Transforming Churches: Covenant

The Christian faith is not designed to be experienced in isolation. There are certainly times when a believer may draw aside for contemplation, prayer, and communion with God, but Jesus calls out a people to follow Him.

This, of course, reflects the way that God has worked throughout history. God called Abram out of Ur and promised him that he would be the father of a great nation that would not only be blessed but bless all of the peoples of the world. God made a covenant with Abraham and renewed that covenant with Isaac and Jacob (Israel). When the Hebrews left Egypt, God added a new twist. The covenant now was not just with Moses, but with the people of Israel.

Covenants play an important part in the life of the people of God. In a covenant, we make commitments not only to God but to one another. Covenants not only voice mutual commitments but promise support, encouragement, and identify benefits from being part of the covenant.

When a church considers being part of a transformation process, the decision does not rest with key leaders alone, but must be made by the people. By articulating and affirming a covenant for transformation, the disciples in a congregation are doing several things:

First, they are strengthening their congregational relationships. They are affirming their dependence on one another to accomplish this task.

Second, they are identifying as a people under God’s leadership who are seeking the guidance of the Spirit in this task.

Third, they are offering up and encouraging the sharing of their gifts, time, and talents to achieve this transformation. As someone said, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” God has made us as unique individuals, and each brings something important to the task.

Fourth, they are all agreeing to move in the same direction. Change brings discomfort and fear. The covenant seeks to align the disciples in a church to walk alongside one another in the process of transformation, providing encouragement and support.

A covenant clarifies who we are, what we hope to accomplish, and how we can help each other get there.

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