Overview

We believe in the essentials of what all Christian churches believe (as stated in the Apostle's Creed, for example), what C.S. Lewis called "mere Christianity." In short, we are deeply committed to Jesus Christ and passionately engaged in Christ’s ministry in the world.

In doctrine, we affirm the central teachings of the historical Christian church, including one God as three persons: Father; Jesus Christ his Son, fully God and human; and the Holy Spirit who reveals God and is present in the lives of believers.

While many Christians hold these beliefs, we may be more unique in how we believe. We always hold to essentials tightly, and non-essentials loosely. In other words: "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

When you know what the main thing in life is all about, you know who you are and what you are to do. Talk about an advantage in life!

Centered in Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the center of all of life. He is both the source and goal of all of life. The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 11:36, "For from him and through him and to him are all things."

He is the living center of our faith. Not just a person in history, but the eternal Son of God who is alive today through the resurrection from the dead. He invites us to share in His life at the same time, he is the greatest man, the greatest teacher and greatest healer who ever lived.

Jesus is the main thing!

Essentials

Here are six essentials or "main things" that come out of Jesus Christ, the living center.

• We are transformed by His Spirit and grace. We first must admit and turn from our sin and receive Christ's forgiveness and new life, which comes as a gift through Jesus' death on the cross, by God's Spirit and by His grace. Then, by the same Spirit and grace, we are changed as we live by faith, beginning to look more like Jesus in our everyday lives.
• We are under the authority of God's Word, the Bible. We no longer live as our own authority, but enter into the kingdom of God, where His truth is heard and obeyed in our lives.
• We are connected as a fellowship of believers. We believe that everyone who follows Jesus Christ is united as fellow believers. We share a passion for Christ the same as believers around the world and throughout history. Our church is connected with the Evangelical Covenant Church who we partner with in mission around the world.
• We are committed to the whole mission of the church. God calls us to love him and others wholeheartedly, to go into the whole world to proclaim God’s Good News and to make disciples of Jesus, baptizing them and teaching people to obey everything Jesus has commanded. Following Jesus’ example, we also want to minister to those who are sick, poor, hungry, lonely, or oppressed.
• We consciously depend on the Holy Spirit. The Spirit lives and moves in and among believers, and gives gifts to each believer for the benefit of others. We continually invite the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in our life, resulting in Christ-like character and an ability to be used by God to divinely touch the lives of others.
• We have freedom and flexibility within the context of Biblical love. We are free to disagree on things which have been divisive for Christians. We want to keep the main thing the main thing. Our goal is not that we would all be the same, but that real unity be expressed in the midst of our differences.

To download a complete copy of Covenant Affirmations, go to our denomination's website at covchurch.org/affirmations.

The Big Picture

With Christ as our living center, we are transformed, under His authority, connected, and free. This commitment allows us to grow in grace and truth, which is what Jesus Christ is all about! (John 1:14)