Pastor/Church Covenant
When our Lord Jesus established His Church, He built it on covenants.
His covenant with us as individuals.
His covenant with us as a Church.
Our covenant with each other as members of the church.
And...
Our covenant as a church with our pastor.
Knowing that our pastor is but one man, and should not be required, or even expected, to "do the work of the Church" alone... Knowing that the pastor is our shepherd, not our pack horse... Knowing that the Church and Pastor MUST rely on each other, in the Lord's strength, in order to accomplish The Lord's purpose for His Church... Please be in prayer concerning the following covenant.
Covenant Understanding Between Pastor and People
1 We must discover the activity of God and adjust to it. It will be unique to Oak Forest Baptist Church.
2. Undergird everything with prayer.
3. We must walk by faith Think big not small. ("With God nothing is impossible.")
4. The bottom line is not "can we afford it" but "is it God's will?" (Where He guides He provides)
5. Everything should be done in the light of the church's mission statement. (We glorify God by reaching people)
6. All matters should be subjected to the Scriptures. (The issue is truth not tradition or convenience )
7. The Church is a hospital for sinners not a country club for saints.
8. Problems will be dealt with, not ignored.
9. Hard work is necessary. (William Carey said, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.")
10. Strive for week-long and year-long ministry (not just Sunday or seasonal ministry).
11. There must be constant adjustment for growth. We cannot get overly comfortable. We must create new Bible study units, new ministries, and constantly improve the quality of education.
12. Recognizing that most people have limited time for Church, we must maximize time and do the most Important.
13. Ministry is more important than meetings. (committees, etc.)
14. Each Christian should discover his/her gift, passion and ministry.
15. We must seek to understand our cultural context and minister to it (baby-boomers, X-generation, etc.)
16. We should strive for quality and excellence in every area (appearance, music, publication, etc )
17. The Pastor and staff should be allowed to initiate and lead with trust, support and prayers of the church.
18. Criticism, murmuring and slander must not be allowed to disrupt the fellowship. The Deacons act as peacemakers.
19. We must recognize the need for additional staff to equip believers. (Rarely does a church have too many staff. They pay their way ) This involves more ministers and support personnel.
20. The family must be strengthened not undermined.
21. Outreach must be the priority.
22. We must be vitally concerned with meeting needs and healing hurts through ministries and developing relationships.
23. Biblical doctrine is nonnegotiable; methods are open to evaluation.
24 Since all sin and make mistakes, an attitude and atmosphere of grace must abound.
25 We must seek to be a lighthouse and minister to all our community, the Metro Jackson area, Mississippi, and the world.Dr. Gary Blair