First Congregational Church is a gathering of approximately 250 Christians, with an average Sunday worship attendance of 140-150. Our fellowship includes a broad range of personalities and ages - from children to seniors, with an active and growing youth fellowship group, a women's fellowship group, and other small groups. We are all united by our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the desire to know and serve Him, and the encouragement and support we give to one another in that faith.
Those who officially join the church as adult members, are asked to affirm the following covenant, which spells out in detail the responsibilites of all those who claim membership.
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and having been baptized, and being in agreement with First Congregational Church's statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the First Congregational Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
I will protect the unity of my church...
- By acting in love toward other members
- By refusing to gossip
- By following the leaders
"So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together" (Romans 14:19).
"Have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart" (1 Peter 1:22).
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs " ( Ephesians 4:29 ).
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:17).
I will share the responsibility of my church...
- By praying for its growth
- By inviting the unchurched to attend
- By warmly welcoming those who visit
"To the church . . . We always thank God for you and pray for you constantly " ( 1Thessalonians 1: 1- 2).
"The Master said to the servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes, and urge the people there to come so my house will be full" (Luke 14:23).
"So warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified" (Romans 15:7).
I will serve the ministry of my church...
- By discovering my gifts and talents
- By being equipped to serve by my pastors
- By developing a servant's heart
"Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you" (1 Peter 4:10).
"[God] gave . . . some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:11-12).
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who . . . [took on] the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:3-4:7).
I will support the testimony of my church...
- By attending faithfully
- By living a godly life
- By giving regularly
"Let us not give up meeting together . . . but let us encourage one another" (Hebrews 10:25).
"Whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the Gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27).
"Each of you, on the first day of each week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you have earned and use it for the offering" (1 Corinthians 16:2).
"A tenth of [ all your ] produce . . . is the Lord's and is holy" (Leviticus 27:30).
"So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together" (Romans 14:19).
"Have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart" (1 Peter 1:22).
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs " (Ephesians 4:29).
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:17). |
