Service | Saturday at 5:00PM
 
 
 

Member Covenant

click here for printable PDF

Introduction
As Christians, we are members of God’s household (Eph. 2:19), called to function, participate, and minister in a particular place within the body of Christ. A healthy body requires that each member do its part well. A healthy church requires the same: members who are sacrificially committed and well-equipped to do the works of service that God has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10; 4:12). The Crossroad Church holds its members in high regard; we expect them to lead as missionaries of the gospel to the culture surrounding them. God, in his sovereignty, placed us in this city, among these people, in this century, for a reason (Acts 17:26-27).

“…For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” -Romans 12: 3-8

Being a member of The Crossroad Church is really about being part of a family. All members are disciples of Jesus, unified by their identity in Christ. This unity is expressed in the way they collaborate in loving God, loving fellow Christians, and loving non-Christians. Members enter into a covenant with their local church and are called to a higher degree of responsibility and service. At the same time, the elders and deacons covenant to assist members first and foremost, to love and lead them, provide counsel and aid to them, and pray for, teach, and guide them.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” -1 Peter 4: 8-10

What is a covenant?

A covenant in our context is a promise by which we obligate ourselves to one another in such a way that the obligation of one party is not dependent on the faithfulness of the other (Ezek. 20:44; 36:22; Ps. 76:11; Hos. 2:19-20; 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:13). The Crossroad Church Member Covenant includes a statement of faith, a statement of biblical doctrine, the obligations of The Crossroad Church to its members, and the obligations of members to The Crossroad Church. Though the covenant does define the relationship between members and the church, it is first and foremost a promise made to God as a commitment to his glory and his bride, the church (Eph. 5:25).

Statement of faith

  • I am a Christ-follower, saved from the eternal wrath of God by faith in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, through his death and resurrection, by which I am assured of eternal life (John 3:16-18; Rom. 3:23-26).
  • In obedience to Scripture, I have been baptized to personally identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and to publicly demonstrate my commitment as a disciple of Jesus (Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).


Statement of biblical doctrine

  • I agree with the core beliefs of The Crossroad Church, which are founded upon historic creeds (e.g. The Apostle's Creed and The Nicene Creed) and expressed in the doctrinal statement.
  • I understand the importance of submission to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace; I will adhere to The Crossroad Church’s position on primary theological issues, and I will not be divisive over secondary issues (Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 13:7, 17).
  • I agree that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the ultimate doctrinal authority on all matters (Is. 55:11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:15-16; Heb. 4:12).

Obligation of The Crossroad Church to its covenant members

My obligation to The Crossroad Church as a covenant member

  • I have read and understood The Crossroad doctrinal statement and will not be divisive with regard to its teaching. I also understand the importance of submission to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace (Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 13:7, 17).
  • I covenant to submit to the authority of Scripture as the final arbiter on all issues (Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
  • I will actively participate in a missional community where I will seek to grow as a disciple of Christ, connect with and edify others, and live my life on mission (Acts 2:42-47).
  • I will use my spiritual gifts and talents/abilities to actively serve in at least one ministry area of the church, seeking out a leader should I need help finding an appropriate area to serve (Romans 12:4-8).     
  • I will maintain a close relationship with the Lord Jesus through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and practice of spiritual disciplines. My relationship will be evident through my participation in weekly worship services, communion, missional communities, service, and a life that glorifies Jesus (Ps. 105:1-2; Ps. 119:97; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3).
  • I will steward the resources God has given me, including my time, talents, and resources (Prov. 3:9-10; Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 4:1-16; 5:15-18). This includes regular financial giving, service, and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful, and voluntary (Rom. 12:1-8; 2 Cor. 8-9; 12:7-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
  • I will not function in leadership or as a member in another church family (Heb. 13:17).
  • I covenant to submit to discipline by God through His Holy Spirit, to follow biblical procedures for church discipline in my relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, to submit to righteous discipline when approached biblically by brothers and sisters in Christ, and to submit to discipline by church leadership if the need should ever arise (Ps. 141:5; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:5-8; Gal. 6:1-5, 8; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 1:9; 3:10-11; Heb. 12:5-11; Rev. 2:5-7, 14-25).
  • I agree, by God’s grace, to walk in holiness as an act of worship to Jesus Christ, who has saved me from my sin that I could live a new life (2 Cor. 5:17); I will practice complete chastity before marriage and complete fidelity in heterosexual marriage by abstaining from practices such as cohabitation, pornography, and fornication (Job 31:1; Prov. 5; Rom. 13:12-14; 1 Cor. 6:9-7:16; Heb. 13:4); I will refrain from illegal drug use, drunkenness, and other sinful behavior as the Bible, my pastors, and my conscience dictate (1 Cor. 8:7; Gal. 5:19-21). Should I sin in such a manner, I agree to confess my sins to Christian brothers or sisters and seek help to put my sin to death (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; 1 John 1:6-10).


My commitment to the mission of The Crossroad Church

The mission of The Crossroad is to

  • Exalt God
  • Edify one another
  • Evangelize the lost (with a special focus on the South Asian community in DFW). 

I commit to participate in the mission of The Crossroad Church as a diligent, faithful disciple of Jesus, that my identity would be in him, my worship would be of him, my fellowship would be through him, and my interaction with the culture around me would be for his glory.
I understand that this covenant obligates me to the members of The Crossroad and is an acknowledgment of my submission to the elders of the church. I accept the responsibility to notify The Crossroad leadership if at any time I can no longer commit to this covenant, or if I have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding The Crossroad Church.