Covenant Commitment
The Jesus Connection Covenant will be used with all pastors who want to work with our process, beginning with the January, 2004, Pastor's Seminar. The purpose of the covenant is to be more specific about what it means for us to join together in transforming churches. In this way we all know what we can expect from one another. But covenant goes deeper than that. It is a symbol of a specific commitment we have made to someone else. Symbols have power. They remind us of the integrity that nurtures and guides the commitments we make. They also offer a tangible way for us to express gratitude for the gift of sharing life with others who journey with us.
Many pastors have already made an informal covenant with us in working the TJC process, we invite them to "formalize" this relationship. It is not a requirement, but an invitation. In addition, we would welcome their participation in the Covenant Pastors seminar schedule. We believe pastors will find this a very helpful gathering, and we know that each can lend important encouragement and support to the new pastors who want to work the TJC process in their congregations.
Pastors are asked to pray over this covenant, as we have done. It emerged from the Silent Visioning Retreat our Advisory Council held this past summer at Conception Abbey in Missouri, and has been reworked and refined to its present form since then. Pastors are asked to sign the covenant and return one to the TJC Office.
A copy of the covenant follows:
The Jesus Connection Covenant
The TJC Mission Statement: "To lead mainline churches through a process of Spiritual and Structural Transformation."
Scriptural Foundations:
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Covenant:
As a participant in The Jesus Connection process, we invite you to covenant with us in following ways:
- Practice the classical spiritual disciplines that have proven to be a means of deepening the life of faith and call to ministry.
- Engage in careful study of the three core books of The Jesus Connection Process and other materials offered by TJC
- Attend the Covenant Pastors Seminar
- Participate in a Silent Prayer Retreat
- Initiate sharing information about The Jesus Connection with congregational leaders and other members to expose them to the process.
- Maintain regular communication with a mentor and TJC teleconferences for mutual support, encouragement, and clarification.
As part of our commitment to all covenant pastors, The Jesus Connection will:
Host seminars and retreats to teach our process
Assign a mentor to each pastor
Initiate bi-monthly teleconference meetings for support and information
Publish "Reflections on Transformation" on transformation issues
Remain a ministry of volunteers, to keep costs and expenses to a minimum
Pray for you and your church
We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us in this covenant, and request that you sign your name below to indicate your desire to do so.
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