A Pastoral Covenant

 I covenant to uphold the historic faith of the Church as expressed in the Bible and
embraced by the Church since the first century. Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all
diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto
you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints.” A summary of my doctrinal beliefs is set forth in the Baptist
Confess of 1689. Elaboration can be found on the CD that has been provided.

 I covenant to display no atrocious sin through immoral or unethical conduct or

knowingly fellowship with those who do except in the context of pastoral ministry.
The Scripture will define improper conduct. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 I wrote unto you in an
epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this
world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs
go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any
man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or
a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

 I covenant to fulfill my responsibilities in a kind manner without causing

dissension or showing disregard for the Biblical structure of the Church.
Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own
things, but every man also on the things of others. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have
the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that
must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you.

 I covenant to refrain from any attitudes, words, or conduct that will cause division
in the Church and sow discord among the brethren and I will not have fellowship
with those who do. Romans 16:17-19 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your
obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I
would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

 I covenant to fulfill my position as a servant-leader to feed the flock of God and

oversee the work of the ministry without becoming domineering and
argumentative or abusive of that authority. 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which
is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but
being ensamples to the flock. 3 John 1:9-11 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes,
who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I
come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious
words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and
forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not
 that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that
doeth evil hath not seen God.

 I covenant to maintain a position of Biblical separation from the world and its
influences. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship
of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is
the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth
in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

 I covenant to settle all disputes within the Church structure on the authority of the
Bible alone without going to civil law or relying on worldly parliamentary
procedures reflected in such books as Robert’s Rules of Order. Only God’s Word,
the Bible, should define the character of Christians and direct the conduct of the
church body. 1 Corinthians 6:1-7 Dare any of you, having a matter against another,
go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints
shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to
judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more
things that pertain to this life? 4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this
life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5I speak to your shame. Is
it so, that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge
between his brethren? 6But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the
unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly afault among you, because ye go to law
one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer
yourselves to be defrauded

 I covenant that if there is ever a situation that needs to be publicly addressed as

commanded by Christ in Matthew 18 the goal will be with a view to restoration to
fellowship. Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and
tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall
neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him
be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever
ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted.

 I covenant that no one will be asked to make a public confession apart from
repentance and confession by all that are part of the controversy. Matthew 7:5 Thou
 hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to
cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much.

 I covenant that I will not render a final judgment on any matter before hearing all
sides of concern. Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is
folly and shame unto him.

 I covenant that I will refrain from acrimonious discourse to include applying

hurtful names or labels to others such as, but not limited to, calling them a “liar”,
“manipulator”, “self-willed”, “dictatorial”, “domineering,” deceiver” etc. Colossians
4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man.