The Hope Community Bible Church
Membership Covenant

As members, we seek to fulfill our ultimate purpose to glorify God, and to that end agree by this covenant that we will be members joined together with one another in the following ways:

I. WE WILL BE JOINED TOGETHER WITH OUR TIME

• Uniting together as we are exhorted in the Word and have example from the early church;

"Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Jesus Christ, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God." Rom. 15:5-7 "These all continued with one accord…they were all with one accord in one place… so continuing daily with one accord in the temple" Acts 1:14;2:1,46

• Attending the services faithfully to learn His Word, being in fellowship, taking part in the ordinances, joining together in prayer;

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" Acts 2:42 "Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb. 10:25

• Inviting the unsaved and unchurched to attend and warmly welcoming those who visit.

"Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.'" Luke 14:23

II. WE WILL BE JOINED TOGETHER WITH OUR TALENTS

• Discovering and exercising our gifts and talents;

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." I Pet. 4:10-11

• Being equipped to serve by my pastors;

"And He Himself (Christ) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," Eph. 4:11-12

• Following the leaders in ministry.

"Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct…Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." Heb. 13:7,17

III. WE WILL BE JOINED TOGETHER WITH OUR TREASURES.

• Giving cheerfully, proportionately and regularly to the financial support of the church;

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver…while through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men." II Cor. 9:7,13 "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." I Cor. 16:2

• Aiding each other in sickness and distress, and the relief of the poor;

"Now all who believed were together, and had all things common, and sold their possessions and divided them among all, as anyone had need." Acts 2:44-45

• Supporting missions for the spread of the Gospel through all nations;

"Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities." Phil. 4:15-16

IV. WE WILL BE JOINED TOGETHER WITH OUR TESTIMONIES

• Living a godly life, being just in our dealings, and faithful and exemplary in our engagements;

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." I Pet. 2:11-12

• Acting in brotherly love toward other members;

"By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love one for another." John 13:35

• Being slow to take offense, and always ready for reconciliation;

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you." Eph. 4:31-32