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MISSION NORTHEAST
PO Box 441

Nassau, NY 12123

Phone: 518.935.4619

Fax: 518.935.4655

Our Covenant

A covenant expresses the privileges and responsibilities of people committed to each other. CB Mission Northeast is in the process of drafting a covenant to clarify the expectations we have of our partnership together as an association of churches. Our FIRST DRAFT of the Covenant is below.

A Covenant Community by Dr. Stephen LeBar, CBAmerica

Since the radical structural change of CBAmerica in 2004, the Association has been developing covenant communities of accountable relationships. It began with the Regional Directors signing an annual covenant of how they would live in relationship to one another. A second stage was initiated when a similar covenant of relationships became an annual pledge among the Regional Boards. Now a third stage is emerging as each Region develops a relational covenant to be signed by the churches in its Fellowship.

Like the covenants that local churches ask their members to sign, these documents are not contracts, but a declaration of intent to live in an accountable community involving both privileges and responsibilities. Our desire is to be an association of integrity, where members honor one another in environs of grace-giving and truth-telling, networking together for increased strength and effectiveness.

Through all of this development of covenants, we are seeking to honor our Triune God, who lives in eternal relationships among the Three. He is, by nature, a unity of Being, while a society of Persons who love, support, assist, honor, respect and enjoy one another in unrestricted communication. We glorify Him when we mirror the unity and diversity of relationships that are His very nature.

Being interconnected and interdependent in community is God-like, while living in isolation is a violation of God’s design. The New Testament churches had a context of relationships. Thus the argument for relational networks among the local expressions of Christ’s body has both theological and historical grounds. We are asking you to join us in this journey toward Christ-honoring relationships, where we as an association network together for the praise of His glory.
 

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FIRST DRAFT of CBMNE's Member Church Covenant

Member Church Covenant*
 

In partnership for the gospel of Christ, to the glory of God the Father, and by the power of the Spirit, as a member church of CB Mission Northeast, we covenant to:

• Faithfully uphold our core beliefs, values, and polity as stated in CBMNE’s Statement of Faith and Bylaws.

• Prioritize our church’s mission to be a Great Commission community energized with Great Commandment passion, seeking to reach people for Christ, impact our communities, and multiply churches.

• Actively participate in our association by sharing our strengths, energy, and resources in ministry to each other, bringing greater health to our churches.

• Celebrate our diversity and the uniqueness of each local church ministry, graciously treating each other with love, encouraging, protecting, and supporting one another.

• Strengthen and support our pastors and leaders by requiring their active participation in cluster fellowships, leadership development, and by using their gifts and talents to serve the greater body of Christ.

• Generously support our association through regular financial contributions and by praying for our Regional Staff and our CB churches in our area.

• Humbly receive the ministry of others as they seek to strengthen us and to give them permission to hold us accountable to this covenant if they perceive within us aloofness, independence, or competitiveness.

WHEN THIS COVENANT IS ADOPTED BY CBMNE (probably in 2010) - CHURCHES WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN IT.
Church Name: ___________________________________________ City, State:________________________

Signatures: Pastor ________________________________ Board Chair _______________________________

*cov·e·nant \'kəv-nənt, 'kə-və-\
1: a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement: compact
2 a: a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action

Upon entering a covenant relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, every believer is placed into a covenant community with all true believers, known as the body of Christ. Local churches represent covenant communities of which each believer is to be an active member. In turn, these churches may enter into a covenant community with one another.

A covenant is a statement expressing how members of a covenantal community define their reciprocal commitments and expectations. It is not the same as a contract and does not constitute legal ties and liabilities. Contracts deal with things and services. Covenants deal with people and relationships. Families and friends enact them. God witnesses the terms of covenants and acts as the One who stands behind their vows and promises.

Our covenant instructs us in the nature of our unity as churches together under God’s new covenant of grace. It helps us shape our regional culture around our shared doctrine, mission, vision, and core values.

First Draft 9/8/2008

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Printer Friendly Versions of CBMNE's Covenant

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