It is clear through Scripture that the Lord builds His Church. He does that individually when, as with Lydia in Acts 16, He opens one’s heart to the Gospel. He does it corporately when He brings a group of households into fellowship together. Such gatherings often organize as local churches. He even builds His Church through broader relationships, as elders agree to minister to one another and to hold each other accountable. Such relationships become denominations, and this spirit of brotherhood is what we seek to foster and encourage in the Covenant Presbyterian Church.
As God continues to build this denomination, He is doing so through two basic means: unorganized groups of households and established churches seeking the blessings of biblical unity. To that end, we want to help you work through the process, should God call you to join the Covenant Presbyterian Church.
If you are an unorganized group of households:
- Consider if you have sufficient numbers to make a church start work. We recommend a minimum of five households, committed to one another and in agreement with the majority of the Westminster Standards and the distinctives of the CPC. You must also have at least one man who has the character qualities required for the eldership, one who has the time to prepare for the elder examination.
- If possible, send a delegation to one of our existing churches to learn more about our denomination first hand.
- Fill out the Candidate Church Application and send it to the Chair of the Missions Committee.
- You will be assigned a Sponsoring Church, which will assist your group organize as a mission congregation. The Sponsoring Church will also organize elder visits for the administration of the Sacraments, pulpit supply, and officer training.
- If you have a man desiring to undertake the elder exam, you will need to send an Elder Nomination Form and a written examination to the Chair of the Credentials Committee at least three months before a stated presbytery meeting. The Elder Nomination Form should be reviewed and submitted by the Sponsoring Church.
- Once two men have successfully completed the elder exam, a church will be received as a particular church into our denomination. Churches with only one elder will continue as a Mission Church until such time as they have at least two elders.
If you are an existing church outside of the CPC:
- If possible, send a delegation to one of our existing churches to learn more about our denomination first hand.
- Fill out the Candidate Church Application and send it to the Chair of the Missions Committee.
- You will be acknowledged as a Candidate Church at the next stated Presbytery meeting. Your elders will continue to function under their existing ordinations.
- Elders seeking to be received into the Covenant Presbyterian Church will need to send an Elder Nomination Form and a written examination to the Chair of the Credentials Committee at least three months before a stated presbytery meeting.
- Once two men have successfully completed the elder exam, a church will be received as a particular church into our denomination. Churches with only one elder will continue as a Mission Church until such time as they have at least two elder.
It is our hope that these steps will help you in your desire to join with us! Our goal is to grow as a denomination only for the glory of the Lord. If you share this desire, we look forward to serving you!
