Eagle Heights Baptist Church

Eagle Heights Baptist Church Membership Covenant

We, the members of Eagle Heights Baptist Church, having been led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior, and having been baptized on the profession of our faith in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, do now in the presence of God, the angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ, for the glory of God and for the good of His church, knowing that covenant contains both the idea of promise and the responsibility of purposeful commitment.

We confess, first of all, that we are members of the body of Christ by the grace of God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and through the leading and working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We acknowledge that we are all called to love and worship God with our whole being, to love one another and encourage one other in the faith, and to be filled with compassion for those outside the faith, while sharing with them the power of God for salvation, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We also acknowledge that we are called to willingly commit ourselves to glorify God in our lives and in this church as we abide in Christ who enables us to do all things. We further acknowledge that we are called to live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again. Our Lord has said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another,” We know that those who have truly passed from death to life do show their love for God by loving each other. Such love involves humility, service, prayer, encouragement, and admonition.

We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines.  (2 Corinthians 8:23; Ephesians 4:16; Philippians 1:7)

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We will treat one another at all times with brotherly love and humility, exercising an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonishing and entreating one another as occasion may require. We will do all we can to maintain the unity of our church, praying frequently together and for one another on our own. We will rejoice in each other’s happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.  (Matthew 18:19; Mark 12:29-31; Acts 12:12; Ephesians 4:1-3; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Hebrews 10:32-33; 1 John 1:7-11, 3:11-24)

We will lovingly encourage one another in the faith by meeting together regularly, developing and using our own spiritual gifts for one another's sake, proclaiming and teaching the Word of God to one another, and singing the truths of God together.  Moreover, we will forgo destructive or malicious forms of speech such as gossip, angry outbursts, and slander, and will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. In the further interest of fellowship, we will keep the church advised of our contact information, should it change.  In the event that we should move away from the area, or be providentially called to another church, we will prayerfully and diligently seek to join with another church home as soon as possible.  In the meantime we will keep in close communication with our current pastors. (Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 5:14, 19-20, 26, 31; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:25)

We will honor those who pastor us, willfully embrace their shepherding of our lives and their work to equip us for ministry, do all we can to make their shepherding of us joyful and not burdensome, and refuse to hear any charge against any of them without two or more witnesses.  (1 Timothy 5:17-19; 1 Peter 5:5, Hebrews 13:17)

We will endeavor to bring up those who may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 24:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 6:4;)

We will seek, by aid of the Spirit of God, to live in a manner worthy of our calling, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, remembering that there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life. (Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 4:3-7)

We will seek out those within our church who sin against us in order to plea for their repentance, and forgive all repented sin.  Should such pleading fail, we will return to the one in sin with one or two witnesses to plea for their repentance, and forgive all repented sin.   Should such pleading still fail, we will bring the matter to the church, so that the entire body can plea for their repentance, and forgive all repented sin.  Should all attempts to win them over fail, we will remove them from membership and pray that God will use His own discipline and the discipline of the church to bring them to repentance.  (Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-4; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Hebrews 12:10)

We will contribute generously, cheerfully, and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.  Above our regular tithes and offerings, we will give generously and cheerfully to those within our church when they are in need.  (Acts 11:27-29, 1 John 3:17, James 5:16, 2 Corinthians 9:5-7)