PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES Worship Services: At Covenant weekend services are “seeker” oriented, believer relevant, and Christ-centered. They are designed to be a place for people to explore the claims of Christ and move toward a more personal relationship with God. The gospel is presented in a contemporary manner to reach a diverse audience. Membership: A person can become a member by acknowledging belief in Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior and profession of that decision via baptism (unless he/she has already been baptized by immersion). A person can join Covenant by indicating his/her desire to become a member on the “In Touch” card or by seeing one of the church leaders after a worship service. Baptism: Baptism is practiced as a sign and testimony of a new life and commitment to Christ. Covenant practices full immersion for its membership. If one joining has not previously been baptized by immersion, then he/she will be asked to participate in this ceremony at one of our regularly scheduled baptism services as a part of joining the church and demonstrating (or reaffirming) commitment to Christ. Rebaptism is not required for membership if one has been previously baptized by immersion. Infant baptism is not practiced; however, child dedications are performed. Communion/Lord’s Supper: The sacred tradition of communion is celebrated regularly throughout the year. Participation is open to all believers. Termination of Membership: Membership may be ended by request, moving, or death. It may also be terminated due to inactivity or due to a grievous, continuous, unrepentant behavior that does not acknowledge belief. Giving: Giving is considered a personal matter between the member and the Lord. A financial recorder maintains the records confidentially and only advises leaders of overall statistics. Members are encouraged to start with a “tithe” (one-tenth) and give beyond as the Lord leads. Church Government: Covenant practices “elder rule”. A team of ordained pastors jointly makes decisions regarding the spiritual direction of the church (Shepherding Management Team—SMT). Congregational endorsement is required for annual budgets, real estate property transactions, or to call additional elders or special assistants to the elders. While there is no formal “deacon” board or title, ministry heads regularly meet to conduct the day-to-day management of the church (Ministry Management Team—MMT). Social Action: We are opposed to abortion and other anti-Christian choices made by our governments, and occasionally highlight such issues. However, our members may have a range of views on such issues. Covenant’s primary focus is on leading individuals into a maturing relationship with Christ. Spiritual Gifts: Covenant encourages all believers to serve out their God given gifting. We believe that when one serves in his/her area of gifting, they find a peace in God’s will. Though not a “Pentecostal” style church, Covenant does not teach a Scriptural interpretation that certain gifts have ceased. We do not criticize practices of other churches in accordance with Scripture. Worship: At Covenant’s worship services, members are free to sit, stand, kneel, raise hands, speak a word of encouragement, or pray quietly to oneself. We also believe that worship is made complete through one’s daily service to God. Women: Covenant teaches that men and women are of equal value before God. At Covenant, women teach, direct ministries, “deacon”, usher, co-lead fellowship groups, etc. While of equal value, Covenant does believe the Scriptures teach God has placed women and men into different spiritual roles. At Covenant, women do not serve in roles that involve pastoral authority over men. Discrimination: Covenant opposes prejudice and discrimination. Individuals of all races, gender, and backgrounds are welcome. Marriage/Divorce: People who are divorced are not considered second-class citizens at Covenant. Our focus is the member seeking a relationship with Christ. However, we do endorse the sanctity of marriage and aggressively seek to help marriages in need. In counsel, divorce is supported in cases of adultery or desertion. Member Care: While Covenant might be considered a large church, caring for members on an individual basis is still a priority. This is accomplished through local shepherding groups called “Communities”. The communities meet weekly and are led by trained workers directly under Covenant’s Pastor Shepherding Team. Even if a member cannot attend a community meeting regularly, they may receive prayer and assistance through their local community.

STATEMENT OF FAITH From Covenant’s Constitution

1.  We teach that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired of God and inerrant in the original writing and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and life.

2. We teach one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. We teach that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man.

4. We teach that man was created in the image of God, and that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death which is separation from God.

5. We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.

6. We teach the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us as a High-Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate.

7. We teach the personal, bodily, visible, imminent return of Jesus Christ.

8. We teach that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again in the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.

9. We teach the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and in the conscious everlasting punishment of the lost.

10. We teach that a true believer is eternally secure, that he cannot lose his salvation, but the sin may interrupt the joy of fellowship with God and bring the loving discipline of the Heavenly Father.

11. We teach that the Holy Spirit is a person, is God, and possesses all the divine attributes. He dwells in all believers, baptizes, and seals all believers at the time of their salvation and fills them in response to confession of sin and yieldedness.

12. We teach that it is the goal of every Christian to grow in spiritual maturity through obedience to the Word of God and the indwelling Spirit.

Information for Covenant guests seeking to know more about what we teach: Theology Catechism Doctrine Confession These are words that can often spark an image of the Christian church as an exclusive organization that requires its members to fit a rigid mold. At Covenant, we hope that you will come to find not a surface “religion” with lofty, ivory tower rules and regulations, but a personal “relationship” with God that drives all our decisions and actions. At Covenant, we receive into membership anyone who acknowledges having entered into a personal relationship with Christ and who has been baptized by immersion. There is nothing to sign and no conditions, rules, or standards that can only be followed by an elite few. We believe that if one has been received by God, then they should be received by the local church. Members are simply encouraged to understand the basic teachings and practices of the church, and to support the overall Covenant vision.