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We believe the NT sense of mission and purpose places upon the NT church generally, and so upon local congregations, the purpose of establishing other churches. It is our conviction that the bigger picture of evangelism for the local church is to focus on establishing new churches, that the strategy for reaching people in Bakersfield requires this. We believe that this is the NT pattern and the pattern of church history. Consequently, in our longer range vision we are focused on the multi-church strategy, the multiplication of congregations, not the development of a larger mega-church.
We are persuaded by Scripture that Jesus gave his apostles very specific training in ministry methods and structure. For this reason, and because of what we see in the examples of the early church’s apostolic ministry, we are committed to a presbyterian form of church leadership and ministry. The word “presbyterian” refers to the Greek word for elders, and we see Scripture teaching clearly that “the elders . . . direct the affairs of the church” (I Tim 5:17 NIV). The implications that follow are shared leadership among the men who are called to be elders, which includes those we call teaching elders, who are ordained to the preaching of the Word primarily (pastors) and ruling elders, those who are ordained to serve with the pastor(s) to lead and direct the church. The main calling of all elders concerns the ministry of the Word of God, as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-16, where through various means of teaching and preaching the Word, the saints are equipped for the work of ministry to the building up of the body of Christ. Also in accordance with Scripture, the congregation always selects and elects the men who will be their pastors and elders.
In addition to the eldership, Scripture teaches the ministry office of deacon, men also chosen by the congregation and ordained by the elders, according to Scripturally stated qualifications. These men have responsibilities that are directed toward mercy ministries and the stewardship of the church’s resources. But leadership is not exhausted by the roles played by the elders and deacons. God faithfully raises up men and women, whom the elders equip and appoint to lead and direct a variety of ministries within the body.
At Covenant our commitment to Scripture truth and to the Gospel compels us to reject all giving approaches commonly associated with the “prosperity gospel.” We will never use guilt or emotional presentations to engender more giving. We will never promise great blessings materially from God in return for anyone’s gifts to God and His Church. Rather, we believe that Christ builds His church with integrity, especially in the area of finances. We believe that the local church ministry should be supported by those who are an integral part of that fellowship. This support is given weekly as an act of worship. We also believe that all financial accounting is always accountable to the members of the fellowship. Our budget and finance records are open to all who give to this ministry, and to anyone who has a biblical interest in seeing how we are serving the Lord. For us, the words of Jesus are to be taken seriously: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:10-11).
At Covenant our desire is to see God build us up individually, as well as in our marriages and families. We believe that it is most biblical for parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, rather than seeing it as the job of the church. We believe in instructing, equipping and training adults, so that as marriage partners and parents they bring God’s grace and truth into all aspects of their family life. We also like cross-generational ministries and church events, where the whole church family, adults and kids together, are active participants.
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