DOCTRINE / CONVENANT
Purpose & Doctrine
The purpose of this congregation is to give visible form to that faith and fellowship of which God has called His people. We acknowledge ourselves to be a local manifestation of the universal Church through which Jesus Christ continues to minister to the world through corporate worship services, through a program of Christian nurture by which our members may be built up in their faith and love, through the proclamation of the Gospel by word and deed, and through ministering to human need in the name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible is accepted as the inerrant Word of God and is the only guide by which this church shall operate.
The government of this church is vested in the members who compose it, and as such, it is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical organization. Also, none of its ministries, boards or committees can usurp its executive governmental or policy-making powers. This church is a "not-for-profit" organization, incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.
This church accepts the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired record of God's revelatory action in human history and as the authoritative basis for its doctrine and practices. The Holy Scriptures are to be the final governing word for this community of faith.
This church has also adopted the following covenant as a means by which its members may express their intent to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the affairs of daily life. This document shall be subject to revision by the congregation, as new insights from the Word of God shall indicate ways in which our faith and life may be brought into closer accord with the teachings of the Scriptures.
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, Angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian Love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the Word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir-up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other's reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other's joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another's burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God , who hath called us out of the darkness into His marvelous light.
When we remove from this place, we engage, as soon as possible, to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word. AMEN!
