Who We Are: A Member of The Evangelical Covenant Church

WE ARE A COVENANT CHURCH. The Evangelical Covenant Church is a rapidly growing multi-ethnic denomination of more than 750 congregations in the United States and Canada with ministries on five continents of the world. Founded in 1885 by Swedish Immigrants, the ECC values the Bible as the Word of God, the gift of God’s grace and ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the importance of extending God’s love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The centrality of the Scriptures , the Old and New Testaments, as the authoritative Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. We believe it is essential to the life of the Church that it be a company of people who want, above all else, that their lives be shaped by the powerful and living Word of God.

The necessity of the new birth for entrance into God’s kingdom, and the importance of continuing growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ for sound spiritual health.

A commitment to the whole mission of the Church , as Covenanters, like all Christians, are called to proclaim this good news with their lives and words, and by the love and integrity of their communities. In faithful witness, the lost are found in Christ. In acts of generosity and compassion, people are ministered to and justice is proclaimed. In the work of evangelism and mission, we seek to embody the presence of Jesus Christ with head, hands, voice, and heart.

The Church as a fellowship of believers , characterized by mutual participation in and sharing of the new life in Christ. Membership is by confession of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is open to all believers. Consideration of class or race, education or pedigree, wealth or prestige do not enter.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit , who with the Father and the Son calls the Church into being, empowers its witness, guides its mission, and supplies the gifts needed by the Church and its members to exalt Christ.

The reality of freedom in Christ , who delivers us from the power of sin and moves us by his grace into a whole new experience of obedience and life. This freedom allows for differences of opinion in matters of interpretation, doctrine, and practice within the context of biblical guidelines and historical Christianity.

  Covenant churches can be described as

• Evangelical, but not exclusive
• Biblical, but not doctrinaire
• Traditional, but not rigid
• Congregational, but not independent

For more information about the Covenant denomination, visit http://www.covchurch.org