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WHEN CHURCHES JOIN

Appendix A: The Nature and Use of Covenants

'Covenanting is a concept of visible church unity ...., it calls the churches to unite in 'sacred things' (communio in sacris) - faith, baptism, eucharist, ministry and mission - without organisational unity. ...[I]n a solemn act the churches ask God through the Holy Spirit to create out of our separated life a new ecclesial community committed to common mission in the world.' (Paul Crow in NCCA) .... There is a Biblical basis to covenanting because covenanting permeates the story of the people of God in the Judeo-Christian tradition. God covenants with people, and people make covenants with each other, under God's oversight. The idea of a covenant implies a significant commitment. It is a reliable and lasting relationship, which includes both promises and obligations. ... Biblically, the relationship is usually sealed with a ritual action. ... Jesus embodies a 'new covenant', seals it through his life, death and resurrection, and signifies it in his Last Supper. ...

A Biblical theology of covenant enables an ecclesiology of covenanting. We make a covenant with one another in grateful response to God's initiative in making covenant with us. ... The covenant requires a constant, solid commitment. Within the one faith community - the Body of Christ - there is a mutual responsibility and solidarity with one another for the fulfilment of this commitment. (NCCA)