hey team-
here is our covenant thus far, jeanette is working on condensing the main points onto one page. we wanted everyone have access to both. looking forward to speaking with you tonight.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone
has a complaint against another, forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven
you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds
everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all
wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF PRAYER
We will commit to praying for one person on our team all day, each day
.
‘And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.’
Ephesians 6:18
We will commit to having an attitude of listening prayer throughout each day.
‘Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.’
Jeremiah 42:3
We will commit to asking for prayer as needed and receive it
(24 prayer weekly?)
‘Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.’
James 5:16
GROWING IN GOD’S WORD
We will refer to the living word as our ultimate authority
.
‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness.’
2 Timothy 3:16
We will commit to cultivating a passion for God’s word
.
‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.’
Psalm 119:18
We will seek to have personal time and relationship with our God through quiet times.
(By:
reading the bible, reflecting on God’s word, praying, asking God to reveal His truth to us, journaling).
‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing’
John 15:5
We will seek to live a Spirit led life and to living a life of worship
.
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’
Galatians 5:22-23
‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.’
Romans 12:1
KEEPING EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE
We will commit to respecting our team leaders and their decisions
.
‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.’
Ephesians 6:7
We will commit to being flexible amidst our ever changing circumstances
(don’t neglect to laugh, don’t state the obvious, be uniquely challenged once a week, take care of ourselves, try new things in different cultures, cultural accountability).
‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.’
Romans 12:6-8
We will hold each other accountable to personal issues as needed to maintain our Godly walk
.
‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us
run with perseverance the
race marked out for us.’
Hebrews 12:1
‘Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.’
2 Timothy 4:2
FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER
We will respect each other
(family first, love languages, no pushing buttons, practice being assertive, need for silence and space, no sarcasm, refrain from gossip, no complaining, no exclusive relationships, be honest, speak the truth in love, make no assumptions, express expectations).
‘Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.’ Romans 12:10
‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.’
Ephesians 4:29
‘My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.’
James 1:19
We commit to swift resolution of conflict
(go to the person you have a problem with, slow to anger, be real with one another, be honest, practice being assertive, bring everything to God first).
‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’
Ephesians 4:2
‘If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses’
Matthew
18:15
-16
‘Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.’
Romans 14:19
We commit to bearing each other’s burdens and spurring one another on
(encourage each other daily, hugs, take care of each other, ask for help, affirm each other).
‘So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in
this, no one left out, no one left behind.’
1 Thessalonians 5:11
‘Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.’
Galatians 6:1-3
BEING SERVANTS IN CHRIST
We will develop and maintain a servant attitude toward our teammates and all nationals
(wash feet, respect the work that is going on in the country with the particular church/agency/persons we work with, respect our host’s view of Christianity, refrain from negative political comments)
‘…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Mark 10:43-45
‘Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’
John 13:14-17
We will seek opportunities to share the Gospel
‘But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’
1 Peter 3:15
‘Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.’
Matthew 28:18-20
work hard, play hard, rest hard,
pam
