Covenant System

Our “Covenant Sunday” in the fall is the day we renew our membership to our church by turning in a personal covenant, the purpose of which is to allow us to function as an intentional faith community, serious about following Christ and being His church.

The covenant system is at the heart of our church, both a spiritual discipline for each of us, and a vital planning tool for the church community. On the individual level, it gives us the opportunity to prayerfully consider what our donations of time, money and energy will (and will not) be to our church. Because it is intentional, the act of writing a covenant can provide clarity and strengthen our commitment. The covenant helps us to understand exactly what we’re called to do, and politely decline what we’re not. In this, they help up avoid resentment, and, over time, can serve to open our hearts to our true calling -- which may be greater than any of us ever allowed when we felt pressured.

For the church community, covenants serve equally vital functions. Their intentionality tells first exactly who is a member of our community -- this is one church where no one can drift away quietly without anyone else knowing whether they are still a member or not. At a minimum, we have to write a covenant saying that even if we give nothing else, we want to be a member of the church. On the level of organization of planning, the covenants tell the Board of Trustees and the Church Council what resources we have freely committed for the coming year, and these groups have to plan our future within the bound of those resources.

At the worship services in early November, our covenants will be placed on the altar and dedicated into Christ’s service. Getting your covenant to the church office earlier is fine, of course. It will still be offered in God’s service and care at this dedication time. For your convenience, the diaconate has prepared materials to help facilitate the covenant-writing process.