Our Vision
for
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Purpose Statement:
Making "disciple-making" Disciples Who Will Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever.
Mission Statement:
The mission of Covenant Presbyterian Church is to build the Kingdom of God by glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. As believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we seek as a body to fulfill this mission by focusing on three priorities:
1. By exalting and worshipping our sovereign and holy Triune God in a manner that is worthy and honoring to Him and in a manner that is ordained according to His holy Word;
2. By equipping and maturing the saints of the living God through the instruction of God's holy, infallible, and inerrant Word, according to the Reformed faith taught in the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms and through the faithful administration of the Sacraments;
3. And by evangelizing and extending the gospel of grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone by means of local outreach into Abilene, Texas, and through national and international missions.
What are we trying to accomplish at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Abilene, Texas?
To fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-17; Lk. 24:47; Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8) by making committed, mature disciples (Matt. 16:24-26) of Abilene, Texas (and all peoples/nations) who are growing in their gospel-union with Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:1-7; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Col. 3:1-4) to observe all His teachings (Matt. 22:37-40; 28:18, 20; John 15:12, 17; 1 Jn. 3:23; 4:21) with the assurance of His permanent presence through the gift and sealing of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:20; 11:28-30; Eph. 1:3, 13-14; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:3-9).
How do we fulfill this Great Commission?
By joining with our Triune God who has sent the Son of Man to "seek and save that which was lost" (Lk. 19:10) who will become true worshippers who will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Our ultimate motive in attempting to fulfill this Great Commission is to make God's name great among the nations (Ps. 97:1; 67:3-4). We seek to bring the nations into glowing enjoyment in the glory of God; to rejoice in the supremacy of God in all things. John Stott declares:
The highest of missionary motives is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God. . . .), but rather, zeal -- burning and passionate zeal -- for the glory of Jesus Christ. . . . Only one imperialism is Christian. . . and that is concern for His Imperial Majesty Jesus Christ, and for the glory of his empire (Romans, 53).
As John Piper says, our "passion is to see people, churches . . . become God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-powered, Bible-saturated, missions-mobilizing, [and] soul-winning. . . . The supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ is the central, driving, all-unifying commitment" of our lives (Let the Nations Be Glad, 2nd. ed., 9).
We therefore seek the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ by:
Evangelizing all peoples with the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16), baptizing them in the Trinity, and discipling them "to observe all that I have commanded you" with the double promise that "all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me," and "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:18-20).
Church Scattered (Quantity) -- Evangelism of the Lost
The Scattering of the Church -- Acts 8:4-17; 11:19-24; 13:1-3; 18:11
Adding to their Numbers -- Acts 2:41-42; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31
Evangelism Mandated by our Lord -- Matt. 28:18-20; Mk 16:15; Lk. 24:44-49; Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8
[Numerical growth is not the primary objective of a church. Instead, church growth is the result of an effective, healthy church. When a local congregation is on mission for God and is pursuing spiritual objectives, that congregation will experience multi-dimensional growth -- growth in quality and quantity (D. G. McCourty and Bill May, 1991). -- Notice: Where the Word is preached, numerical growth will follow (Acts 6:7; 20:32).]
Church Gathered (Quality) -- Maturity of the Body of Christ
What are we doing?
Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
How is it done?
Use of the Means of Grace (Word and Sacraments) - Eph. 4 - for the building of the Body of Christ to Maturity who will use their spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12) to fulfill the "one anothers" of the gospel.
Paul's Prayer for Maturity (Col. 1:9-12)
