The elder and member covenants are a summary of those responsibilities which we bear before the Lord Jesus and to one another as Christ’s body. These are things we can legitimately expect of one another because the Scriptures are explicit in calling us to these responsibilities together.
Neither elders, nor members will be perfect in fulfilling their responsibilities. That’s a given. But both are able, by God’s Spirit, to be faithful in pursuing these things and in repenting for sinful failures to do so. This is not a weapon to be used against anyone. It’s a tool for nurturing our awareness of what God has called us to and our oneness in that journey together.
Neither elders, nor members will be perfect in fulfilling their responsibilities. That’s a given. But both are able, by God’s Spirit, to be faithful in pursuing these things and in repenting for sinful failures to do so. This is not a weapon to be used against anyone. It’s a tool for nurturing our awareness of what God has called us to and our oneness in that journey together.
Elder Covenant
The Generations Elders covenant to shepherd you in the following ways, by the grace of God and help of the Spirit:
• LEADERSHIP – We will lead every aspect of ministry, to the best of our ability, in dependence upon the Spirit and in submission to the Scriptures.1
• LOVE – We will lovingly care for you and give ourselves to your growth in Christ.2
• SOUND DOCTRINE – We will preach, teach, equip and counsel according to the whole counsel of God’s Word.3
• UNITY – We will nurture unity by guarding our emphasis on the “first concerns” of the gospel message and gospel mission.4
• EQUIPPING – We will equip, develop and mobilize you to use your gifts as an ambassador of Christ within the church and to the world.5
• PRAYER – We will pray for you faithfully, especially when you are sick and suffering.6
• CONNECTION – We will create structures for you to be connected relationally and supported in times of need.7
• PROTECTION – We will guard against teachers and teaching in the church that is contrary to sound doctrine.8
• DISCIPLINE – We will lovingly exercise discipline when it is biblically required, always aiming at the restoration of the individual(s) and the purity of the church as a whole.9
• EXAMPLE – We will evaluate and appoint elders based on the criteria established in Scripture.10
• LEADERSHIP – We will lead every aspect of ministry, to the best of our ability, in dependence upon the Spirit and in submission to the Scriptures.1
• LOVE – We will lovingly care for you and give ourselves to your growth in Christ.2
• SOUND DOCTRINE – We will preach, teach, equip and counsel according to the whole counsel of God’s Word.3
• UNITY – We will nurture unity by guarding our emphasis on the “first concerns” of the gospel message and gospel mission.4
• EQUIPPING – We will equip, develop and mobilize you to use your gifts as an ambassador of Christ within the church and to the world.5
• PRAYER – We will pray for you faithfully, especially when you are sick and suffering.6
• CONNECTION – We will create structures for you to be connected relationally and supported in times of need.7
• PROTECTION – We will guard against teachers and teaching in the church that is contrary to sound doctrine.8
• DISCIPLINE – We will lovingly exercise discipline when it is biblically required, always aiming at the restoration of the individual(s) and the purity of the church as a whole.9
• EXAMPLE – We will evaluate and appoint elders based on the criteria established in Scripture.10
1 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28
2 Colossians 1:28; Galatians 4:19; Hebrews 13:17; I Thessalonians 5:12
3 Galatians 6:6; I Timothy 5:17-18; Acts 20:27-28; Titus 2:1
4 Acts 15:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
5 Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
6 Ephesians 1:16; Colossians 1:9; Philippians 1:4; James 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:2
7 Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35, James 2:14-17
8 Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 3:7-10; 1 John 4:1
9 Matthew 18:15-20;1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20; Titus 3:10
10 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1
2 Colossians 1:28; Galatians 4:19; Hebrews 13:17; I Thessalonians 5:12
3 Galatians 6:6; I Timothy 5:17-18; Acts 20:27-28; Titus 2:1
4 Acts 15:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
5 Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
6 Ephesians 1:16; Colossians 1:9; Philippians 1:4; James 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:2
7 Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35, James 2:14-17
8 Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 3:7-10; 1 John 4:1
9 Matthew 18:15-20;1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20; Titus 3:10
10 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1
Member Covenant
I covenant to nurture a daily apprenticeship with Jesus in the following ways, by the grace of God and the help of the Spirit:
• GATHERING – I will attend and participate in the Sunday gathering with the people of God as a non-optional rhythm for walking faithfully with God.1
• SPIRITUALITY – I will pay close attention to my inner life, repenting for sin, depending on the Spirit, giving thanks to God, and acknowledging my need for God in all things.2
• SCRIPTURE – I will consistently engage with the Bible through reading, study and memorization, to renew my mind, form my heart and align my life with the gospel.3
• COMMUNITY – I will love my brothers and sisters enough to give myself and open myself to honest, gentle and encouraging friendships that reinforce the gospel.4
• MISSION – I will live as an ambassador of Christ, praying for a loving heart to display Christ, and a bold willingness to declare Christ to those who don’t yet know Christ.5
• GIVING – I will give regularly, sacrificially and joyfully from all God has generously given me, both to guard my own heart and to advance the ministry of the church.6
• SERVING – I will use the gifts and abilities given to me by the Holy Spirit, as a way to love and build up the church and to bear fruit as a Christian.7
• SUBMITTING – I will submit to the authority of Scripture in all things, to the strengths of others with whom I am walking, and to the leadership and discipline of the elders established by God at Generations. 8
• RECONCILING – I will be a minister of reconciliation, pursuing biblical approaches to conflict, repenting of sin, forgiving sin, and making unity and peace in the church a priority.9
• FREEDOM – I will steward my own freedoms to God’s glory and in love toward others, and I will honor the freedoms of others, rather than impose my convictions on their conscience where Scripture is not clear.10
• GATHERING – I will attend and participate in the Sunday gathering with the people of God as a non-optional rhythm for walking faithfully with God.1
• SPIRITUALITY – I will pay close attention to my inner life, repenting for sin, depending on the Spirit, giving thanks to God, and acknowledging my need for God in all things.2
• SCRIPTURE – I will consistently engage with the Bible through reading, study and memorization, to renew my mind, form my heart and align my life with the gospel.3
• COMMUNITY – I will love my brothers and sisters enough to give myself and open myself to honest, gentle and encouraging friendships that reinforce the gospel.4
• MISSION – I will live as an ambassador of Christ, praying for a loving heart to display Christ, and a bold willingness to declare Christ to those who don’t yet know Christ.5
• GIVING – I will give regularly, sacrificially and joyfully from all God has generously given me, both to guard my own heart and to advance the ministry of the church.6
• SERVING – I will use the gifts and abilities given to me by the Holy Spirit, as a way to love and build up the church and to bear fruit as a Christian.7
• SUBMITTING – I will submit to the authority of Scripture in all things, to the strengths of others with whom I am walking, and to the leadership and discipline of the elders established by God at Generations. 8
• RECONCILING – I will be a minister of reconciliation, pursuing biblical approaches to conflict, repenting of sin, forgiving sin, and making unity and peace in the church a priority.9
• FREEDOM – I will steward my own freedoms to God’s glory and in love toward others, and I will honor the freedoms of others, rather than impose my convictions on their conscience where Scripture is not clear.10
1 Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Corinthians 11:17-20; Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:27
2 Proverbs 4:23; Jeremiah 17:9; John 15:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:13; Romans 1:21; Matt. 11:28-30
3 Acts 17:11; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 4:12; Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 19:7-12
4 Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; Hebrews 3:13-14; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 John 4:7-11; John 13:35
5 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; John 20:21; 1 Peter 2:9-12; Acts 4:23; Philemon 1:4-6
6 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Matthew 6:21; 23:23; Luke 11:42; 12:24
7 1 Corinthians 12-13; Ephesians 2:10; 4:1-13; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:8-11
8 Isaiah 55:9-11; John 17:17; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 5:5-6; Ephesians 5:15-21;
Romans 12:10, 16; Galatians 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; Matthew 18:15-17
9 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Proverbs 19:11; Matthew 5:23-24; 6:14-15; 7:1-4; 18:15-17; Romans 12:18
10 Luke 4:18-19; Romans 14:13-23; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; 9:19; 10:23-33; Galatians 5:1-13; 1 Peter 2:16; Jude 1:4
2 Proverbs 4:23; Jeremiah 17:9; John 15:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:13; Romans 1:21; Matt. 11:28-30
3 Acts 17:11; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 4:12; Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 19:7-12
4 Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; Hebrews 3:13-14; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 John 4:7-11; John 13:35
5 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; John 20:21; 1 Peter 2:9-12; Acts 4:23; Philemon 1:4-6
6 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Matthew 6:21; 23:23; Luke 11:42; 12:24
7 1 Corinthians 12-13; Ephesians 2:10; 4:1-13; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:8-11
8 Isaiah 55:9-11; John 17:17; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 5:5-6; Ephesians 5:15-21;
Romans 12:10, 16; Galatians 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; Matthew 18:15-17
9 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Proverbs 19:11; Matthew 5:23-24; 6:14-15; 7:1-4; 18:15-17; Romans 12:18
10 Luke 4:18-19; Romans 14:13-23; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; 9:19; 10:23-33; Galatians 5:1-13; 1 Peter 2:16; Jude 1:4