Our Gospel Covenant

Elder(s) to The Refuge Church Body 

As shepherds and overseers of a local church, elders are entrusted with protecting, leading, equipping and caring for the corporate church body and her individual members. The following is a rather extensive overview of the requirements for elders as spelled out within the Scriptures. 

The elders covenant: to commend elders and deacons (including staff members who serve in these offices) according to the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures (1 Tim. 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Pet. 5:1–4), to prayerfully seek God’s will for our church community and steward her resources to the best of our ability based on our study of the Scriptures and following of the Spirit (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1–4), to care for the church and seek her growth in grace, truth and love (Matt. 28:16–20; Eph. 4:15–16; Col. 1:28; James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1–4), to provide teaching and counsel from the whole of Scripture (Acts 20:27–28; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:1–5; Titus 2:1), to equip the members of the church for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11–16), to be on guard against false teachers and teachings (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:28–31; 1 Tim. 1:3–7; 1 John 4:1), to lovingly lead the church in discipline when necessary, for the glory of God, the good of the one disciplined and the health of the church as a whole (Matt. 18:15–20; 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1; James 5:19–20), and to set an example and join members in fulfilling the obligations of gospel partnership stated below (Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7–8; 1 Pet. 5:3).

Gospel Ohana to The Refuge Church Body 

As those who have experienced the grace of a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to reflect the character of Christ through the pursuit of certain attitudes and actions and the rejection of others. The Scriptures refer to this reality as “living by the Spirit” (Rom. 8). The requirements of this covenant are in no way intended as an addition to the biblical obligations of a believer. Rather, this document functions primarily as an accessible yet non-exhaustive explanation of what the Scriptures teach about the obedience that faith produces. 

We covenant: to submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final arbiter on all issues (Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:14–17; 2 Pet. 1:19–21), to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of spiritual disciplines (Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 9:24– 27; Eph. 5:1–21; 1 Thess. 5:12–22),

to follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the ordinances prescribed to His Church: 
• by being baptized after conversion. 
• by regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of Christ through communion. 

to regularly participate in the life of The Refuge Church by attending weekly services, engaging in gospel-centered community and serving those within and outside of this church (Acts 2:42–47; Heb. 10:23–25; Titus 3:14), to endeavor by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends (Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 1:16), to steward the resources God has given me, including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances. This includes regular financial giving, service and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful and voluntary (Matt. 25:14–30; Rom. 12:1–2; 2 Cor. 8–9; 1 Pet. 4:10–11), by God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13–16, 4:1–3), to refrain from such activities that the Scriptures would deem foolish (Rom. 14:14–23), to take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, especially actions or situations that could present a stumbling block to another (1 Cor. 8:1–13),

to submit to the discipline of God through His Holy Spirit by: 
• following the biblical procedures for church discipline where sin is evident in another—the hope of such discipline being repentance and restoration. 
• receiving righteous and loving discipline when approached biblically by fellow believers (Ps. 141:5; Matt. 18:15–20; 1 Cor. 5:9–13; Heb. 12:5–11). 

to do the following when I sin: 
• confess my sin to God and to fellow believers. 
• repent and seek help to put my sin to death (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; James 5:16; 1 John 1:6–10). 

to submit to the elders and other appointed leaders of the church and diligently strive for unity and peace within the church (Eph. 4:1–3; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5),

and to do the following should I leave the church for righteous reasons: 
• to notify the a Pastor at The Refuge Church. 
• to seek another church with which I can carry out my biblical responsibilities as a believer.