Membership Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to repent, believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and profess our allegiance to Him, 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. [Acts 2:38; Mark 9:23; John 11:26; Heb.11:6; John 1:12-13; I Pet. 2:6; Matt. 28:19-20; Romans 8:1]
We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love. [1 Cor 13:1-13; Eph. 4:1-6; John 13:34]
We will seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances and strangers who have not repented for saving faith in Christ; to be in prayer for the spiritual awakening of the lost in our community, and to be a faithful witness of the gospel both here and to the remotest part of the earth. [Matt. 28:19; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 1:3-8; Gen 12:3]
We will strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; and to submit to its leaders as they are faithful to Christ. [Hebrews 10:24-25; Hebrews 13:17; I Thess 4:12-15]
We will 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 through all nations. [I Cor. 9:1-27; Prov. 15:15; Job 34:19; Matt. 5:3; Mark 10:21; Luke 4:18]
We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others; nor avoid the meetings of the church. [Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 5:5; Acts 2:42-47]
We will also maintain family and private devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith and demonstrate the love of Christ in all of our household relationships. [Eph. 6:1-4; Psalm 78; Deut. 6:1-9]
We will watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment. [Matt 19:15-20; Col. 2:9-10; Eph.5:1-2; Eph. 6:18]
We will abstain from gluttony, drunkenness, illicit drugs, materials, entertainments or practicing things which jeopardize our own or another's faith. [Psalm 1:1-6; Eph. 5:3-12; Col: 3:1-17; II Cor. 12:20; Romans 1:30; Lev. 19:16; Eccl. 10:11; Galatians 5:21; Deuteronomy 21:20; 1 Corinthians 6:10; Proverbs 23:21; Psalm 101:1-2]
We will cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; strive to avoid all scriptural prohibitions, such as tattling, backbiting and unrighteous anger; to refrain from speaking evil of one another; to be slow to take offense; to think the best of one another; and always ready for biblical reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay so far as it depends upon us. [Psalm 19:14; Psalm 34:13-14; Eph. 4:29; I Peter 3:8-12; Matt 5:21-26; Titus 3:10; Prov 26:20-26]
We will, if necessary, submit to biblically defined and regulated church discipline for the purpose of reconciliation with God and man and we accept that refusing to communicate or to flee is to usurp the power of the church and break this covenant. [Matt. 18:15:20; Heb 12:11; 1 Cor 5:1-13; 1 John 2:19; 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Cor 2:1-11; Luke 17:4]
We will, when we move from this place, if possible, unite with a church that upholds the “Essential Doctrines” defined in the church constitution and where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant.
Understanding and agreeing with this Membership Covenant and the Hope Community Church Constitution, I now covenant with, and commit myself to this church body.
Member Signature _____________________________________________________
Member Name Printed __________________________________ Date __________
As Elders of Hope Community Church, and having interviewed the prospective member above, we affirm his/her readiness for membership, and witness the formal acceptance by the congregation.
Elder Signature _______________________________________________________
Elder Name Printed _____________________________________ Date __________
Elder Signature _______________________________________________________
Elder Name Printed _____________________________________ Date __________
Membership Criteria
The membership of this Church shall consist of persons who have repented of their sins and confess faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; who give evidence of regeneration by a living consistent with their profession and with the views of faith, doctrine and practice of this Church; who have been baptized as an infant, or in believer’s baptism by immersion, and who have been received into its membership according to their agreement with the church doctrinal statement, covenant and constitution.
Two-step Membership Process
- Membership applicants will complete the membership process specified by the Elders (which includes teaching times), meet with an Elder to communicate their Christian testimony, history in past churches, discuss the commitments of the church and affirm their agreement with the documents of the church by reviewing them during their
- Upon approval, he/she will sign the Membership Covenant and publicly read, or assent agreement to the Membership Covenant and thereby become accepted as members of the
All actions regarding membership, either of admission or dismissal, shall be conducted at any of the regular meetings for worship. The Church may, without special notice, act upon the reception of members, or upon transfer of members to other churches.
The Elders will maintain a membership list, including names, dates of birth, with yes/no entries for baptism, profession of faith, and communicant status. This membership list is not to be confused with a church directory of addresses and phone numbers.
The Elders shall previously make acquainted all persons uniting with this Church, in any of the ways set forth, with this Membership Covenant and the Hope Community Church Constitution. New members shall pledge themselves to fulfill their stewardship obligations as to worship, service, and giving, when they make public profession of faith and join the church.