Trinity Church of Benicia
Church Covenant
Having been brought by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to surrender our lives to Him and having been baptized as Christians in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
Together, we will draw near to God in worship as our Spirit-illumined calling to remember the greatness and goodness of God the Father in the face of Jesus Christ, so that we will cultivate Spirit-wrought submission in our hearts that draws near to the Father through the lordship of the Son, and then in turn be commissioned to use our lives in Spirit-empowered service for the glory of Christ to the praise of the Father.
Together we will hold fast to the hope we profess. We will regularly participate in communion as we solemnly and joyfully remember the past work of Christ on the cross, celebrate the present work of Christ at the Father’s right hand, and anticipate the future work of Christ in his return for his bride.
Together, we will stir one another up to love and good works. We will meet with one another consistently, pray for one another regularly, and serve one another selflessly. We will share each other’s joys and bear each other’s burdens, aiding one another in sickness and distress. We will listen carefully to one another, cultivate Christian sympathy in feelings and courtesy in speech, to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation. We will encourage one another with our example. We will humbly and gently confront one another and receive correction from one another in accordance with a New Testament understanding of church discipline and restoration. We will give cheerfully and generously to the the support of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel to all nations.
Together, we will submit to the leadership of Elders who have been entrusted by God to serve and care for this body by teaching the Word of Christ to us and modeling the character of Christ before us, and we will affirm Deacons as leading servants in the church. If we move from this local body, we will as soon as possible unite with another local church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.