C H U R C H C O V E N A N T P T . 3

The Shoreline______________________________________Thoughts while crossing the Bridge

The Church Covenant- part 3:

Our Church Covenant states:

“We commit ourselves to the disciplines of our Faith:

1. Studying the Scriptures diligently

2. Praying regularly

3. Fellowshipping with one another faithfully

4. Discerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our midst

5. Abstaining from that which is contrary to Christ’s teaching and

6. Acknowledging that our time, abilities, and resources are trusts from God to be used according to God’s will and claim on our lives.

” I added the numbers so that it is easier to read that to which we have

committed. As I read these words, it occurs to me that some of us have never heard of this “Covenant” and certainly have not committed to it. We might need to revisit it and our requirements for membership as well? Whatever the case committing to this part of the covenant alone could be life changing. SOAP- Early on in our ministry at OBC I suggested that we all SOAP together. Not meaning that we bathe together, but rather that we S- read the Scriptures together; O- Observe what God is saying to us; A- Apply

God’s word to our lives and P- Pray for understanding and strength to be obedient to God’s written will for our lives. Roman’s 12:1-3 summarizes this really well. By reading His word and submitting to it we learn to, as Larry Gritton suggested, “not do you but to DO JESUS”.

Even when spoken with a southern accent those are great words of wisdom.

-Pastor Brian