What IS A MEMBERS’ COVENANT?

A members’ covenant is a document outlining commitments that we make to each other. These covenants have a long history in churches, especially in those churches which are congregational. If the congregation is the highest earthly aiuthority in the church (rather than the pastor(s) or a deacon board or a bishop), then it’s important for all the members of the congregation to strive to live faithfully to Jesus.

Our members’ covenant is has its foundation in one particular, historic Baptist covenant with slight alternations to modernize the language and to touch on a couple matters the original dind’t seem to address clearly enough. But we can go back further: In truth, every commitment we make to each other in this document is rooted in the very pages of scripture.

Members’ Covenant of Gateway Church Downtown Cleveland

Having, as we trust, been brought by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We will devote ourselves to loving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, exercising an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

We will maintain personal and household devotions that our lives be marked by the regular reading of scripture and by prayer, both for our own selves and one another.

We will endeavor to bring up any who may be under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example and in bold and gentle word to seek the salvation of our family and friends.

We will rejoice at each others’ happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.

We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.

We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We will, should we move from this place, unite with some other church as soon as possible where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

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