Our church members unite in covenant together annually as we renew our commitment to serve Jesus together. Here is our covenant below (and downloadable HERE)

SOUTH FORK BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT

I,                                                                                                                   , under the Lordship of Christ and the authority of the Holy Scriptures, unite in covenant to serve God together with my brothers and sisters in Christ at South Fork Baptist Church.

  1. I am a Christian, a follower of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, repenting from sin and believing in Jesus’ death on the Cross and resurrection from the grave. (Romans 10:9-10)

  2. I have been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as a biblical demonstration and witness of my faith. (1 Peter 3:18-22)

  3. I will celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Jesus Christ and as a proclamation of His death and sacrifice for sin. (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

  4. I will worship God in spirit and truth, treasuring and responding to His glory. (Colossians 3:15-17, John 4:23-24)

  5. I will follow Christ faithfully, living a life that is defined by an increasing repentance of sin and a daily drawing near to Christ. (James 4:8-9)

  6. I will put on the full armor of God, remembering my enemies in Satan, the world, and my flesh, but realizing my strength and power in Christ. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

  7. I will commit to being a functioning member, not taking my church family or membership for granted. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

  8. I will pray for and submit to the biblical leadership of our church, making their soul-watching efforts a joy. (Hebrews 13:17-18, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)

  9. I will minister to other members, lovingly serving and praying for them. (1 Peter 4:8-10)

  10. I will be a peacemaking, unifying member of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-16; Matthew 18:15-20)

  11. I will serve and give sacrificially, generously using my time, talents, and treasures to show Christ’s love in tangible ways to others. (1 Corinthians 12)

  12. I will bear witness, in my words and life, of the Good News of Christ to my family, friends, and to the Ends of the Earth. (Romans 6:23; Acts 1:8)

  13. I will be a disciple who makes disciples who love and obey Christ. (Matthew 28:17-20; Deuteronomy 6:7; 2 Timothy 2:2)

  14. If the Lord leads me to leave this church family, I will do so peacefully, committing to unite with another biblically faithful church. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

As a member of South Fork Baptist Church, I am in agreement with our Statement of Faith (Baptist Faith and Message, 2000) and through the Lord’s help will serve Him by striving to live in accordance with our Church Covenant. (Joshua 24:14-28)

Why do we need a church covenant? Throughout Scripture, God’s people regularly committed to serve God together.  Some Old Testament examples are seen under the leadership of Moses the prophet (Exodus 24:7-11), the servant-leader Joshua (Joshua 24:14-18), Jehoiada the priest (2 Kings 11:7), Josiah the King (2 Kings 23:1-3), Asa the King (2 Chronicles 15:2), Ezra (Ezra 10:2-5), and Nehemiah the Governor (Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28-29).  New Testament examples are seen in Baptism (1 Peter 3:21, 1 Timothy 6:12), the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:24; Matt 26:28), and church membership (Matt 18:15-17, 2 Cor 3:6, Eph 5:23, 1 Cor 15:1-11). Covenants have been part of church history (Pliny the Elder, AD 112 “binding themselves by a solemn oath”, Baptist history (see Charles Deweese, Baptist Church Covenants), and South Fork Baptist History.  All South Fork Baptist Church members are currently held accountable to our church covenant (SFBC By-Laws, Article I).

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