Arbor Covenant Church is a member congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church and its Central Conference.
As an Evangelical Covenant Church we are:
AN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
We confess Jesus Christ and the faith of the apostles as recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
A CATHOLIC CHURCH
We belong to the universal community of believers that began with Jesus’ first followers and extends to all corners of the globe today until the return of Christ.
A REFORMATION CHURCH
We stand in the mainstream of a church renewal movement of the sixteenth century called the Protestant Reformation. Especially important is the belief that we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, not by anything Photo Credit: Eliza Bradshaw that we do.
AN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
We stand in the shadow of a series of Pietist and greater awakenings, emphasizing a strong insistence and passion for mission.
As an Evangelical Covenant Church, we affirm these central beliefs:
WE AFFIRM THE CENTRALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD
We believe the Bible is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. The dynamic, transforming power of the word of God directs the church and the life of each Christian.
WE AFFIRM THE NECESSITY OF NEW BIRTH
New birth in Christ means committing ourselves to him and receiving forgiveness, acceptance, and eternal life. It also means being alive in Christ, and this life has the qualities of justice and righteousness, joy and peace.
WE AFFIRM A COMMITMENT TO THE WHOLE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
The early Covenanters were known as “Mission Friends” – people of shared faith who came together to carry God’s mission out both far and near. The whole mission of the church is the dual acting of word and deed, including deep commitment to compassion, mercy, and justice.
WE AFFIRM THE CHURCH AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS
Membership in the Covenant Church is by confession of personal faith in Jesus Christ and is open to all believers. We observe baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments commanded by Jesus. We practice both infant and believer baptism. We believe in the shared ministry of the church (priesthood of all believers).
WE AFFIRM A CONSCIOUS DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Covenant church affirms the Trinitarian understanding of one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe it is the Holy Spirit who instills in our heart a desire to turn to Christ and live for the mission and work of God in our time. It is the Holy Spirit who enables our obedience to God, conforms us to the image of Christ, and continues the work of the kingdom of God.
WE AFFIRM THE REALITY OF FREEDOM IN CHRIST
The Apostle Paul wrote, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1, TNIV). This freedom is a gift of God in Christ, and it manifests itself in a right relationship with God and others. It is not a private gift to be used selfishly, but is given to serve the community and the world.