What is a covenant?
The concept of “covenant” is ancient and had its roots in the bible and the various cultures of the Ancient Near East. In this context, a covenant was understood to be a binding agreement through which both parties had certain responsibilities and could expect certain benefits in return. Unlike a simple contract or a “business deal,” however, a covenant implied a meaningful relationship between the two parties. In this way, God made covenant with Noah, Abraham, and eventually all of Israel at Mt. Sinai. God continues this covenant relationship through Jesus Christ.
Why “covenant” with a local church?
Many believe that this model is the best way for Christians to commit themselves to being disciples of Jesus Christ. Being in a meaningful relationship with God, our neighbor, and the world (including all of creation) is what it means to be the church. This is very different in some ways from what is traditionally thought of as “membership” in the local church. Since we “join” many different groups in our society, the word “membership” carries with it certain assumptions that we may wish to avoid in the context of the church. There may be the thought, for instance, that being a “member” of a church means that there can be no dissenting opinion from the leadership or a particular denomination. “Members,” it may be assumed, are expected to “buy into” the professed agenda 100%. Not so. When a Christian enters into a covenant relationship with a local church, they are agreeing to a meaningful association with that local church, and are expected to exchange ideas and opinions in an environment of grace, love, and mutual respect with other covenant members.
What is expected of those who enter into a covenant relationship?
Those who enter into a covenant relationship with Westwood Church are expected to sincerely pursue the “Six points of the Covenant Relationship” outlined below. Those in covenant seek to understand God’s ongoing story and apply it in a meaningful way to our current context. Those in covenant also seek to live out their ongoing unique spiritual journey, welcoming God’s healing and wholeness into their lives, being in community with their neighbor, serving their neighbor locally and around the world, and celebrating with others in the life of the church, especially in worship.
Six Points of the Covenant Relationship
1. Tradition
At Westwood Church, we affirm the central truths of the historic Christian faith. We see ourselves as standing in a long line of faithful witnesses who have engaged, wrestled with, and interpreted these truths for their particular historic context. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God that has been transmitted through poems, stories, narratives, and letters that communicate to us the divine will for our lives.
THROUGH OUR TRADITION, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO THE PAST.
2. Journey
At Westwood Church, we believe that God is working to restore a fallen creation. Beginning with the covenant with Abraham, God has been preparing a time when the divine presence would draw near and begin the redemptive process. We believe this has happened in the person of Jesus Christ. As a church, we seek to find ways to partner with God in bringing about this renewal both in individual lives and in society as a whole, even as we anticipate the fullness of the future kingdom. We seek to find new and relevant ways to live out and communicate the teachings of Jesus, always knowing that faith is a journey that we must all be on.
THROUGH OUR JOURNEY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
3. Discipleship
At Westwood Church, we believe that it is God’s will for us to be fully integrated persons – mind, body, soul, and spirit. As people of faith, we seek to embrace the grace of God offered through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We value the path of discipleship, seeking to grow in knowledge of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, forgiven of our sins, healed of our brokenness, and restored in the created image of God.
THROUGH OUR DISCIPLESHIP, WE COVENANT TO LOOK WITHIN.
4. Community
At Westwood Church, we value the dignity of all human beings, regardless of differences, because the image of God is in all people. We also believe that faith can only be fully lived out in the context of community, for God has called us to be in relationship with one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to be generous with our gifts, to pray for one another, and to share our stories.
THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO ONE ANOTHER.
5. Service
At Westwood Church, we believe that God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and that the church, through the Holy Spirit, represents God’s continuing presence in the world today. Through the Spirit, we are led to work for justice and peace in the world, bringing relief to those who suffer, comforting those who grieve, and fighting oppression wherever it may be found. We believe that God in Christ calls the church to be a force for change, and that the church is at its best when it serves, sacrifices, and loves unconditionally.
THROUGH OUR SERVICE, WE COVENANT TO LOOK OUTWARD.
6. Joy
At Westwood Church, we believe all of life is sacred, and we are to live our lives with a sense of hope, gratitude, and praise. We take joy in knowing God’s presence with us, no matter what life may bring, and that nothing in all of creation can separate us from God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ.
THROUGH OUR JOY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK UPWARD.
The concept of “covenant” is ancient and had its roots in the bible and the various cultures of the Ancient Near East. In this context, a covenant was understood to be a binding agreement through which both parties had certain responsibilities and could expect certain benefits in return. Unlike a simple contract or a “business deal,” however, a covenant implied a meaningful relationship between the two parties. In this way, God made covenant with Noah, Abraham, and eventually all of Israel at Mt. Sinai. God continues this covenant relationship through Jesus Christ.
Why “covenant” with a local church?
Many believe that this model is the best way for Christians to commit themselves to being disciples of Jesus Christ. Being in a meaningful relationship with God, our neighbor, and the world (including all of creation) is what it means to be the church. This is very different in some ways from what is traditionally thought of as “membership” in the local church. Since we “join” many different groups in our society, the word “membership” carries with it certain assumptions that we may wish to avoid in the context of the church. There may be the thought, for instance, that being a “member” of a church means that there can be no dissenting opinion from the leadership or a particular denomination. “Members,” it may be assumed, are expected to “buy into” the professed agenda 100%. Not so. When a Christian enters into a covenant relationship with a local church, they are agreeing to a meaningful association with that local church, and are expected to exchange ideas and opinions in an environment of grace, love, and mutual respect with other covenant members.
What is expected of those who enter into a covenant relationship?
Those who enter into a covenant relationship with Westwood Church are expected to sincerely pursue the “Six points of the Covenant Relationship” outlined below. Those in covenant seek to understand God’s ongoing story and apply it in a meaningful way to our current context. Those in covenant also seek to live out their ongoing unique spiritual journey, welcoming God’s healing and wholeness into their lives, being in community with their neighbor, serving their neighbor locally and around the world, and celebrating with others in the life of the church, especially in worship.
Six Points of the Covenant Relationship
1. Tradition
At Westwood Church, we affirm the central truths of the historic Christian faith. We see ourselves as standing in a long line of faithful witnesses who have engaged, wrestled with, and interpreted these truths for their particular historic context. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God that has been transmitted through poems, stories, narratives, and letters that communicate to us the divine will for our lives.
THROUGH OUR TRADITION, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO THE PAST.
2. Journey
At Westwood Church, we believe that God is working to restore a fallen creation. Beginning with the covenant with Abraham, God has been preparing a time when the divine presence would draw near and begin the redemptive process. We believe this has happened in the person of Jesus Christ. As a church, we seek to find ways to partner with God in bringing about this renewal both in individual lives and in society as a whole, even as we anticipate the fullness of the future kingdom. We seek to find new and relevant ways to live out and communicate the teachings of Jesus, always knowing that faith is a journey that we must all be on.
THROUGH OUR JOURNEY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
3. Discipleship
At Westwood Church, we believe that it is God’s will for us to be fully integrated persons – mind, body, soul, and spirit. As people of faith, we seek to embrace the grace of God offered through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We value the path of discipleship, seeking to grow in knowledge of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, forgiven of our sins, healed of our brokenness, and restored in the created image of God.
THROUGH OUR DISCIPLESHIP, WE COVENANT TO LOOK WITHIN.
4. Community
At Westwood Church, we value the dignity of all human beings, regardless of differences, because the image of God is in all people. We also believe that faith can only be fully lived out in the context of community, for God has called us to be in relationship with one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to be generous with our gifts, to pray for one another, and to share our stories.
THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO ONE ANOTHER.
5. Service
At Westwood Church, we believe that God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and that the church, through the Holy Spirit, represents God’s continuing presence in the world today. Through the Spirit, we are led to work for justice and peace in the world, bringing relief to those who suffer, comforting those who grieve, and fighting oppression wherever it may be found. We believe that God in Christ calls the church to be a force for change, and that the church is at its best when it serves, sacrifices, and loves unconditionally.
THROUGH OUR SERVICE, WE COVENANT TO LOOK OUTWARD.
6. Joy
At Westwood Church, we believe all of life is sacred, and we are to live our lives with a sense of hope, gratitude, and praise. We take joy in knowing God’s presence with us, no matter what life may bring, and that nothing in all of creation can separate us from God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ.
THROUGH OUR JOY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK UPWARD.
