NESS AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBERS COVENANT

Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and  having been baptized as a believer, I desire to join the family of Ness Avenue Baptist  Church. I agree with the Church’s purpose, strategy and structure.

I also recognize that  we are all at different stages in our spiritual journey, requiring deep amounts of God’s  grace as we learn to bear with, and build up, one another in Christ Jesus. In entering  into this relationship, I covenant myself to God and to the other members of Ness to do  the following:  

I will strengthen the ministry of Ness Avenue Baptist Church:  

  • by discovering my gifts and talents and using them for God’s glory.

  • by being equipped by my Pastors, Elders and Deacons, and leadership team. 

  • by developing a servant’s heart.  

  • by living a Sprit-filled life according to Scripture.  

“Each man is given his gift by the Spirit that he may use it for the common good,” (1  Corinthians 12:7 J. B. Phillips)  

“. . . for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body  of Christ; . . .” (Ephesians 4:12 NASB) 

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He  existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but  emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, . . .” (Philippians 2:5-7a NASB)  

“But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you will be  your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you will be slave of all. “For even  the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for  many”.” (Mark 10:43-45 NASB)  

I will share the responsibility for the Spiritual Life at Ness Avenue Baptist Church:

  • by praying for its growth in all areas to the glory of God.  

  • by inviting my non-believing friends, family & acquaintances to attend, for the  benefit of their souls, that they might hear the whole counsel of God. 

  • by seeking to minister Christ's loving care to those who attend. 

“. . . always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, . . .” (Philippians 1:4  NASB)  

“We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, . .  .” (Colossians 1:3 NASB)  

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us;  we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB)  

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the  poor, He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the  blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, . . .” (Luke 4:18 NASB) 

I will protect the unity of Ness Avenue Baptist Church:  

  • by acting in love toward other members.  

  • by encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ to increased faith and maturity. 

  • by refusing to gossip or use unkind words.  

  • by following its spiritual leaders.  

“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the  brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, . . .” (1 Pet 1:22 NASB)  

“. . . that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the  other's faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:12 NASB)  

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives  his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.” (James 1:26 NASB)  

“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men  who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17a NIV)  

I will support the testimony of Ness Avenue Baptist Church:  

  • by attending services faithfully.  

  • by living a holy life, becoming Christ-like in all things spiritual and temporal. 

  • by giving regularly to the Lord’s work.  

  • by submitting to the ordinances, doctrines and teaching of the Word of God.  

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, . . .” (Hebrews 10:25 NIV) 

“. . . but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;  because it is written, “you will be holy, for I am holy”.” (1 Peter 1:15, 16 NASB)  

“Every man will give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God  which He has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16:17 NASB)  

“On every Lord’s day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation  to what you have earned and save it for this offering.” (1 Corinthians 16:2a NLT)  

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,  for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every  good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17 NASB)  

“. . . the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as  He walked.” (1 John 2:6 NASB)  

I accept and affirm the Statement of Faith, Statement of Purpose, the Member’s  Covenant and the Constitution of Ness Avenue Baptist Church.  

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourself, it  is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s  workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in  advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)