YOUR COVENANT or PROMISE

The most significant requirement of belonging to a Congregational church is that you develop and nurture your PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with God.  Congregationalists believe that is best done when you join with fellow believers in the “worship and work of God.”  If you choose to do this, the church requires you, as stated in our constitution, to enter into a covenant in which you promise to:

“serve the church community through:

1. Prayer

2. Presence at worship service and other functions

3.  Financial support of the church community and benevolence      and

4.  Christian service in daily life offered to all God’s people”

The quantity and quality of your service is, like your personal relationship with God, personal.  It needs only reflect your circumstances, abilities, interests, and the promptings of your heart.  However, to verify you are indeed honoring your covenant, evidence of doing all of the above are REQUIRED and need to be DOCUMENTED, at least yearly, as our constitution requires that we keep an accurate record of members.  If you serve, however you see fit, you are accorded Full Membership with voting privileges.  If you donate by check that is your record. If you give cash, put it in an envelope with your name on it. There will be envelopes available in the pews. The amount you give and how often is entirely up to you.

If you want to retain your membership in another church, but still want to join in the “work and worship” of God  and have voting rights at Ingle Chapel, you may, in writing, ask the Church Council to grant you an Associate Membership.

You remain a Full Member with member rights as long as there is evidence of the covenant being kept at least yearly, or until you ask to be removed, transfer your membership, or until there is no evidence of membership status for two or more years.