).
- I will seek to preserve the gift of marriage and agree to walk through the steps of marriage reconciliation at Coram Deo Baptist Church before pursuing divorce from my spouse (Matthew 19:1-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
- I will refrain from illegal drug use, drunkenness, gossip, and other sinful behavior as the Bible dictates (Romans 1:28-32; 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18; James 3:2-18)
- to take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, especially actions or situations that could present stumbling block to another (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)
- 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.
- receiving righteous and loving discipline when approached biblically by fellow believers (Psalm 141:5; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Hebrews 12:5-11).
- to do the following when I sin: confess my sin to God and to fellow believers, repent and seek help to put my sin to death (Romans 8:13; Colossians 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 (Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5).
- to do the following should I leave the church for righteous reasons: notify the appropriate staff member and seek another church with which I can carry out my biblical responsibilities as a believer.