MODEL RELATIONAL COMMITMENTS
Introduction
The following Commitments and Church Covenant are designed to help the people who attend our church relate to one another in a way that honors God. These Commitments cover important relational issues, such as peacemaking and reconciliation, marriage and divorce, protecting children from abuse, counseling, confidentiality, and mutual accountability.
PCA MEMBERSHP COMMITMENTS
The following are taken from the Presbyterian Church in America's Book of Church Order in section 57-5:- Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God…
- Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God…
- Do you now resolve and promise… that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?
- Do you promise to support the Church …
- Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Church…
by the People of [Our Church Name]
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9).
Our church is committed to building a "culture of peace" that reflects God's peace and the power of the gospel of Christ in our lives. As we stand in the light of the cross, we realize that bitterness, unforgiveness and broken relationships are not appropriate for the people whom God has reconciled to himself through the sacrifice of his only Son (John 13:34-35; Eph. 4:29-32; Col. 3:12-14).
COMMITMENT TO CHURCH DISCIPLINE
by the People of [Our Church Name]
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24).
Like all of our Relational Commitments, the principles and practices described below apply to all the people who attend our church (both members and attenders).
COMMITMENT TO COUNSEL for MARRIAGES and FAMILIES
by the People of [Our Church Name]
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another (Rom. 15:14).
All Christians struggle with sin and the effect it has on our lives and our relationships. Whenever a Christian is unable to overcome sinful attitudes or behaviors through personal efforts, God calls him to seek assistance from other believers, and especially from church leaders, who have the responsibility of providing pastoral counseling and oversight (see Rom. 15:14; Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Heb. 13:17; James 5:16).
COMMITMENT to CONFESSIONAL FAITH and the CHURCH
by the People of [Our Church Name]
Our Commitments to One Another in the Sight of God
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church ….
| TOPIC | SUMMARY FROM RW360.ORG | LINK WITH MORE INFORMATION |
| Biblical Peacemaking | When disappointments, offenses, or unmet expectations pile up, our relationships with other people can be damaged or even destroyed. Worse yet, the bitterness and unforgiveness triggered by prolonged conflict grieves the Lord and injures our relationship with him (Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 4:30-31). God's solution to these problems is biblical peacemaking. | https://rw360.org/biblical-peacemaking/ |
| The Four Gs |
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https://rw360.org/the-four-gs/ |
| Slippery Slope of Conflict | Scripture shows how there are 3 clear peacefaking responses, 3 clear peacebreaking responses, and 6 clear peacemaking responses to conflict. The key to changing the way we deal with conflict is the gospel—the good news that God made peace with us and between us by sending his Son to die for our sins and give us new life through his resurrection (Col. 1:19-20; Eph. 2:14-16). When we believe in Jesus, we receive forgiveness and are united with Christ and one another (Acts 10:43; Phil. 2:1-2). God then begins to transform us into the likeness of his Son, enabling us to break free from sinful escaping and attacking habits and mature into peacemakers who reflect the glory of God's reconciling love in the midst of conflict (2 Cor. 3:17-18; Col. 3:12-15). | https://rw360.org/slippery-slope/ |
| Getting to the Heart |
Repent before God. When we repent and confess our sins and idols, believing in our forgiveness through Christ, we also confess our faith in Christ.
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https://rw360.org/getting-to-the-heart-of-conflict/ |
| Seven As of Confession |
One way to do this is to use the Seven A's of of a Biblical Confession.
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https://rw360.org/seven-as-of-a-biblical-confession/ |
| Forgiveness | Biblical forgiveness may be described as a decision to make four promises: "I will not dwell on this incident." "I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you." "I will not talk to others about this incident." "I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship." |
https://rw360.org/biblical-forgiveness/ |
| PAUSE Negotiation |
A biblical approach to negotiation may be summarized in five basic steps: Prepare (pray, get the facts, seek godly counsel, develop options) Affirm relationships (show genuine concern and respect for others) Understand interests (identify others' concerns, desires, needs, limitations, or fears) Search for creative solutions (prayerful brainstorming) Evaluate options objectively and reasonably (evaluate, don't argue) |
https://rw360.org/biblical-negotiation/ |
| Peacemaker's Pledge | Glorify God — Instead of focusing on our own desires or dwelling on what others may do, we will rejoice in the Lord and bring him praise by depending on his forgiveness, wisdom, power, and love, as we seek to faithfully obey his commands and maintain a loving, merciful, and forgiving attitude. Get the Log out of Your Eye — Instead of blaming others for a conflict or resisting correction, we will trust in God's mercy and take responsibility for our own contribution to conflicts… Gently Restore — Instead of pretending that conflict doesn't exist or talking about others behind their backs, we will overlook minor offenses or we will talk personally and graciously with those whose offenses seem too serious to overlook… Go and be reconciled — Instead of accepting premature compromise or allowing relationships to wither, we will actively pursue genuine peace and reconciliation…. |
https://rw360.org/the-peacemakers-pledge/ |
| Peacemaker Book | The principles found in The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict are foundational to the ministry of biblical peacemaking and relational wisdom. This book is in use around the world, having sold over 500,000 copies in seventeen different languages. | |
| Young Peacemaker Book | The Young Peacemaker is a curriculum that parents, teachers and youth workers can use to teach children how to prevent and resolve conflict in a constructive and biblically faithful manner. The curriculum emphasizes principles of confession, forgiveness, communication and character development, and uses realistic stories, practical applications, role plays and stimulating activities. | https://rw360.org/the-young-peacemaker/ |
| Christian Conciliation Clauses and Services |
Sample Clause for Contracts: Any claim or dispute arising from or related to this agreement shall be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Procedure for Christian Conciliation of Christian Conciliation Services, a division of Relational Wisdom 360. See www.ChristianConciliation.Services/Rules. Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court otherwise having jurisdiction. | https://rw360.org/christian-conciliation-service/ |
| Bibliography | Click the link to the right to see a bibliography of peacemaking books for professors, students or other peacemakers who are interested in studying biblical conciliation. | http://BiblicalPeace.com/Bibliography |