Covenant Partnership
COVENANT PARTNERSHIP
Understanding the Covenant Partnership of Generational Hope Christian Center
1. The Name
The “Covenant Partnership” was so named to underscore the significance of two paramount truths that govern our relationships – both with the Lord Jesus Christ, and with one another – within the redeemed community. Firstly, we are people of Covenant! Covenant represents a commitment to “whatever it takes” to see a relationship work! It represents a willingness to commit to specific responsibilities, duties, or obligations in exchange for specific privileges of special relationship! Covenant people are loyal people! Dedicated people! Responsible people! As Christians, our covenant faithfulness is the reflection of the nature and character of God – the faithful God who keeps covenant – in our lives!
Secondly, we are Partners! Partners with Christ in the cause of the Gospel; and, subsequently, partners with one another. Partnership implies active participation and involvement. Partnership means sharing together common goals, common challenges, common experiences, common resources and common achievements. Partnership reminds us of the significance of our “togetherness” with one another in the economy of redemption!
Thus, the Covenant Partnership represents our commitment to Christ and to one another to behave ourselves responsibly as productive members of the Body of Christ in general, and of Generational Hope Christian Center in particular!
2. Purpose
The purpose of establishing the Covenant Partnership at Generational Hope Christian Center is three-fold:
A. To challenge and encourage everyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior to also grow in their spiritual maturity, and in their personal devotion to Christ as their Lord (“whole-life controller”)!
B. To establish a clear set of fundamental scriptural commitments, the acceptance of which shall identify an individual as a Covenant Partner and recognized member of Generational Hope Christian Center in Maple Valley, Washington.
C. To remind us all of the great importance of our “togetherness” in the local church, and of our commitment and devotion to Christ as it is expressed in specific commitments to love, encourage, serve, and protect one another in the Generational Hope Christian Center family.
3. Accountability
The pastoral leadership of the church will be committed to supporting and encouraging you to honor each of the covenant commitments in your life, in order to stimulate and nurture your personal spiritual growth and maturity as a “fully-devoted follower” of the Lord Jesus Christ. In some cases the Matthew 18 process may be employed by the leadership to restore your relationships and spiritual health, both individually and corporately.
4. Benefits
Personal Benefits – The primary benefit of the Covenant Partnership is to facilitate personal, spiritual growth and maturity in your life by providing the challenge of accountability to specific commitments that honor Christ and promote His cause in our generation!
Corporate Benefits – the benefits of the Covenant Partnership to the church family are many and varied. Primarily, it makes for a stronger, more committed ministry / support base, and promotes corporate strength by facilitating individual growth. It also establishes a clear point of corporate identity, and provides a fundamental basis for recognized church membership as well as for church discipline. Significant church life issues for which the Eldership of the church desires or requires a vote of confidence or majority assent (for example: land or facilities purchases, major building projects, etc…) will be discussed and resolved with Covenant Partners. Covenant Partners will also have access (upon request) to regular monthly financial statements of the church.
5. Duration
Our desire is to be a covenant community for life in the context of the local church here or sent out to the outermost parts of the world as the Holy Spirit directs. Covenant Partnership may remain intact indefinitely as long as there is a commitment to adhere to the standards of the Covenant Partnership Agreement, which you sign at Generational Hope Christian Center .
New Covenant Partners will be added to the church annually at our Vision / Business Meeting.
COVENANT PARTNERSHIP COMMITMENTS
We recognize certain responsibilities which are ours as part of the Body of Christ at Generational Hope Christian Center . By signing the Covenant Partnership Agreement, you are agreeing to hold yourself accountable personally and before the Lord Jesus to honor each of the covenant commitments in your life.
1. I will protect the unity of my Church
a. By acting in love toward other members – Romans 15:5
b. By refusing to gossip – Ephesians 4:29
c. By restoring offenses according to Matthew 18:15-17.
d. By following the leaders – Hebrews 13:17
2. I will share the responsibility of my Church
a. By praying for its growth – I Thessalonians 1:2
b. By inviting the un-churched to attend – Luke 14:23
c. By warmly welcoming those who visit – Romans 15:7
d. By regularly studying God’s Word and praying. – II Timothy 2:15;
Ephesians. 6:18
3. I will serve the ministry of my Church
a. By discovering and using my gifts and talents – I Peter 4:10-11
b. By being equipped to serve beside my pastors – Ephesians 4:11,12
c. By developing a servant’s heart – Philippians 2:3,4,7
d. By making Christ my Master not my mascot – Romans 12:1-2
4. I will support the testimony of my Church
a. By attending faithfully – Hebrews 10:24-25
b. By living a godly life – Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 5:1
c. By bringing the full tithe (10%) and offerings – Malachi 3:8-10; Lev. 27:30.
d. By encouraging one another to build strong families – Col. 3:18-21; Mal. 4:6; Ps.112:1-9
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the sole Head of Generational Hope Christian Center, the leader before whom all human leaders must bow (Ephesians 1:22, 23; Matthew 23:8-11; 1 Peter 5:4). He communicates His will for the church through His Word, the Bible. We believe the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God and our standard for every situation in life and practice. He gives additional guidance by means of the specific leading of the Holy Spirit who indwells the heart of each true believer. He also shepherds the flock by gifting the church with under-shepherds who are commissioned, under His leadership with the task of equipping the flock for its full functioning (Ephesians 4:7-16).
In a real sense, Generational Hope Christian Center belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ; He has taken the responsibility for ordering the life of the church so that He may someday present it to Himself glorious, without any spot or wrinkle. (Ephesians 5:25-27).