Why do we have a Church Covenant?
As Baptists, we believe that it is the right and responsibility of each believer to come to a personal faith in God and in God’s special revelation in Jesus Christ. Baptist Churches typically do not have CREEDS that state exactly what we all profess to believe. Because of our Baptist freedom from hierarchy, every Baptist congregation must take the responsibility to define its own faith. We rely on a sacred covenant — that is, a contract among members with the help of God – to bind us together and outline the expectations we have of our church and of each other.
CHURCH COVENANT OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WOLLASTON
As we trust we have been brought by divine grace to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves to Him, so we do now solemnly covenant with each other to walk together in Him, in brotherly love;
That we will exercise a fraternal care and watchfulness over each other, and cultivate sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech, being slow to take offense and always ready for reconciliation;
That we will ever remember the Church in our prayers, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together for worship, and will regularly contribute of our means, as the Lord shall prosper us, for the support of a faithful evangelical ministry among us and the spread of the gospel among all nations;
That we will not neglect secret prayer or the study of God’s Word, nor the great duty of religiously training our children and those under our care for the service of Christ and the enjoyment of the life to come;
That we will seek divine aid to enable us to walk circumspectly and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust, endeavoring by example and effort to win souls to Christ;
And through life, amidst evil report and good report, to seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.