Baptism

I affirm, in obedience to Scripture, that I have been baptized as a public declaration of identification with Jesus, his death and resurrection, and as a sign of membership of the covenant community (Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).

Spiritual Authority of the Elders & the Pursuit of Unity

I covenant to submit to the pastors/elders and other appointed leaders of Sound City Bible Church, out of reverence to, and in recognition of, the loving authority of Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, and to diligently strive for unity and peace within the body (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5).

Financial Support of God's Work in and through Sound City Bible Church

I covenant to financially contribute cheerfully and generously in support of the ministries of Sound City Bible Church, the expenses of the church, the aid of church members experiencing financial hardship, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel (2 Cor. 8–9; Gal. 2:10; 3 John 5–8).

The "One Anothers" of Scripture

I covenant to walk together in brotherly love, exercising affectionate care and watchfulness over one another, faithfully admonishing and entreating one another as circumstances may require (Rom. 12:9–16; Heb. 10:24). Additionally, I covenant to pay careful attention to the dozens of other “one-another” commands given in Scripture, in order to joyfully seek the building up of the body of Christ, and my own sanctification (John 3:34; Rom. 12:10, 16; 14:13, 19; 15:7, 14; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 4:32; 5:21; Col. 3:9; 1 Thes. 4:18; James 5:16).

Prayer

I covenant to regularly pray for Sound City Bible Church (1 Thes. 5:17, 25), its leaders (1 Tim. 2:1–2), its Covenant Members, and for the advancement of the gospel through its ministries (Col. 4:3; 2 Thes. 3:1).

Mission, Core Values, and Beliefs

I covenant to take seriously, and to live out an intentional and active commitment to the mission, values, and beliefs of Sound City Bible Church (Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10; 1 Th. 2:12; Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:20–21).

Handling Conflict Biblically

I covenant to communicate to the elders or any other Covenant Member regarding any offense that I feel may have been committed against me only after I have first prayerfully considered the situation and I am confident that I am seeking an outcome focused on understanding, forgiveness, reconciliation, and gentle rebuke and correction where necessary (Eph. 4:29–32; Gal. 6:1), as fits the circumstances of the situation and in keeping with Matt. 18:15–20.

Votes of Affirmation

I covenant to participate in the affirmation of the church elders and certain other leaders as well as the affirmation of the annual church budget as a fully engaged and well- informed participant in the mission of Sound City Bible Church.

Regular Consideration & Recommitment

I covenant to prayerfully reconsider my commitment to Sound City Bible Church and the Covenant Member affirmations listed here on an annual basis in order to intentionally reassess my ongoing alignment with the church’s mission, values, and beliefs. If at any time I feel I can no longer adhere to these covenant commitments and live them out joyfully, I will notify the elders of Sound City Bible Church and seek to work through my questions or concerns peaceably, in pursuit of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1–6; Rom. 12:18).

Pursuing Covenant Faithfulness in Another Local Church

If at some point I move on from this church, I will inform the leaders of Sound City Bible Church, and then as soon as possible unite with another church where I can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the biblical principles of God’s Word (Heb. 10:24–25).