Editor’s
comment: This covenant was made in 1971 by a group of Seattle pastors under the
leadership of Dennis Bennett of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, a group composed of 30 North
American traveling 5-fold ministries, with a core group of 8 local pastors. It
took them a full week to work this out, but after serious discussion, it was
accepted and signed both by the 30 delegates, and later by many other pastors
in the Seattle-Tacoma Metroplex.
God
used this covenant, as a starting point for creating a city church, to great
effect in the Kingdom. Many of us believe that God is eager for us to lay aside
our “distinctives” and form regional fellowships, regional communities of
faith, composed of many congregations, and believers without congregations.
I
present this example as a testimony of how it was done once. There is more
historical information here.
1. We whose
names are signed below believe that God has set us as leaders within the body
of Christ in our area. We will respect the others whose names are signed below.
(A: 1 Corinthians 12:12-28; Psalm 133.)
2. If at any
time we have any criticism or complaint against any of the others, we will take
the steps prescribed in Matthew 18:15-17 to retain the fellowship of our
brothers: first, go to the person alone; second, if necessary,
go to him with two or more witnesses; third, if necessary,
bring the matter before the whole group. Thereafter, we will abide by any
decision reached by the whole group. (B: Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:16; Psalm
15:3; Proverbs 6:16, 19; 20:19; 26:20; James 3:l-10).
3. If another
person brings to us any criticism or complaint against any of those whose names
are signed below, we will direct that person to take the steps prescribed in
Matthew 18:15-17. If the situation requires, we will be willing to go with that
person as a witness. We will not entertain any criticism or compliant against
any of the others whose names are signed below, except in the presence of the
one against whom the criticism or complaint is made. (B: above).
4. We will also
respect all other leaders within the body of Christ in our area, upon two
conditions: first, that we recognize their lives
and ministries as being morally and ethically sound (C: 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 2
Timothy 2:19-22; Titus 2:7-8); second, that they show
due respect for the scriptures (D: John 14:23-24; 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2; 1 John
2:4-5) the Lord Jesus Christ (E: John 5:22-23; 10:7-9; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1
Corinthians 3:11; 8:6; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1L18; 1 John 4:2-3); the
Holy Spirit (F: John 14:16-17, 26; 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11); and the
body of Christ (G: Matthew 18:17; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17;
5:12-6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24) in our area.
5. We will
likewise respect any ministries whom God may from time to time direct to our
area for the up-building of his body in our area, provided that they fulfill
the two conditions stated in paragraph 4 above. (H: Matthew 10:40-41; Acts
11:22-24; 15:32-33; 18:27; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; Philippians 2:19-29; 3
John 5-8).
6. If at any
time we have reason to believe that persons are seeking to minister or exercise
influence within the body of Christ in our area, who do not fulfill the
conditions stated in paragraph 4, we will not give our endorsement or support
to their ministries or other activities, and we will notify accordingly the
other leaders whose names are signed below, as well as any members of the body
of Christ in our area who look to us for spiritual leadership. (I: Matthew
7:15-23; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:6-9; Titus 1:9-11; 3:9-11; 2 Peter 2; 1
John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-11).
7. We agree that
any one of us will no longer be recognized as a member of this group, if at any
time:
(1) He
voluntarily withdraws from this covenant;
(2) He moves to
a place of residence outside our area;
(3) After fair
and careful examination by the group it is decided that he no longer fulfils
the conditions stated in paragraph 4.
8. New leaders
may at any time be added to this group, or former leaders reinstated, provided
that they fulfill the conditions stated in paragraph 4, and that they
voluntarily and sincerely accept the commitments contained in this covenant.
(NOTE: The above
principles can easily be adapted for a local congregation, especially where
they apply. It would be hoped that local pastors would recognize the discipline
of their various local churches, and stand by a brother pastor or leader when
discipline has been applied. Such a member should not be received by another
local congregation until the problem has been made right.) -J.A.W.
From James
A Watt, one of the elders of the Latter Rain Revival of 1948.
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy.” Revelation 19:10
