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Second Church of Plymouth  
Church Covenant || Scriptural Promise || Covenant for Working and Worshipping Together || Statement of Faith

Our Church Covenant

Called by our Lord Jesus Christ to be God's Witnesses in this time and place, we respond in covenant as the Second Church of Plymouth: We agree to gather as one congregation of God's people and commit ourselves to the service of Jesus Christ, to seek our God and share what we find, to care for each other in Christian love and extend that care to those beyond our fellowship. Through our study of the scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we trust that God will enable us to keep our covenant.

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The Scriptural Promise to Those Who Covenant

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2: 19-22

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Covenant for Working and Worshipping Together for Second Congregational Church of Plymouth

As a community of faith, and out of our belief that Jesus is the center of all relationships, we covenant to keep Christ's message before us at all times and promise to one another that we will:

  • Love and respect each other
    • Building up each other by being considerate and caring, flexible and supportive
    • Treating each other as friends in Christ, knowing this church belongs to all of us
    • Greeting each other in Christian love, belittling no one
    • Respecting our differences as we each walk our own individual, as well as communal, spiritual paths
    • Assisting one another when needed in practicing Walking in the Way
  • Make relationship the most important part of our work by
    • Focusing intentionally on the way we communicate with each other
    • Thinking before we speak and keeping head and heart in balance
    • Taking time for deep listening by suspending our positions and actively listening to someone else who is speaking in order to understand them well
    • Listening to all who speak at meetings and giving everyone a voice
  • Be honest and open with one another by
    • Speaking directly and lovingly with those with whom we disagree, with whom there is a conflict or hurt feelings, or who has broken this covenant
    • Letting God be, in the pause, between the person with whom we are having the conflict or conversation
    • Encouraging others to speak openly
  • Stick to the facts, trusting each other to
    • Not draw conclusions based on assumptions
    • Ask clarifying questions to ascertain the facts
    • Avoid second-hand information and refraining from gossip or criticism
  • Take responsibility for our own actions by
    • Recognizing that we all have responsibility for our own behaviors, feelings, and actions as well as to resolve our differences in the daily walk with our entire church family, and spending more time being pro-active versus reactive
    • Spending more time seeking the best person or group for concerns, problems or conflict resolution, face-to-face and not relying on the Pastor, etc.
    • Finding appropriate help in addressing issues we feel unable to face on our own and making use of church resources (Watchcare Deacons, Committees, Congregational Meeting, etc.)
    • Understanding that, as church members, we all have the responsibility to tell people that they are behaving outside of the covenant, while being covenantal ourselves as we experience it directly or see it happening to others
"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

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Statement of Faith

We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,
     God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God,
and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being,
     create persons in your own image,
     and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior,
     you have come to us and shared our common lot,
     conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,
     creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ,
     binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church
     to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
     to be your servants in the service of others,
     to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,
     to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,
     to join him in passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
     courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
     your presence in trial and rejoicing,
     and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.

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