At Evanston Baptist Church, every Christian is challenged to actively participate in God’s mission of making disciples of Jesus. From Evanston to the ends of the earth, we exist to bring God glory as we join Him in His mission. An essential part of this challenge involves formally uniting with the church by covenant, which is a list of particular biblical promises that we make to one another.

Evanston Baptist Church Covenant

Acknowledging God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord, welcoming believer’s baptism by immersion, recognizing that the integrity and vitality of the church are precious to our Lord, and trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit, I say to Evanston Baptist Church, you can count on me:

• To be faithful in attendance and to unite with another church as soon as possible when I move from this place.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and allthe more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

• To help sustain the church through regular giving.

“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)

• To bear witness to the gospel in the world.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in al Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

• To shun destructive chatter.

“I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” (2 Corinthians 12:20) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29)

• To join in the care and encouragement of members of the fellowship.

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)

• To seek service according to church needs and my spiritual gifts.

“Each one of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

• To so conduct myself as to bring honor to the Lord.

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27a)

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

• To biblically express and address grievances with restraint and proportionality, placing high value on unity in the church.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)

• To study and train for growth in understanding, skill and spirit.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

• To pray regularly and specifically for the concerns of the church.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)

• To honor and defend biblical preaching, teaching and ministry.

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:2-5)

• To make myself accountable to these standards.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

• To resign or to accept removal for chronic, striking and unrepentant indifference to these standards.

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-18)

Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: ________________