What does Covenant mean?
Covenant, "cutting a deal", is a biblical concept. In the Ancient Near East, covenant was a binding agreement in which covenant members had certain obligations and could expect certain benefits in return. What makes a covenant different from a simple binding agreement is that covenant implies meaningful relationship. For example, God covenanted with Noah, with Abram, and eventually with the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai.
Who is the Covenant between, me and God or me and Mars Hill?
Both. As one people, we covenant with God. As a local expression of God's church, we covenant together with each other. This means we covenant with each other and with God.
Why should someone Covenant with Mars Hill?
The ultimate question here is, "Why should someone be part of a church?" Committing your life to Christ, to others in community, and to bringing the healing of Jesus to the world is what it means to be church. Formally signing a Covenant is simply a way of declaring that this commitment to Christ and his church is, in fact, a serious reality in your life.
What's the difference between Covenant and membership?
Both models are expressions of belonging and commitment, and both are biblical. [The Old Testament refers to covenant often, and Paul develops the term 'member' in his letters.] Covenant is Mars Hill's form of membership: Covenant Members receive communications regarding the business of the church and are eligible to vote in meetings.
How can I become a Covenant Member?
Covenant Season takes place annually mid-April to mid-May; this is a time of focused reflection on what it means to embody our shared values [our Directions] as a community. At this time, existing Covenant Members are invited to re-affirm Covenant, and others are invited to affirm Covenant for the first time. Any follower of Christ [13 years of age or older] is invited into Covenant with Mars Hill through the following procedure:
- Prayerfully consider what you are signing and prayerfully interact with others who are already in Covenant at Mars Hill.
- Personally commit to embodying the shared values [Directions] in the Covenant.
- Sign the Covenant Application and submit it to the church office. Persons 13 and older are eligible to enter into Covenant; however, you must be 18 or older to vote at meetings.
What is the role of a Person in Covenant? How can I live that out?
A Covenant Member has committed to live in a particular way, embodying the shared values [Directions]:
embracing the full story of God, understanding its roots and their meaning for us today; maintaining an ongoing spiritual journey; pursuing wholeness; being in community with others; serving one another and the world; and celebrating regularly. Covenant Members keep each other accountable in loving relationships of mutual submission. Served by leadership, House Churches, serving groups, and other forms of community, we take care of one another and help each other to live the way of Jesus. [If you'd like further information on joining a group or serving at Mars Hill, email info@marshill.org.]
A Covenant Member is also eligible to engage in determining the business of the church: in particular, by taking part in the Elder nomination process, by voting on the recommended Elder Team and other matters at the Annual Meeting, and by affirming the proposed budget.