The Membership Covenant clarifies the responsibilities of membership at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Membership is less about rights and privileges and more about our shared responsibility to fulfill the needs of the church together. It reads as follows
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, Angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers, and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God prospers us, toward its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the Word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances, to walk circumspectly in the world, to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise to others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and goodwill towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other's reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other's joys and with tender sympathy bear one another's burdens and sorrows, to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of our Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report to seek to live in the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light
When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.