Our Church Covenant

For the members of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, one of the most vital and crucial documents of our church family (next to our Confession of Faith) is our church covenant. We count this document very precious, because it is a published standard of biblical imperatives which help us all to hold one another accountable; to a path whereby we can glorify God in how we relate to one another. On March 18th, 2007 - when we officially organized as a church - the charter members publicly signed a copy of our covenant. Such an act solemnized even more the weightiness of what we committed as a way of life for our church. Those who have joined us since then have also been required to agree to this same standard in the same way. Would to God that other churches (especially fellow Baptist churches) would restore this historic means of grace which truly makes church membership meaningful. The following is our church covenant in full:

Having, as we trust, been brought by Sovereign Divine Grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to Him, and having been transformed by the Spirit into a new creation with a new nature, and thus being baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious power, solemnly and joyfully affirm our covenant with each other (Eph.2:1-10; Rom.14:7-8; II Cor.5:17; Matt.28:19; I Thess. 5:12-22).

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph.4:3).

We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church; exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require (Jn.13:34,35; Rom.12:10; Heb.3:12-14; 10:24,25).

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others (Heb.10:24,25; Eph.6:18).

We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nuture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends (Eph.4:12-16; Tit.2:1-3:8).

We will rejoice at each other's happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows (Rom.12:10,13,15; Gal.6:1-2).

We will seek, by Divine strength, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as our old life has been crucified and buried with Christ, and we have now been raised up in spiritual union with Christ; so there is on us a special responsibility and expectation to lead a new & holy life (Rom.6:1-8:13; Gal.5:16-23; Eph.4:17-6:9).

We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, doctrine, and governance as it is based on God's Word and affirmed in the Church Constitution; we will further contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel to all nations (Phil.1:3-7; Col.3:12-17; Matt.28:19; I Cor.11:23-26; Matt.18:15-17; I Tim.3:15; II Tim.1:13; I Cor.8-9; I Cor.9:8-12,13,14).

We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word (Heb.10:24,25).

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (II Cor.13:14). Amen.