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For the glory of God,

Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA

exists to worship God and develop His people for service.

 

Relying upon the sovereign grace of God, we endeavor to accomplish this purpose and vision:

• by engaging His people in dynamic, gospel-driven, Christian worship that incorporates various traditional forms.
• by developing His people through worship, Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and witness.
• by utilizing His people in service to our congregation, our community, and our world in order to share Christ’s love with others.

 

As a result, we expect to see:

• God change our church community, which will be recognized through increasing evidence of the fruit of the spirit and unity.
• God change Henderson County, North Carolina, our nation, and the world through the conversion of the lost and greater influence of His kingdom.

 

 

Purpose: 

 

For the glory of God.

 

Glory – admiration, honor, fame

God – the one, true God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus the Christ) and Holy Spirit

 

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

(1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

“For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever!  Amen.”  (Romans 11:36)

 

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

(Westminster Shorter Catechism)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vision: 

 

Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, exists to worship God and develop His people for service.

 

Covenant - our reformed, covenantal theology and heritage

Presbyterian – our form of government

Church – the body of believers in Christ

PCA – our denomination; the Presbyterian Church in America

Worship – adoration, reverence, veneration, devotion

God – the target audience of our worship

Develop – expanding and utilizing our God-given time, talents and treasure

His people – those who profess Christ and trust in him alone for eternal life

Service – the ultimate manifestation of worship and development

 

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”       (Matthew 28:16-20)

 

 

Mission: 

 

Relying upon the sovereign grace of God, we endeavor to accomplish this purpose and vision

 

Relying – we are unable to accomplish these things on our own

Sovereign grace of God – the source of our comfort and strength

Endeavor to accomplish – our duty and joy unto Christ our King

 

 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”  “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 2:13; 4:13)

 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”        (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

By engaging His people in dynamic, gospel-driven worship that incorporates various traditional forms.

 

Engaging – active participation rather than passive observance

His people – our worship is a service designed for believers

Dynamic – changing in form and changing lives

Gospel-driven – the order or liturgy; the re-presentation of the gospel

Traditional – historical; time-honored; corporate unity over the ages

Forms – how the elements of worship are presented

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19-20)

 

“I saw the Lord seated on a throng, high and exalted … ‘Woe to me! I cried.  ‘I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips, and … my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.’  …  With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?’  And I said, ‘Here am I.  Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

 

By developing His people through worship, Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and witness.

 

Developing – changing and growing to become more like Christ Jesus

His people – believers belong to God and are His servants

 

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

 

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 1:6)

 

By utilizing His people in service to our congregation, our community, and our world in order to share Christ’s love with others.

 

Utilizing – to make use of

His people – believers have not arrived – not retired – they have work to do

Service – the ultimate manifestation of our worship and development

Congregation – to serve our members

Community – to serve those in Henderson County

World – to serve those beyond Henderson County

 

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what god is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  (James 2:15-17)

 

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  (Hebrews 6:10)

 

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)

The responsibilities of our senior pastor, ruling elders (the Session), deacons (the Diaconate), and church members are summarized as follows.

 

Sr. Pastor

 

Whereas the session of Covenant Presbyterian Church is responsible for all ministries of the church and we employ a plurality of elders where leadership is shared, we look to the Senior Pastor as being the leader among us and taking the primary role in setting the vision for our church.  Whereas the Senior Pastor does not demand authority or influence over the other ruling elders, nor does he intentionally place himself in a position above them, his godly example and spiritual wisdom should challenge them, as well as each member of the congregation, to spiritual growth.  His primary responsibility is to simply create an environment where God’s voice can be heard.  A senior pastor’s job is to prepare God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:12).

 

 

Ruling Elders

 

Ruling elders are responsible for policy making, membership, discipline, theological issues, staff personnel, and for setting the purpose, vision, and mission of the church.  It is their responsibility to protect the purity, peace, unity and edification of the Church through biblical discipline of Christ’s flock.  They are called to “be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2).  As shepherds, they are to assist and encourage Covenant members and regular attendees, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to worship, develop and serve God using a variety of means.  Shepherds give themselves to pastoring, leading, teaching, and discipling.

 

 

Deacons

 

Deacons are responsible for ministering to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress; for collecting the tithes and offerings of the congregation and to distribute them appropriately; and for caring for church property, both real and personal.

 

 

Church Members

 

Whereas the elders and deacons are the officers of Covenant Presbyterian Church, its members are her ministers.  Not only does the Word of God belong to His people, the work of God belongs to His people.  Though elders and deacons are elected by the congregation, our officers can only fulfill their duties as church members fulfill theirs.  While church officers establish church policy and the various ministries, it is the church members who populate these ministries serving one another in the congregation as well as those in the community and world.