Mission
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
The eternal goal of the church, like everything else in all creation, is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. In this life, Christians are to apply love for God and neighbor in many and varied ways for the sake of Christ. But in considering the earthly mission of the church the focus is more specific. As one theologian put it, “If everything is mission, then nothing is mission.” Jesus’ final words to the apostles tell us that the mission of the church is to make disciples from among all the nations of the earth. The making of disciples of Jesus is to be accomplished chiefly by initiation into the church through baptism and the comprehensive instruction of the Word of God. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21).
Vision
“To welcome and worship in the Name of Christ“
Psalm 67 opens with a plea for God to bless his people:
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us…
Immediately following is the specific purpose to be found in that blessed state:
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The great goal of the temple had always been that the nations would enter in and worship the Lord. That vision remains essentially unchanged as Jesus has commissioned his church to make disciples from among all the nations. The vision of Covenant Presbyterian Church is summed up in the words “Welcome” and “Worship” because that is what a people blessed by God do. We will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ with the hope of welcoming our neighbors into the worship of the Lord God.
Values
Biblical Fidelity & Expository Preaching
An unyielding commitment to the inspiration, inerrancy, authority, sufficiency, and efficacy of Scripture for worship, faith and practice, and an unbending dedication to expository preaching that by the Holy Spirit informs the mind, transforms the heart, and stirs the affections (Isa. 55:10-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Titus 1:9; 2 Pet. 1:21; Rom. 10:17; Acts 2:14-36, 42; 20:27; Rom. 10:14-15; Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; see also: WCF I; WLC Q. 3-6; 35; 155-160).
Gospel Driven & Christ Exalting Ministry
A sincere passion to proclaim the gospel of grace in all we do, always with the aim of exalting Christ in the hearts, minds, and affections of God’s people (1 Cor. 1:23; 2:2; 15:3-4; Eph. 3:8; John 21:15-19; Phil. 1:21; 3:8; see also: WCF VII; VIII; WLC Q. 32; 36; 42-56).
Earnest Prayer & Godly Leadership
A fervent resolve to practice personal and corporate prayer, which undergirds all that we do and is the foundation for godly leadership in the home and in the church (Matt. 6:5-13; 1 Thess. 5:17; Acts 2:42; Eph. 1:15-23; Acts 12:5; Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; see also: WCF XIV; XVI; XXI; XXVI; WLC Q. 178-196).
Confessional Integrity & Presbyterian Polity
A resolute and joyful adherence to the Westminster Standards coupled with a strong commitment to biblical Presbyterianism (Jude 3; Heb. 10:23; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 15:1-21; 2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 2:1; see also: WCF XXXI).
Reformed Worship & Vibrant Community
A joyful commitment to, and humble confidence in, the ordinary means of grace and the elements given to us in Scripture for Lord’s Day worship, in concert with welcoming, nurturing, and loving Christian fellowship (Ex. 20:1-11; Deut. 4:2; Ps. 100; Acts 2:42-47; 20:7; Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 11:17-34; 12:12-31; John 13:34; see also: WCF XXI; WLC Q. 153-196).
Intentional Evangelism & Personal Discipleship
A purposeful commitment to bold evangelism, coupled with a dedication to serious, deliberate, faith-maturing discipleship (Luke 9:1-6; Acts 7:1-60; 8:26-40; 2 Tim. 2:2; 4:5; Matt. 28:19; Luke 9:23-24; Col. 1:28-29; see also: WCF III; VIII; X; XII; XIV; XV; XVI; XIX; XXVI; WLC Q.30; 67; 72-76; 91; 97-149).
Missional Clarity & Church Multiplication
A fervent and undistracted commitment to make disciples of all nations through the preaching of the gospel and the planting and strengthening of biblical churches (Matt. 28:16-20; Acts 14:7, 21-23; 15:35; Rom. 10:14-17; Titus 1:5-9; see also: WCF XXV; XXXIII).
Cross-Generational & Cross-Cultural Engagement
A deep commitment to welcoming and engaging all generations from varied cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds that reflects the heavenly, eternal worship of the church (Deut. 7:9; Ps. 45:17; 71:17-18; 78:1-8; 89:1; 145:4; Gen. 12:3; Ps. 67; Rev. 7:9-10; 22:1-5; see also: WCF VII; XXV; XXVI).