WHAT ARE WE COMMITTED TO?
We are committed to • Reaching the unchurched, particularly the emerging generation • Pressing forward in ethnic ministry and diversity • Extending greater measures of compassion and justice to the poor and desperate • Attending to the health of existing congregations • Forming spiritually mature disciples who live out obedience to Christ in the world • Calling forth and equipping women and men for all levels of church leadership • Pursuing expanded strategic global opportunities and partnerships.
An Invitation...
The most important thing we have to offer is an invitation to experience new life in Christ. In the Bible we learn that God gives new life to any person who trusts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A trusting personal relationship with Jesus is all that is needed to be a Christian. We invite you to read "Seeking God?"
WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM?
The Evangelical Covenant Church has its roots in historical Christianity as it emerged in the Protestant Reformation, in the biblical instruction of the Lutheran State Church of Sweden, and in the great spiritual awakenings of the nineteenth century. These three influences have in large measure shaped its development and are to be borne in mind in seeking to understand its distinctive spirit.
The Covenant Church adheres to the affirmation of the Protestant Reformation regarding the Holy Scriptures, the Old and the New Testament, as the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. It has traditionally valued the historic confessions of the Christian church, particularly the Apostles' Creed, while at the same time it has emphasized the sovereignty of the Word over creedal interpretations. It has especially cherished the pietistic restatement of the doctrine of justification by faith as basic to the dual task of evangelism and Christian nurture, the New Testament emphasis upon personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the reality of a fellowship of believers which recognizes but transcends theological differences, and the belief in baptism and the Lord's Supper as divinely ordained sacraments of the church. While the denomination has traditionally practiced the baptism of infants, in conformity with its principle of freedom it has also recognized the practice of believer baptism. The principle of personal freedom, so highly esteemed by the Covenant, is to be distinguished from the individualism that disregards the centrality of the Word of God and the mutual responsibilities and disciplines of the spiritual community.
WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?
On one level, the answer is quite simple. When new members join a Covenant church, they are asked two questions about belief: “Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior and promise to follow him as Lord?” and “Do you accept the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, as the word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct?” They are then asked if they intend to live as faithful followers of Christ and members of the church and denomination.
That’s all. That is enough.
But on another level, of course, the answer is a good deal more complex. While the Covenant Church does not require adherence to any written creed, we take our theology very seriously, and our history as well. We are a Reformation church, a part of the Church universal, and an evangelical church. In that heritage, we share certain central beliefs, which draw us together in faith and fellowship and make possible a freedom among us on more widely ranging issues.
We describe those central beliefs as “affirmations,” and they are outlined in the document available for download below.
Click here to read the 17 page booklet "Covenant Affirmations" or see the preview video to the Covenant Affirmations DVD.
WHAT IS THE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE?
WHO WE ARE
The Pacific Southwest Conference is a mission region of the Evangelical Covenant Church encompassing Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. We seek to support ministries to and with all ages reflecting the diversity of race, culture, and class within our region. We affirm the Covenant's identity, biblical mission, enduring commitments, and core beliefs.
WHY WE EXIST
We exist to discern God's Kingdom building movement and align our resources to support opportunities for planting, adopting, and developing healthy, reproducing congregations.
OUR VISION FOR MISSION
Our vision for mission is to be a mosaic of churches working interdependently to reach the unchurched and equip believers to transform lives and communities.
OUR MISSION PRIORITIES
Church Planting - Initiating and nurturing new church plants in partnership with existing churches.
Church Development - Resourcing local churches in visioning, staffing, structuring for mission, and equipping leaders.
Church Outreach - Resourcing local churches in evangelism and community
transformation ministries.
COVENANT LINKS
Evangelical Covenant Church Site
The Pacific Southwest Conference Site
Christian Formation
Bringing My World To Christ
Women Ministries
Compassion, Mery and Justice
Covenant Trust: Retirement and Estate Planning
If you are looking for a church that is serious about living out a life with Christ in community, a life that is informed by God's Word and empowered by His Spirit, a life that fleshes out God's love in service and cooperation and freedom, then you just might want to check out...
Kingsburg Covenant Church.
If you are interested in any of these opportunites, just drop us an email, call the church office at 897-3031,
or fill out a Communication Card at a Sunday Morning Celebration Service.
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