First let me attempt to define “covenant community.” It is a body of believers who are committed first to Christ and second to one another. That’s a pretty simple definition, and the crux of the whole deal is commitment; something we’ll look at later. (You get a beautiful picture of this in Acts 2:37-47).
Bur for now I want to look at communication, which I believe is number one on the list of major components for developing a covenant community.
We must communicate, for there can be no covenant without it. God obviously thinks so, that’s why He has given us His Word, which perfectly describes our covenant with Him. One of the first things I must do when I sense God calling me into covenant with someone, is to begin communicating with that person. I must begin sharing my heart, and I must hear their heart. As a two-way street of communication takes place I can begin taking further steps within this powerful covenant relationship.
This applies directly to us, as we network with graduates and ministers throughout our region. Our relationship and connection can only be as strong, and go as far, as communication allows.
Communication is vital because without it I will be unable to effectively fulfill my covenant responsibilities. What are those responsibilities? That’s a good question. Some examples that apply to us, and that are very scriptural, are to pray and to give (in that order), and in order to effectively pray or give I need some information, that’s what communication provides…info.
We are committed to providing info, which will assist those God has connected us with (those who are part of our “covenant community”) to pray and to give, and we are committed to receiving info that will help us to do the same.
Coming up…A Covenant Community: Component #2