| membership covenant |
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and being in agreement with the doctrinal statement, structure, and strategy of the church I resolve to be in union with the Beulah Baptist Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1. I will protect the unity of my church.
a. By acting in love toward other members.
b. By refusing to gossip.
c. By following the church leadership.
Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
2. I will share the responsibility of my church.
a. By praying for its growth.
b. By inviting others to attend.
c. By warmly welcoming those who visit.
1Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;
Luke 14:23 And the master said to the slave, Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Romans 15:7 Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
3. I will serve in the ministry of my church.
a. By seeking to discover my gifts and talents.
b. By being equipped to serve by my church leadership.
c. By developing a servant's heart.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the quipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others
4. I will support the testimony of my church.
a. By attending faithfully.
b. By living a godly life.
c. By giving regularly.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
Philippians 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
Leviticus 27:30 Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord.
5. I will follow and support the leadership of my church
1 Timothy 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder (Church Leader) except from two or three witnesses.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
6. I will immediately report all gossiping to the Church Elders.
The tongue is a tattletale and it tells on the heart. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The tongue is the revealer of the heart.
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Gal 2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch I had to oppose him publicly, speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong.
1 Timothy 5:20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
Prov 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (KJV)