Covenant Church

Two leadership sessions this past Saturday were held with men. We looked into the character and structure of Covenant Church. Who are we? What is our character? What is the model for leadership structure?

We recognize that Covenant Church is one of the 100 largest Church of God congregations in the United States. If we were to count extension churches we would easily be in the top 25 largest churches of our denomination in the United States. We recognize that Covenant Church is in the top 5% of the largest congregations in the United States. About 75% of churches in the United States have less than 75 persons, with a mean average of about 50 among this grouping.

We recognize that unknown thousands of small group fellowships exist across America. These smaller groups of people meet in offices, schools, rented buildings, homes, etc., often without a name or any advertising for visitors. We recognize that about 9% of American "Christians" are now doing what is called "non-church." Others refer to these home gatherings that reject traditional church and authority structure as "pajama gatherings."

History validates that efforts to collect persons together for fellowship and worship have little promise of longevity unless there is missionary zeal. Countless congregations were formed between 1880-1925. Only those congregations that emphasized missional outreach survived. Unless the story of Jesus is shared with others it becomes a narcissistic and existential journey of feel good and "God wants me to be blessed and happy."

In looking at ourselves as a congregation we struggle with issues not common to many larger congregations.
1. We are integrated.
2. We have blended marriages and homes.
3. We have persons of different cultures.
4. We have persons who are from different countries.
5. We have persons who speak different languages/dialects.
5. We are in a university city that has a very liberal social context (not in Bible Belt).
6. We are in a culture dominated by intellectualism.
7. We are in a community with lots of very rich and lots of very poor.
8. We are located on a main thoroughfare (30,000+ vehicles per day).
9. Size and complexity of ministry challenge us with high use of buildings/grounds and contextually providing opportunities for fellowship and discipleship for all ages and groupings.

We recognize that most of our parishioners have come from congregations of probably less than 100 persons. The model of what a church and pastor ought to be is judged by the history we have lived.

In smaller churches the pyramid structure is often very strong. In a congregation like Covenant we are challenged to lateralize leadership. Training and empowering leaders is a necessary constant. See Jesus devoting his ministry primarily to 12 men.

One brother observed: "In the church of my childhood the pastor was the dominant authority figure. Everyone waited for the pastor to indicate what needed to be done. No two events happened at once. Those who did not have much to do tended to nit-pick (complain)." The Book of James has lots of advice for nit-pickers.

In such a culture growth is not only inhibited, but denied. Decline and death of a congregation is the fate of thousands of churches in America every year. Size of congregation can grow only with dynamic change in administrative structure.

Our only hope to be relevant and evangelical in our time is to lateralize leadership. I am delighted to share that we have an excellent model for developing and empowering leaders. We have apt trainers. We have committed leaders [Read the Exodus 18 Jethro Principle].

Ultimate success will depend upon each parishioner committing to accept responsibility for a shared task (Ephesians 4:12). Assuming a place of ministry as a "burden" will be too heavy. Better it is to feel "calling"---God's calling. See a place of ministry that is powerful and effective. Become involved in ministry that makes the BODY of Christ symbiotic---everyone working together in unity for common good and common goal. Each of us in our place and being passionate about what we do.

Allow me to encourage you. When the Holy Spirit calls you to Christ and you accept, you are as saved as anyone. When the Holy Spirit baptizes you, you have the same Spirit as any and all others baptized. When the Holy Spirit calls you to be an usher, greeter, worker with children and youth, choir member, janitor, secretary, bookkeeper, et al, you are as important to God and the Church as any other person.

This is why Jesus said it was necessary for him to go away. He was one person/God. By his death, resurrection, and ascension He made possible millions of people all over the world simultaneously sharing the gospel and carrying out mighty works for God.

Hear your calling. Accept it! Step into the future God has for you!

Much love
Pastor Bare
Acts 2 (Power for Task)