What it means to be a Covenanting Congregation
[A summary developed from a series of submissions from member eongregatioms. ]
As covenanting congregations, there are many reasons why we are a part of The National Alliance of Covenanting Congregations, but perhaps the most important is that we can remain with integrity within our denomination, The United Church of Canada.
We can clearly see that over time our denomination has turned away from the mission and vision upon which it was founded.
Over the last number of years, our denomination has made some decisions in the areas of faith, morality and the mission of the church that we regard as Contrary to scripture and the historical Christian witness of the church of Jesus Christ,
By worshiping and sharing in the life and service of a covenanting congregation, we continue to be a part of our denomination and yet, at the same time, be able to distance ourselves from these non Biblical directions and decisions
Sometimes, because of positions taken by our denomination or other congregations, we felt alienated and alone in our beliefs and convictions the covenanting movement allows us to feel more at home within our own congregation, secure in what we believe and practice. Belonging to this fellowship of likeminded congregations gives to us a place where we can belong and feel at home. It provides for us to be a part of a regional group of other church congregations in our area who feel and believe the same way.
Regionally, we are able to join with other covenanting congregations in special "Celebration Services" and educational events which give yet other opportunities to "lift up Christ" and to continue "Holding Firmly to The Faith".
It also makes us a part of the National Alliance of Covenanting Congregations, It is reassuring and comforting to know that there are over 110 churches across Canada like ours within The United Church.
Regular communication from across Canada through the NACC and our regional associations enables us to be kept informed of issues and events which are important in the life of our church congregations. This information enables us to be better aware of matters which are being discussed by the leadership of our denomination as well as activities which are being carried out by other covenanting congregations across Canada.
It is also important to realize that being within a covenanting congregation not only benefits us, it also benefits our minister. It gives to our minister a group of like-minded clergy who are able to discuss issues of leadership, share resources and encourage each other in Christ. These ministers share a common vision of ministry and mission.
In some regions, ministerial retreats and special theological study sessions are held to further strengthen the clergy in their resolve to maintain their support of the traditional Christian Faith and Morality which initially brought them into The United Church.
The covenanting movement allows our pastors to stand with us in our commitment to Christ.
In other renewal movements and organizations, lay people and clergy join as individuals In the Covenanting Association we join as a congregation and then stand together in Christ ! Associate membership is also available to individuals who are members of non-covenanting congregations.
Many of us have actually found that joining the Covenanting Association has brought us closer together because we now stand for something we believe, the orthodox Christian faith attested to by the historic creeds as well as The Twenty Articles of Faith of The United Church of Canada.
Together as clergy and laity, we can proclaim and believe what The United Church of Canada officially says it believes in its Statement of Faith.
We are glad that we are a part of a covenanting congregation for yet another reason and that is the hope that our witness of Jesus Christ will somehow renew The United Church of Canada and call it back to a living faith in Christ.
It is our desire to "lift Christ up". In a loving way, we wish to demonstrate to our "fellow believers" in The United Church that orthodox historical faith in Jesus Christ and service to God is as much a reality today as it was almost two thousand years ago.
It is our prayer that The United Church of Canada might return to its God-given mission of proclaiming the saving grace of Jesus Christ to all people and demonstrating God's love in tangible ways.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
This pamphlet is one of a series prepared as commentaries on issues and topics which are of interest and concern to individual members of member congregations. They are provided with the intent of stating the traditional Christian Faith and Morality which are upheld by the congregations of the NACC
[Printed February 1997]