A Covenant for Shaping Our Future
Faith Covenants to be a Congregation…
…Built on Three Growing Commitments
A growing Commitment to Christ John 15:5, John 17:3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 17, 24
Expressed through worship, personal spirituality, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit
A Growing Commitment to the Body of Christ John 15:12; John 17:11, 21, 22, 23
Expressed through small group and large group fellowship, godly relationships, and reconciliation
A growing Commitment to the work of Christ in the world John 15:26,27; 18-20 John 17: 18, 15-17, 25, 26
Expressed through ministry teams, personal and corporate evangelism and mission
These three commitments come from Jesus’ final teaching session with his disciples (John 15) and his high priestly prayer for the church the night of his arrest (John 17).
…Guided by five core values
Grace - We will continually look for the application of the gospel to our own lives and the lives of others
Groups - We will create real community rooted in the gospel, not just common interests
Giving – We will exhibit a contagious love for our community, seeing Faith as a “church for others”
Growth – We will demonstrate a pioneer mentality, always looking forward to where God is leading
Gifts – We will build our ministry around the gifts of the various members of the body that Christ has gathered here.
…Characterized by decisions to be:
Christ-centered, not church-centered
The church is the messenger, Christ is the message.
People-centered, not program-centered
People come first not program. Programs exist to meet the needs of people; people do not exist to staff programs
Need-centered, not activity-centered
The primary question is: how do we meet people’s needs, not how do we get people to participate in our activities.
Passion driven, not tradition driven
The ministries of the church are to be based upon calling (passion) of those God has placed here, not what we have always done before.
Facilitators, not gate-keepers
The role of the church body is to encourage and help people discover their gifts and calling and provide the resources for them to pursue that calling. That is very different from gate-keeping which says yes or no to people based upon leadership driven programs and priorities.
Defined by the Center, not the boundaries
Inclusive, involve all people of every age in the life of Jesus Christ. Accepting of all races and types of people based on the idea that everyone is a child of God and we love one another despite differences. What determines the life of the cell is the nucleus (Christ) not the cell walls.
Committed to process first, then outcome
How we decide, choose, or do things precedes what we decide, choose, or do. A process that engages, empowers, respects, and values all is as important as the outcome. Christ defines our process, not just our programs.
…Following Four Steps in starting and maintaining all ministries
1. Identify and articulate the need. A ministry must meet a need, but a need does not necessitate a ministry.
2. Gather the people. A ministry team of people who are appropriately gifted and exhibit a passion for meeting the need.
3. Prepare the plan. The vision and strategy meeting the need are worked out by the ministry team.
4. Affirm the leader. Without a leader who is willing to take responsibility, a ministry will quickly run into trouble.
