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- Partner Covenant -

“When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.” (Ecc. 5:4–5)

PURPOSE

When anyone enters into a relationship with God by grace and through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, they enter into two covenants. The first is to journey with God for the rest of their lives and love Him fully. The second is to journey with His other children in the community of the local church. Your partnership in a church is an official recognition of this, and the purposes of the LifeConnection Partner Covenant are:

- Join -

To join the Spirit in forming authentic community that reflects the relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit.

- Clarify -

To clarify the ongoing blessings and responsibilities of each partner.

- Encourage -

To encourage consistency, accountability, and loving unity within the church family.

- Accomplish -

To accomplish God’s call for the LifeConnection Church family.

This agreement does not imply that you will never fall short of the goals, but that the desire of your heart is to fulfill each of the responsibilities stated to the best of your ability. We trust that your commitment will be a personal blessing to your own journey in Christ, as well a blessing to those around you.

THE FACTS OF PARTNERSHIP

Acts 2:37–47

A numerical record was kept

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (ESV)

1 Timothy 5:3–16

Records were kept of widows.

Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. (ESV)

Acts 6:1–6

Elections were conducted.

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. (ESV)

Matthew 18:15–20

Discipline was carried out. (also 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1)

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (ESV)

Hebrews 13:17

Pastors will be held accountable for partners.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (ESV)

Romans 16:1–16

There was an awareness of who was a church partner.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. (ESV)

With the help of the Holy Spirit, the church leadership covenants the following:

  • We commit ourselves to lovingly caring for you and seeking your growth in Christ (Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12).

  • We covenant to provide teaching and counsel from the Scriptures (Gal. 6:6; 1 Tim. 5:17–18).

  • We commit that this teaching will span the whole counsel of God’s Word (Acts 20:27–28).

  • We commit to helping you in times of need (Acts 2:42–47, 4:32–35; James 2:14–17).

  • We covenant that your pastors and deacons will meet the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures (1 Tim. 3:1–13; 5:17–22; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Pt. 5:1–4).

  • We covenant to pray for you regularly, particularly when you are sick (James 5:14).

  • We covenant to be on guard against false teachers (Acts 20:28–31).

  • We covenant to exercise church discipline when necessary (Matt. 18:15–20; 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1).

  • We covenant to help you become equipped to serve Christ (Eph. 4:11–13).

  • We covenant to seek God’s will for our church community to the best of our ability as we study the Scriptures and follow the Spirit (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–5).

  • We covenant to set an example and join you in fulfilling the duties of church partners (1 Cor. 11:1; Philip. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12).

With the guiding help of the Holy Spirit, I, the undersigned, publicly proclaim as follows:

I believe Jesus Christ is exactly who He claimed to be (Isaiah 5:6; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:70; John 4:25–26; 6:29; 8:58; 11:25–27; 14:6–7; 15:5). I have renounced my old way of life, repented of my sins, asked God to forgive my sins, to cleanse me, and make me a new creation (1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17). I confess Jesus Christ is the Lord and Master of my life (Romans 10:9).

I recognize that, before faith in Christ, my sin nature had separated me from God and made me his enemy, the object of his wrath. Because of my sins I deserve eternal torment and separation from God, i.e., Hell (Romans 3:10, 23).

I recognize that there is only one way to God, salvation, the kingdom of heaven, and eternal life: Jesus Christ. There is no other way. My redemption and the forgiveness of sins is an unmerited gift of grace from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, accomplished by His death and shed blood on the cross at Calvary (John 14:6; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9).

I am a Christian who has been saved from my sins by the grace of Jesus Christ. I have accepted His gift of salvation bought by His death on the cross, the penalty for my sins, and His resurrection, by which I am assured of eternal life (John 3:16–18; Romans 3:23–26).

In obedience to Scripture, I have been baptized after I became a believer in Jesus Christ as evidence and testimony of my commitment to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, my Savior (Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).

I have read and understood the LifeConnection doctrinal statement and agree to not be divisive to its teaching. I also understand the importance of submission to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace (Ephesians 4:1–3; Hebrews 13:7, 17).

I will endeavor to maintain a close relationship with the Lord Jesus through regular personal Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of the other spiritual disciplines. My commitment to follow Jesus Christ will be evident through my regular participation in the Sunday assembly and worship services, my willingness to serve where needed, and my involvement in fellowship with other partners of the church body through a Gospel Community, Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, or Equip Classes (Psalms 119:97; 105:1–2; Acts 2:42–47; Hebrews 10:23–25).

I will strive to properly manage the resources God has given me, including my time, body, spiritual gifts and talents, attitudes, finances and possessions (Proverbs 3:9–10; Romans 12:1–2; Ephesians 4:1–16; 5:15–18; Gal 5:22–26). This includes regular giving and service to the local church (LifeConnection) that is sacrificial, cheerful, active, and voluntary (Romans 12:1–8; 2 Corinthians 8–9; 12:7–31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

I commit myself to the LifeConnection Church family and agree to aid in fulfilling its missional purpose to bring the gospel to Kansas City by being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only, serving Jesus as my Master and Lord in every area of my life.

I covenant to practice the humility and sacrificial attitude of Christ by considering the needs of others (Philippians 2:1–11), by seeking spiritual friendships (Proverbs 17:17), and by not gossiping (Proverbs 16:28; Matthew 18:15–17).

I covenant to have friendly Christian relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches, but I will not function in leadership or as a partner (member) in another church family (Hebrews 13:17).

I covenant to be self-disciplined, to follow the biblical procedures of church discipline regarding my brothers and sisters in Christ, and submit myself to church discipline if the need should ever arise (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5:1–5; 2 Corinthians 2:5–8; Galatians 6:1–5, 8; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 2:25; Titus 1:9; 3:10–11; Revelation 2:5–7, 14–25).

I covenant to submit to the authority of Scripture as the final arbiter on all issues (Psalm 119, 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

God enabling, I will strive to consider my commitment to this Partnership Covenant on a yearly basis. I understand that it is an evaluative tool, as well as an affirmation of my continuing conviction and purpose. My responsibility will be to notify the LifeConnection leadership if at any time I can no longer commit to this covenant, or if I have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding LifeConnection Church.