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Covenant of Unity
THIS PAGE WAS PRINTED FROM THE TOUCH 2000 HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN TONBRIDGE WEBSITE
PLEASE VISIT http://history.touch2000.org.uk

In October 2003, the leaders of the churches and Christian organisations of Tonbridge signed a covenant of unity, promising that they would work together.

At a service on 23 January 2005 at Tonbridge Baptist Church, the covenant was re-signed in front of a congregation of over 500.

The words of the covenant of unity are presented below:

We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who has acted out of love for the people He Himself made, to bring them back from selfishness and sin, to His Kingdom of light and love.  Jesus has called His people to work together for this Kingdom and to live out the values of the Gospel in our actions and through our words.

As leaders in the community of Christians in Tonbridge we have been entrusted as shepherds under the Great Shepherd Jesus Christ to care for one another and to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We therefore joyfully covenant together by God's grace we shall:

  • Love God with all our heart, and serve the Church in love.
  • Celebrate and promote a Trinitarian Gospel.
  • Work together in mission whenever possible, not doing on our own what could be done together.
  • Pray for and encourage each other and our congregations on a regular basis.
  • Encourage our congregations to work together in service, witness and the sharing of resources wherever appropriate.
  • Honour and respect one another and each other's ministries, always taking care to speak well of one another.
  • Meet with one another for mutual support, prayer and co-ordinated planning.
  • Keep the peace within the body of Christ by carefully receiving members who have informed their previous church leaders as to their leaving, seeking to resolve any conflict to the best of their ability.
  • Follow the example of Christ by giving ourselves wholeheartedly for the growth of His Church and Kingdom.
  • Prepare the people of God for Christ's return by sharing the Good News of Jesus through word and service, working together wherever possible to impact the whole community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"The Kingdom work in Tonbridge is bigger than any of us but needs every one of us, for where there is unity, God's blessing on all His people is great."

Main content and research © 2000 L. M. Simms and TOUCH 2000 / Tonbridge United Churches
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