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Values that Covenant Church holds dear:
LOVE
Statement: We believe being a part of the covenant church family means being loving, unified, vulnerable, compassionate, and eager to serve others.
Scripture: John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 17:23, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Ephesians 4:3, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Zechariah 8:16, "These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;"
1 Peter 3:8, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
1 Peter 5:2, "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve."
Ephesians 6:7, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."
Explanation: We want the members of Covenant Church to care about people, to be honest and real about their own struggles and difficulties, to love and accept people for who they are, and to be gracious and forgiving toward others. These attitudes and virtues are rooted in a transformed life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We will continue to encourage in our members the kind of relationship with God that will result in these qualities and virtues.
BIBLICAL
Statement: We believe the church should maintain a Biblical, Reformed perspective and must also be bold, creative and culturally relevant.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 4:2, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."
Ephesians 1:3-4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."
1 Corinthians 9:22, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
Explanation: Covenant Church has always been and will always be committed to the Bible and the reformed faith. The Word of God is our highest authority for matters of doctrine and life. The Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dort provide a framework for our interpretation of Scripture. We believe that every square inch of this world belongs to God and must be reclaimed for his glory. We also acknowledge that while God?s Word never changes, the methods for communicating His Word do change. And we are committed to be bold, creative and relevant in the way we communicate the timeless principles of Scripture to our culture.
WORSHIP
Statement: We believe god transforms lives and is glorified through dynamic, Biblical preaching and awe-inspiring worship.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
1 Corinthians 14:24-25, "But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ?God is really among you!?"
Explanation: We believe the purpose of preaching is not simply to convey information but to change lives. Because the preaching of God?s Word is central to our worship services, we will do our best to ensure that those who preach in our church are gifted and skilled preachers. We will also strive to put together worship services that will provide opportunities for people to encounter God.
PRAYER
Statement: We believe a committed, spirit-led prayer life is foundational for all Christ-followers.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:18, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
John 15:7, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Explanation: The ministry and mission of Covenant Church is spiritual in nature. It involves the hearts and souls of people. Human effort alone cannot change hearts and lives ? only God can. Without the power of God at work in our lives and in our church, we will accomplish nothing. Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) With God, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13). The greater our humility and dependence on God, the more we will accomplish for Christ?s kingdom. For when we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). And he can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)
OUTREACH
Statement: We believe spirit-filled believers passionately seek out lost people and share Christ's love with them through words and actions.
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
Psalm 66:16, "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me."
Jeremiah 20:9, "But if I say, ?I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,? his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."
Acts 4:20, "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
1 Timothy 6:18, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Explanation: For the Christian who walks with the Lord and is filled with the Holy Spirit, sharing the love of Christ in word and deed is more than just obedience ? it?s a joy and a privilege. It?s an opportunity that one cannot resist. Reaching out to people with the love of Christ happens naturally in the life of a believer who is healthy and growing in love and faith.
YOUTH
Statement: We believe in training children and youth to be fully devoted to Jesus Christ and in encouraging them to express their love for him using their methods and gifts.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-9, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, ?Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.?"
Explanation: Our children are God?s most precious gift to us as a church. When children are baptized, we as a church promise "to receive them in love, pray for them, help instruct them in the faith, and encourage and sustain them in the fellowship of believers." We believe that each generation must accept Christ as Lord and Savior and affirm the truth of the Christian faith as expressed in God?s Word and the confessions of the church. We encourage each generation to "sing a new song to the Lord" (Psalm 144:9) and to express their faith in him in their own way. We also believe that every member of the body of Christ has been given spiritual gifts to be used to serve others (1 Peter 4:10). This includes children and young people. We encourage Christians of all ages to use their unique gifts to serve the Lord.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Statement: We believe Christ-followers passionately strive for continuous spiritual growth.
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
Mark 12:30, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
1 Timothy 4:7, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly."
Explanation: We believe that healthy, living things grow. This includes followers of Jesus Christ. When we are spiritual healthy, abiding in Christ (John 15:5) and being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), we will grow spiritually. This means we will have a desire to deepen our knowledge of God and His Word. Our love for the Lord will increase and our desire to serve him will deepen. We believe that this kind of spiritual growth is not reserved only for certain believers, but is intended for all sincere followers of Jesus Christ.
EXCELLENCE
Statement: We believe striving for excellence with humility honors God and inspires people.
Scripture: Malachi 1:13-14, "?When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?? says the LORD. ?Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,? says the LORD Almighty, ?and my name is to be feared among the nations.?"
Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Proverbs 29:23, "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor."
Romans 12:3, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."
Explanation: Excellence is not perfection but doing the best you can with what you have. In our worship and in all of our ministries, we want to offer God and his people the very best we can. We will strive to ensure that the right people with the right gifts are serving in the right ministries and are doing the best they can. This will likely include an evaluation process to help us do the very best we can in every area of ministry.
STEWARDSHIP
Statement: We believe Christ-followers of all ages eagerly discover and use their God-given gifts of time, talents and money generously and cheerfully.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7, "But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
1 Timothy 6:17-18, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Explanation: The church is made up of interdependent members, each uniquely fitted by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the body and furthering the ministry of the church. We therefore seek to discover, develop, and use our God-given gifts for the benefit of others and the glory of God. We recognize that everything we have belongs to God. We are not owners but stewards of all God has given us. The 10% tithe has historically been the standard of giving in the church, but we believe that 100% of our resources belong to God and we submit all of our time, talent and money to the Lordship of Christ. We strive to be responsible in the way we manage the resources God has given us and we generously and cheerfully support the work of God in our church, community and world.
PARTNERING
Statement: We believe we are a part of the world-wide body of Christ and support great and diverse works of god throughout the world by partnering with the Christian Reformed denomination and other agencies.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Mark 16:15, "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Explanation: Covenant Church is part of the greater body of Christ ? believers from churches and countries all around the world. We have a special relationship with the Christian Reformed Church. Through our ministry shares we support mission work and ministries throughout this country and the world. We value our relationship with our denomination and strive to fulfill our covenant responsibilities as best we can. We are also eager to partner with other churches and Christian organizations that are involved with various aspects of kingdom work, as long as their faith statement agrees with the doctrines and beliefs of orthodox Christianity.
MISSIONS
Statement: We believe Christ followers actively spread the gospel by supporting missionaries and movements of God throughout the world.
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, "Then Jesus came to them and said, ?All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.?"
Matthew 9:37-38, "Then he said to his disciples, ?The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.?"
Acts 13:2, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ?Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.?"
Explanation: Our deep desire is to see the kingdom of God advance throughout the world. We will use the resources of Covenant Church to further the spread of the gospel until every people-group on earth has been reached with the good news of Jesus Christ. We will support missionaries and mission organizations with our prayers, encouragement and financial support.
EDUCATION
Statement: We believe a Christian school education is foundational for children to grow in faith and service.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-9, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, ?Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.?"
Explanation: Covenant Church is committed to supporting local Christian schools. We believe that a Christian education is an essential part of raising children who are fully devoted to Jesus Christ. We believe a Christian home, a Christian church and a Christian school are a part of a "3-legged stool" that together will provide the best possible spiritual training for our children and youth. We are thankful for the quality of the Christian schools in our area and will support each family who chooses to send their children to a Christian school.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Statement: We believe it is important for us to be open with and dependent upon each other for support and prayer and that we must hold each other accountable to grow in our faith, service and stewardship.
Scripture: Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Ephesians 4:15-16, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"
James 5:16a, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
2 Corinthians 8:7-8, "But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others."
Explanation: We strive to be a church where people are open and accepting of one another ? where no one feels it?s necessary to "wear a mask" or "put on a facade". We want to be honest and authentic with each other about who we are and what we struggle with. We want to provide people with a safe place where they can be themselves and share their struggles and find the unconditional love of Christ. These relationships will most likely be found with another individual or in the context of a small group. We encourage believers to seek out relationships of trust where they can be held accountable in various areas of their lives ? including their faith, service and stewardship. Because of the nature of sin in our lives, we believe that accountability is essential for our spiritual growth and maturity.
MARRIAGE
Statement: We believe marriage, as instituted by God, is a life-long covenant between a husband and wife and we must do everything we can to encourage and strengthen the institution of marriage.
Scripture: Genesis 1:27-28, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ?Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.?"
Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
Malachi 2:14-16, "You ask, ?Why?? It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. ?I hate divorce,? says the LORD God of Israel, ?and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,? says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."
Matthew 19:4-6, "?Haven't you read,? he replied, ?that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,? and said, ?For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.?"
Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
Explanation: Marriage is a life-long covenant between a man and a woman characterized by exclusivity (forsaking all others), mutuality (becoming one flesh) and permanency (till death do us part). It is a foundational relationship in terms of home, family and society. As a church, we want to do all we can to adequately prepare people for marriage, encourage them in marriage, and provide wise & biblical counsel to those experiencing difficulty in their marriage as well as those who have been affected by divorce.
FAMILIES
Statement: We believe in the importance of the home and family and will do everything we can to encourage and strengthen the family unit.
Scripture: Genesis 17:7, "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."
Deuteronomy 6:6-7, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Titus 2:4, "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children..."
1 Timothy 3:12, "A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well."
Psalm 127:3, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him."
Ephesians 6:4, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Explanation: Our God is a covenant God who has valued families and family relationships since the time of Abraham. The home is the primary place where children are taught to know and serve the Lord. And parents are the primary role models for children. Families are very important to us at Covenant Church.
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