We recently had a gospel partners meeting where, as well as sharing some significant things on the horizon we took some time revisit the commitment we make to one-another as believers in this local church.
If you aren’t aware, Gospel Partnership is a what we call church membership. The reason we use this language is becuase it better describes what individual Christians are getting themselves into when they covenant with a local church. It is a committement to partner with other beleivers to love-another and glorify God together. From the get go, if you aren’t a gospel partner, and would like to be, grab a handbook from the welcome desk and then come and chat to an elder.
A Partnership, not a Subscription
Gospel partnership is not a subscription service where you pay a monthly fee to receive something in return. In fact, if we did view it like this… it’s a pretty hard sell. What you get – a say in big decisions, an invite to a couple of meetings and you can see our financials if I like. What it costs – well if we go by the gospel, it will cost you everything. The cost/benefit analysis on that is pretty poor.
At the end of the day it is a commitment, a covenant we make with one-another to give. And because it is a reciprocal covenant, a mutual giving, it should be one of the greatest blessings we have as Christians.
At our recent Gospel Partners meeting we went through the covenant we make, which you can find on pages 13-14 of the handbook (FYI).
Although for now, let me just point out a few things that I think are worth repeating.
Elders Covenant
On page 13 you will find the covenant that we as elders make to the gospel partners of our church. The reason we have this here isn’t merely a reminder of what godly leadership commits to, it is here becuase we give our gospel partners the responsibility to hold us to account.
We are not infallible men. We are prone to make mistakes, and so we ask for grace, although if we have wronged anyone, or failed to uphold the committments we make as elders, we ask you to hold us accountable. If we have been domineering rather than humble, unfaithful in teaching God’s word, or harsh rather than gentle, then we ask for your loving correction. Likewise, we also do not know, see or hear everything, so secondly, we welcome our gospel partners feedback and insight. This doesn’t mean we are swayed by every idea or peice of information, but it means we welcome the investment of every member of our church.
Gospel Partnership Covenant
As a committment to give, gospel partnership is a call to be active participators in the life and community of the church. Gospel Partners committ to endevour to build up, pray for and serve others. We also state in our covenant that we will ‘pursue Biblical community’. That language is intentional. The reality is that friendship, and real community isn’t easy. It used to be when you were four, and could build a lifelong relationship based on a shared love for dolls or diggers. Yet as adults, freindship requires a whole lot more work. You know the old saying – “you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends.” Well in the church, you can’t choose your church family, but you all called to be friends with them.
This means we are called to love people, to build community with people, to help people, that we otherwise maybe wouldn’t choose to fellowship with. Why? because we have a shared love for Jesus. That takes deliberate pursuit… so, how can you do that better? Maybe you could start by considering how you can do the following:
- “By rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep, and bearing the burdens of others with gentleness and patience.” (Rom 12:15)
- By drawing nearer to your community when you are suffering, rather than pulling away – (you don’t know how that might bless others).
- Ask what you can be praying for often, pray for others, AND follow up and keep accountable.
The local church exists to glorify the Son of God as we proclaim the gospel of Jesus to saints and sinners. How we love one-another should be a little gospel picture of the grace, love, gentleness and joy that Christ has given us.
Grace to you, Glory to God.