what to expect: common questions
What are the people like who come to Alexandria Covenant?
We represent people who are exploring the Christian faith, those who have grown up in the Christian faith, and everything in between. Approximately 800 to 900 people are with us each Sunday.
What is it like at Alexandria Covenant? Here are some phrases that give you a glimpse into our life together:
- Jesus Christ is at the center.
- Everyone matters to God.
- We are learning that it’s OK to be real, to admit we need God.
- Sin is way bigger than we think.
- God’s grace is bigger than our sin.
- People need space to explore anything spiritual.
- You can’t force anything spiritual on people.
- You don’t have to check your mind at the door.
- You don’t have to check your pain at the door.
- All kinds of people feel welcome.
- The Bible defines life.
- Your choices really matter.
- We major in the majors.
- Relationships are more important than programs
- All ages are honored.
- Kids feel important.
- It feels like home.
- Spiritual growth is normal.
- Serving is normal.
- Faith is 24/7.
- Disciple and Christian mean the same thing.
- We want to grow larger (in people’s lives we touch), and smaller (in close relationships) at the same time.
May I take communion?
Anyone who knows and loves the Lord Jesus Christ is welcome to take communion.
What style of music is included in worship services?
The 8:30 AM service typically features traditional music with organ, piano and choir. The 9:45 and 11:00 services are contemporary in style and feature a worship team with drums, guitar, piano, etc.
We celebrate a range of worship styles that help people connect with God. We honor each other in our various expressions of praise and devotion to God—recognizing we are all growing in our ability to worship God in ever-broadening worship language and expressions.
How about ministry to children and youth/students?
We have great opportunities for children and youth/students. Check them out.
Is there anything to eat and drink?
Yes! We serve coffee, juice and cookies on Sunday mornings. Our Alpha course for those exploring the Christian faith includes supper each week.
Are you affiliated with anyone?
Yes, we are a part of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
When is affiliation with a denomination a bad thing?
When a group somehow feels itself better than other groups (which can also happen with unaffiliated groups). We are very grateful to be a part of the broader Evangelical Covenant Church, but we don’t believe we are better than any other group. We seek to honor and serve alongside other Christ-centered churches, groups and denominations.
When is affiliation with a denomination a good thing?
When it provides greater accountability, resources and partnership. We feel like it’s a good thing to unity with a larger body of churches around the world.
What is your bottom line?
We are learning to love God and our neighbors and to experience the inside-out transformation that happens as we encounter Jesus Christ. We desire to keep Jesus at the very center of our shared life together so that individuals, families and communities will be transformed by his unconditional love for us.
What are some good ways to connect?
Come to our worship services. Go to one of our five Sunday morning Adult Connections where we learn from the Bible and set aside time to get to know others. Attend “The Gathering” for adults on Wednesday evenings at 6:30. Go to one of our events. Join a Small Group that is interesting to you. We have many options for men and women. Sign up for our New Connections lunch every second Sunday of the month at 11 a.m.
Take the initiative. We hope that you will find us very friendly, but we’re also not going to bug you. So feel free to grab one of us and say: “Hey, I want to get connected here.”
How can I learn even more about Alexandria Covenant?
Attend New Connections (see above) or sign up for our next Exploring Membership evening, which we offer several times a year on a Sunday evening.
What does membership mean at Alexandria Covenant?
Being a formal member of Alexandria Evangelical Covenant Church is natural if your heart resonates with who we are as a church. Membership is a covenant to:
- Invest your passions – follow Jesus personally and passionately.
- Invest your service – share life together through worship, learning and serving each other and the community.
- Invest your resources – support the church’s local and global ministry efforts with your prayers, financial gifts, time, skills and giftedness.
- Invest your relationships – seek to develop authentic, loving relationships with people—Christ-followers and unbelievers alike.
How do I become a member of Alexandria Covenant?
Becoming a member is a simple process:
- Participate in either an Alpha Course (Monday evenings for 11 weeks, offered fall and winter) or our Foundations course (Sunday mornings for 7-8 weeks, offered late fall and spring).
- Participate in our Exploring Membership evening.
- Complete and turn in a Membership Application.
- Participate in a Membership Interview, which is simply an opportunity for you to briefly share your faith story.
- Upon satisfactory completion of the Membership Interview, be received into membership at a Sunday morning worship service.
For more info, contact the church office at 320-763-5659 or ecc@alexandriacovenant.org.