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Discipleship Covenants Within Mainline Churches
While covenants between congregations and clergy is commonplace
within mainline churches, generally the average disciple of a congregation
is not required to make a personal covenant. Yes, during baptisms
and at other times group covenants are made, and perhaps at a profession
of faith upon entering a congregation disciples might be asked to
covenant. Generally within mainline churches, or at least in the
United Church of Canada, the average person in the pews generally
will covenant to some vague notion of "Sharing in the life
of the community" or "Supporting newly baptised persons
in the mission of the Church. Of course we know that most folks,
in most mainline churches have not cracked a Bible in years, worship
sporatically, and give such a small amount in givings that most
mainline churches are struggling to continue to exist.
We know that specific covenants are not a new idea. John Wesley's
class meetings (small groups of disciples) would covenant together
on various aspects of the faith in order to assist each other in
growing in holiness. What I am proposing is nothing new, however
deeply needed given the rise of our individualistic consumer culture.
More on why I believe leaders and congregations
should covenant together.
Examples of Leadership Covenants
Examples of Discipleship Covenants
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