BOX HILL BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT

As we are called together to be God's people, we will live by the values and in the hope of God's Kingdom. We will value each other as citizens of this Kingdom.

As we are called to follow Jesus, we will model our lives on his leadership and teaching. In love we will serve each other and the world as an expression of our obedience.

As we are given the Spirit, we will seek to discern and act upon that guidance. We will be sensitive to the Spirit's promptings in all aspects of our existence, and will affirm the appearance of the Spirit's gifts in each other's lives.

As God has given each of us a part to play in this congregation, we will respect the different expressions and understandings of faith among us, and together seek to discover through them God's purposes and directions for our corporate life.

Thus we commit ourselves to deepen our knowledge and love of God through corporate worship, disciplined spiritual journey, faithful action in the world and honest fellowship with each other.

We commit ourselves to this local congregation, believing that it is with and through each other we are called in love to serve.

We commit ourselves to act upon our discoveries in the faith, understanding that we are partners with God in bringing the Gospel to the whole of humanity.

(Reproduced here with the permission of the pastor).

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Another church read the following responsively at their Church Anniversary. Everyone in the congregation was given an opportunity to read these words before inviting all who were prepared to commit to them to stand and share in the reading. The wording reflects some of church's Mission and Vision Statement.

'The Lord Jesus Christ calls us to follow Him.

Lord, on this Church Anniversary, we hear again Your call and say "Yes" to You. We commit ourselves to following Jesus - listening to his word and doing it.

We are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength.

Lord God, we love you. We worship you above all. Today, we re-dedicate ourselves to honouring You with all we are, all we have and all we do. We are the People of God.

As God's People we are commanded to love one another, showing ourselves to be Jesus' disciples.

Lord, to honour You, we will seek to love one another.To overcome our pride and prejudices. To forgive and to seek forgiveness. To share our needs, our resources and our abilities. To encourage and care for one another. We will seek to maintain and express the unity we have in Jesus Christ.

Our Father's goal for us is that we shall become like Jesus Christ.

Father, by faith, prayer and obedience we will seek to co-operate with your Holy Spirit as he works in us to make us more and more like your Son. Our Lord has commissioned us to be on mission in the world in His Name and in the power of His Holy Spirit.

Saviour and Lord, we are willing to go with you into mission. To proclaim your Good News of peace. To pass on Christian hope. To share your love in our words, attitudes and actions. Lord, fill us with your Spirit and lead us in your way.

We are called to worship God and love people.

This we will do in the Name of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of God, our Father.'

AMEN.