In Blazing Fire’s Journey with God and with Each Other

What Does A Covenant of Belonging Look Like?

Pastor Brent Lokker February 28, 2015

Covenant was established with the Trinity--Father, Son & Holy Spirit

Hebrews 6:13-15“When God made the promise to Abraham, He swore by His own self, since there was no one greater He could swear by: I will shower blessings on you and give you many descendants. Because of that, Abraham persevered and received fulfillment of the promise.”

“Since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous descendant, heirs according to the covenant promises.” Galatians 3:29

(Chapter 3)

Marriage

“Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness.” Ephesians 5:25-27 (Message)

A Covenant of Belonging to our Blazing Fire Family

LOVE LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8 (BARCLAY’S)

Love is patient with people. Love is kind. There is no envy in love; there are no proud claims; there is no conceit. Love never does the graceless thing; never insists on its rights, never irritably loses its temper; never nurses its wrath to keep it warm. Love finds nothing to be glad about when someone goes wrong, but it is glad when truth is glad. Love can stand any kind of treatment; love’s first instinct is to believe in people; love never regards anyone or anything as hopeless; nothing can happen that can break love’s spirit. Love lasts forever.

God has demonstrated His covenant affection for each of us with the dream of seeing His children living out similar covenant relationships with one another in the power of His Spirit. It is His plan for us to enjoy the same connection with each other that Jesus and the Father have (John 17:21-23). These covenant relationships will take intentionality and, at times, some hard work. Knowing there is always grace as we grow in learning how to do life together, we affirm that:

•We belong to one another (Romans 12:5) •In genuine relationships, we add to one another •We need each other because everyone is

important •We are for each other (in this for each other’s best) •We will choose to stay connected, working through

conflicts to a mutual, healthy resolution •We will learn and use healthy relationship tools to

keep our love on with one another. •We are made for intimacy (letting another know

what is happening inside of yourself) and transparency (being real and genuine).

Benefits of Being in Covenant Relationship with our Blazing Fire Family !

1. A Spirit led environment for you to grow in your love for God and others.

!2. A greater sense of belonging. !3. You will add your value to others and they will add their value

to you. (Not a consumer mentality that belongs to an organization for as long as they meet your needs)

!4. A safe atmosphere for you to heal, grow and then impact

society wherever you are. !5. A culture of support and encouragement to help you know

your true identity in Christ and value for what God has entrusted to you to release to others.

6. Loving and honest feedback from Blazing Fire leadership to help you mature.

!7. Greater accountability, because when you are in deeper relationship with people you care about, then who you are and what you do matters.

!8. Being part of the vision of Blazing Fire Church to encounter God, learn to love well in our family and be awakened to His passion in you to change the world.

!9. You will grow in our Kingdom-based core values that are essential to every day life. You will learn to live out these core values wherever you are.

Requirements to Enter into a Covenant Relationship with our Blazing Fire Family

!1. Place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior (Romans 10:9-10)

!2. Be water baptized as a believer (Acts 2:38) !3. If you are new to our Blazing Fire culture, attend a class related to this Covenant of Belonging.

!4. Sign the Covenant of Belonging to our Blazing Fire Family. !5. Publicly declare your desire to belong in covenant with our Blazing Fire family and be received and welcomed by the leaders in a ceremony during our worship service.

Once in Covenant Relationship with our Blazing Fire Family, these become Priorities:

!!1. Be part of a small home group, ministry group or accountability group where you will know others and be known by them to learn and grow and mature in a healthy and life-giving atmosphere.

!2. Live out shared responsibility for upholding our core values and implementing the vision of Blazing Fire Church. This includes investing your time, your passion, your skills, and your generous financial giving towards our shared mission.

!

I choose to enter into a covenant of belonging with our Blazing Fire family. I want to grow and flourish here. I want deeper connection and healthier relationships with others in our family as we live from our shared mission, vision and core values. Therefore, I will allow God to heal the places in my heart that would cause disconnection and to teach me how to love well in my relationships. Because I am a significant part of our family, who I am and what I do matters. Therefore, in our Blazing Fire family relationships, I will love, honor, celebrate, encourage and add value. I choose the adventure of learning how to live wholeheartedly with my Blazing Fire family.

Covenant of Belonging to our Blazing Fire Family