Why A Church Covenant?

A covenant is a summary of the promises we make to each other as members of Heights Baptist Church. The early church was committed to one another in more than just proximity--they covenanted together through promises! These promises are recorded for us in the New Testament letters. Therefore, our church covenant is rooted in the commands of the New Testament for individual believers. When HBC was founded in 1977, the charter members committed to each other using this very document; and we we continue to use it today. All who join Heights Baptist Church are expected to affirm the Church Covenant.

Heights Baptist Church Covenant

Having been led by the Spirit of God, I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord

(John 1:12).  I have been born again through the Holy Spirit (John 3:6-7; 1:13) and have publicly confessed my faith by word (Romans 10:8-10) and in baptism (Romans 6:3-5).  I subscribe to the Confession of Faith of my church and do now with other members of the church as one body in Christ state my purpose and desire as a member of Heights Baptist Church:

 

1.     To walk lovingly (John 13:34-35) and humbly with my brethren (1 Peter 5:6; Romans 12:3) to pray for them (James 5:16); to separate myself from worldly and unchristian practices (Titus 2:12).


2.     To pray for the advancement of my church in knowledge, spiritual growth and fruitfulness (John 15:8,16); to uphold its program of worship, training and teaching (Ephesians 4:1-16), to observe its ordinances (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-27) and affirm its teaching (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3).


3.     To give regularly and cheerfully to my church as God prospers for the support of the evangelistic, teaching and training ministry among us (2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 1 Corinthians 16:2); for the relief of the needy (Proverbs 19:17); and for the spread of the Gospel both here in Billings and over all the earth (Matthew 28:19-20).


4.     To serve faithfully in some activity in the church body according to God’s leading and according to my spiritual gifts and abilities (Romans 12:4-8; James 1:22-24; 2:18); taking care to assume only such duties as can be effectively performed (1 Corinthians 4:2); to improve my service by prayerful study of God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15).


5.     To maintain family worship, training and discipline in my home.  To encourage family prayer, Bible study and spiritual growth for any under my care (Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 22:6).


6.     To endeavor by my example (Matthew 5:16), witness (1 Peter 3:15), and effort to point people to Christ, and to do my part in building them up in the faith, (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 1:28).


7.     To follow the Bible as my rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).


8.     To endeavor to understand and support my fellow members in the church, especially those who may have personalities, ministries and backgrounds quite different than mine (Romans 14:1-7, 17-23; 15:1-2; Galatians 3:26-28). 


9.     To endeavor to put into practice the Scriptures relating to our church as the Body of Christ (Romans 12:4-16; 1 Corinthians 12:11-27; Ephesians 4:11-16).