At Redeemer Church, we don't simply add members; we knit together a community of believers. We welcome individuals as well as entire families into our covenant partnership, reflecting our commitment to being a gospel-centered, disciple-making family. With open hearts, we invite you to join us, standing together in unity and faith.

Partnership in a church is a formal acknowledgment of this, and the Redeemer Partnership Covenant serves the following purposes:

1) To join the Spirit in establishing an authentic, Jesus-loving community living out the great commission together.

2) To faithfully commit to the mission of God within a local church.

3) To promote devotion, faithfulness, accountability, and loving unity to Christ among the Redeemer church family.

4) To fulfill God's call for Redeemer Church to be a Gospel-Centered Disciple Making Family.

This covenant does not imply that you will never fall short. Instead, it signifies that your heart desires to fulfill our calling to the best of your abilities. We hope this covenant will be a personal gift to your Christian journey and a blessing to the people around you.

I. What Is a Covenant?

A covenant is a solemn bond, sovereignly administered by God, involving mutual commitments and promises, often with blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. In Scripture, we see God forming covenants with His people—like with Abraham (Genesis 15, 17) and Israel (Exodus 19–24), and the New Covenant established in Christ (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8). Each covenant reveals God’s heart to bind Himself to His people in love and faithfulness, and He invites us to relate to one another in a similar covenantal way (Ephesians 4:25; 1 John 4:11–12).

Biblical Foundations for Covenant Relationships

• Genesis 17 – God’s covenant with Abraham: “I will establish my covenant between me and you…to be God to you.”

• Exodus 19–24 – God covenants with Israel, calling them His “treasured possession.”

• Jeremiah 31:31–34 – Foretelling a new covenant written on the heart.

• Luke 22:20 – Jesus inaugurates the New Covenant in His blood.

• Hebrews 8 – Christ’s New Covenant surpasses the old, enabling a deeper relationship with God.

In light of this biblical heritage, we believe the local church ought to form covenantal bonds—mutual, solemn commitments that reflect God’s covenant love and faithfulness. This Shepherding Covenant between Redeemer’s leadership and its covenant partners is a tangible outworking of that principle.

II. Caring for the Flock (Love, Prayer, and Assistance)

1) We Will Provide Loving Care
“We covenant to provide loving care for you and seek your growth in Christ.”
(Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12)

2) We Will Help You in Times of Need
“We covenant to help you in times of need.”
(Acts 2:42–47, 4:32–35; James 2:14–17)

3) We Will Pray for You Regularly
“We covenant to pray for you regularly, particularly when you are sick.”
(James 5:14)

Why This Matters
Just as Jesus modeled care for His disciples, we commit ourselves to shepherd you lovingly—meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. In John 13:34–35, Jesus says His followers will be known by their love for one another. This covenant ensures our leaders actively demonstrate that love through hands-on support and faithful prayer.

III. Protecting the Flock (Sound Teaching, Godly Leadership, and Discipline)

4) We Will Teach and Counsel from Scripture
“We covenant to provide teaching and counsel from the Scriptures.”
(Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17–18)

5) We Will Teach the Whole Counsel of God’s Word
“We covenant that this teaching will span the whole counsel of God’s Word.”
(Acts 20:27–28)

6) We Will Ensure Our Leaders Meet Biblical Criteria
“We covenant that Redeemer’s elders and deacons will meet the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures.”
(1 Timothy 3:1–13; 5:17–22; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4)

7) We Will Guard Against False Teachers
“We covenant to guard against false teachers.”
(Acts 20:28–31)

8) We Will Exercise Church Discipline When Necessary
“We covenant to exercise church discipline and bold instruction when necessary.”
(Matthew 18:15–20; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1)

Why This Matters
Scripture calls pastors and elders to protect the flock from false doctrine and to guide them faithfully in truth (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:1–5). By committing to teach God’s Word in its fullness and by ensuring leaders meet biblical standards, we safeguard the spiritual health of the congregation. Discipline, though often difficult, is an act of love—restoring those who stray and preserving the purity of the church (Hebrews 12:6–11).

IV. Equipping the Flock (Service, Stewardship, and Setting an Example)

9) We Will Help You Become Equipped to Serve
“We covenant to help you become equipped to serve Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:11–13)

10) We Will Seek God’s Will for Our Church

“We covenant to seek God’s will for our church community to the best of our ability as we study the Scriptures and follow the Spirit.”
(Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–5)

11) We Will Set an Example and Join You in Service

“We covenant to set an example and join you in fulfilling the duties of faithful covenant partners in the church.”
(1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12)

12) We Will Be Good Stewards of Church Resources

“We covenant to be good stewards and managers of the resources of this church.”
(Acts 11:29–30; 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12)

Why This Matters
In Ephesians 4:11–13, the apostle Paul explains that church leaders exist “to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” This means helping every believer discover and use their God-given gifts. Additionally, we commit to stewarding the church’s resources—financial, material, and relational—with integrity and wisdom. By setting an example in service, we invite every member to follow Christ wholeheartedly, ensuring we honor Him together as a faithful spiritual family.

With the guiding help of the Holy Spirit, I and my household (if applicable) publicly proclaim the following:

1) I am a Christian who has been saved from my sins by the grace of Jesus Christ through faith. I have accepted His gift of salvation, bought by His death on the cross, as He endured the punishment for my sins and His resurrection through which I am gifted eternal life (John 3:16–18; Romans 3:23–26). In obedience to Scripture, I have been baptized.

2) As an individual (and family unit, if applicable), I will seek to maintain a close relationship with the Lord Jesus. This will be accomplished by studying the Scripture, prayer, other habits of grace, and family worship (Psalm 119:97, Ephesians 6:4). As I walk with the Lord, I will strive to grow in holiness and reflect Christ-likeness in all areas of my life, my character, and my actions.

3) I will faithfully commit myself to Redeemer corporate gatherings and a Gospel Community (Psalm 105:1–2; Acts 2:42–47; Hebrews 10:23–25, Ephesians 5:19-21).

4) I will give resources cheerfully, voluntarily, and sacrificially to Redeemer as we seek to expand the kingdom of God together (2 Corinthians 8–9, James 2:14-17).

5) I will share my life and faith with those around me and participate in God's missional purposes (Matthew 9:37-38, Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 10:11-15, Philemon 6).

6) I will volunteer my time to help Redeemer live out the vision as a Gospel-Centered, Disciple-Making, Family (Ephesians 5:21, Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:5-7).

7) I will follow the biblical procedures of church discipline (bold biblical instruction) regarding my brothers and sisters in Christ and submit myself to church discipline if the need should ever arise (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5:1–5; 2 Corinthians 2:5–8).

8) I have read the Redeemer's belief summary, and I understand that Redeemer’s doctrinal statement will be taught to Redeemer Church (Galatians 1 & 2 Timothy 4:1-3).

9) I commit not to be divisive on any theological statements taught by the elders or other secondary issues but to seek unity in the body purposefully (Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17-18, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, & Ephesians 4:3).

10) I understand the importance of showing honor to church leadership, and I will be diligent in preserving unity and peace and preventing gossip and relational discord (1 Timothy 5:17; Ephesians 4:1–3; Hebrews 13:7, 17).