Having by God’s grace trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior,1 we desire that Christ would be pleased and preeminent in all things,2 that he would bless and use this church so that all praise and glory would be his,3 and that we would be complete in him.4 Therefore, we do now, in the presence of God, his angels, and this assembly, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.5
We will by God’s grace seek to grow in our faith through the daily study of the Word and prayer.6 We will be separated unto God in our thoughts, desires, appearance, and activities, guarding ourselves against those things that are sinful, could tempt us to sin, or that do not promote or are not consistent with holiness.7 We will be witnesses for Jesus Christ by spreading the gospel and possessing a testimony that supports the gospel.8 We will make church attendance a priority, striving to attend as many of its services as possible.9 We will fulfill our family responsibilities, each doing his part to please Christ in our homes and promote godliness.10 We will live godly lives among unbelievers and be good neighbors and citizens.11
Furthermore, we will endeavor by the Spirit’s help to uphold and promote the doctrines of this church, the public ministry of the Word, observe its ordinances, and follow our leaders.12 We will serve the Lord faithfully, using the gifts and abilities he has given for the growth, edification, maturity, and protection of this body.13 We will pray daily for the members and ministry of this church14 and faithfully, cheerfully, and proportionally give of our income to the Lord for the support of this church and the Cause of Christ.15
At all times we will demonstrate toward each member Christian love, humility, patience, and concern in our attitudes, speech, and actions.16 We will partake of our mutual joys and sorrows, lovingly giving of our material substance for pressing needs.17 We will pursue those things that encourage believers to be faithful rather than trouble their consciences, disturb their faith, or cause them to sin.18 We will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, frequently exhort one another, and as the case may require faithfully warn, rebuke, and admonish one another with kindness and wisdom.19 When we receive correction from a brother in Christ, we will not reject or resent such but receive it with humility, careful self-examination, and necessary confession and repentance.20 We will jealously guard the Spirit-given unity of this body, refusing to participate in or condone gossip, strife or dissension.21 In any personal disagreements or offenses, we will seek resolution and readily forgive each other rather than hold a grudge.22
We will diligently learn God’s will through his Word and our leaders’ counsel in matters of doctrine and practice,23 seeking their guidance if doubts arise regarding the ability to uphold this church’s doctrines and covenant.24 In the event we must move from this place, we will seek to unite with a church of like faith and practice, and if such a church does not exist we will strive to begin such a work.25
1 Acts 13:48; Rom 10:9-10
2 2 Cor 5:9; Eph 5:10; Col 1:10, 18
3 Eph 3:21
4 Col 1:28
5 Gal 6:1-5; Phil 1:27; Heb 3:12-13
6 Col 1:9-10a; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 5:11-14; 1 Pet 2:2; Jude 20-21
7 Rom 12:1-2; 13:14; Phil 4:8; 2 Tim 2:19; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 2:9-12
8 Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:11-21; Phil 2:14-16
9 Acts 2:42; Heb 10:25
10 Eph 5:22-6:4; Col 3:18-21
11 Rom 13:1; Gal 6:10; Col 4:5; 1 Thess 4:11-12; 1 Tim 3:7
12 Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 11:23-26; 16:16; 1 Thess 5:12-13; 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:1-5; Heb 13:17; Jude 3
13 Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:7; Eph 4:11-16; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 4:11
14 Eph 6:18-20
15 2 Cor 9:6-15; 3 John 5-8
16 Rom 12:15-16; 1 Cor 13:5-7; Phil 2:1-7; 1 John 2:9-11
17 Acts 2:44-45; 1 Cor 12:26; Jas 2:14-17; 1 John 3:13-18
18 Rom 14:13, 19-20; 1 Cor 8:7-9, 12-13; 9:12; 10:23-33; Phil 2:1-4
19 Matt 18:15-16; Rom 15:14; Gal 6:1-2; 1 Thess 5:11, 14; Heb 3:13; 10:24-25; 12:12-13; James 5:19-20
20 Psa 32:3-5; Prov 3:11-12; 6:23; 12:1; 13:18; 15:5, 10, 12, 31-32; 25:12; 27:6; 28:13; 29:23; 1 Jn 1:9; Rev 2-3
21 Eph 4:1-6; Prov 11:13; 20:19; 2 Cor 12:20; Titus 2:3; Eph 4:29-32
22 Matt 5:23-24; 18:15; Rom 12:17-19; 1 Cor 6:1-8; 2 Cor 2:10-11; Eph 4:32; Jas 5:9
23 Prov 11:14; 19:20; Col 1:18; 2 Pet 1:3
24 Amos 3:3; Acts 15:37-41
25 Heb 10:25; Acts 11:19-26
