Covenant

Welcome to the Covenant page.  This covenant includes many of the core values and commitments we stand for together.  Please read, enter your name and email address, select commitments at the bottom, and join us in this effort. Thank you!
 


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Covenant

We, the people of the Buffalo/Western New York area, agree to abide by this Covenant, to create an atmosphere of unity, integrity, love and trust, and to bring maximum glory to God’s kingdom.
In keeping with this we will:
1.   Serve each other as royalty - with dignity, warmth, compassion and brotherly love; listening attentively and respecting our differences - with Jesus as our role model.  
 
      Mark 10:42 - Yet it shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.  And whoever of you desires to be first shall be servant of all.
 
2.   Be patient, quickly forgiving one another and preferring others above ourselves.
 
      Matthew 18:21-22 - Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin  against me, and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
 
3.   Respect the authority of leaders and follow them in unity and in trust.  A leader is someone who sets aside their own personal agenda and takes on a greater agenda of service to others.
 
     Romans 13:1 -   Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
 
4.   Operate with integrity, to the highest good of all, being willing to risk rejection to say the hard things - but saying them in love, being sure to speak blessings.
 
      Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
 
If a conflict or offense arises, we will prayerfully proceed according to the principles of Matthew 18.
 
Matthew 18:15-17 - Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.  If he hears you, you have gained your brother.  But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every work may be established’.  And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.  But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
 
We will not escalate or publicize a problem by indiscriminately discussing the issue with others.
      John 17:21 -      That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one with Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
We promise our support for this Covenant and
Commit our personal efforts to uphold it in our daily interactions.
 
      Romans 12:9-13 - Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil: cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Items of Commitment

I will...

Make amends to any brother or sister in Christ with whom I have a conflict
Pray daily for the spiritual transformation of our area
Choose a regular time to pray daily on the 24/7 prayer schedule
Encourage prayer in church for the spiritual transformation of our area
Encourage others in this effort and to pray daily for the spiritual transformation of our area
Abide by the Covenant
Leave the past behind for the present Kingdom purpose
Participate in city-wide events