Covenant Membership

What does it mean to be a covenant member at Christ City Church?

Everyone automatically becomes a member of the universal church the moment they become Christians (Romans 12:4-5), and all Christians are to be part of a local church. Becoming a covenant member means formally committing to live out our discipleship in the community of the church, and to have our discipleship affirmed and overseen by the church.

A covenant is a formal commitment that seals an agreement between two parties. A covenant member, then, is a Christian who formally commits to living out his/her discipleship in the community of the church, and whose discipleship the church affirms and commits to overseeing.

A. To be a baptized believer

The church is made up of all Christians from across all time. Therefore, to be a covenant member at Christ City, you need to be a believer. The Bible is also clear that all believers are to be baptised. Therefore, we require all believers to be in obedience with God’s instructions by being baptised.

B. Affirmation of Statement of Faith

The statement of faith expresses what we believe a person must affirm so as not to call the genuineness of their faith into question. It is not meant to represent all that a Christian should believe, but the essential truths that a Christian must not deny. These core beliefs are foundational to the gospel message that is the basis of who we are and what we do Christ City Church. Therefore, full affirmation and endorsement of the statement of faith is required.*

C. Honour and respectful submission to Christ City’s Mission, Vision, Values, Theological Distinctives.

Christ City’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Theological Distinctives form our DNA, and informs how we do ministry. These are not primary doctrinal issues, and therefore members are not required to fully affirm them. However, covenant members must be willing to honour and respectfully submit by accepting Christ City’s position and not causing division over them.

D. Commitment to Members Covenant

God instructs believers on how to live as His people, and instructs church leaders on how to oversee all those who are under their leadership in their local church. The members covenant summarises those responsibilities, and covenant members commit to, with God’s help, living out those responsibilities in community, and are asking church leaders to commit to shepherding them as part of the flock.