In a recent meeting of the association Vision Team, the concept of a "Covenant Church" agreement was proposed and agreed upon by the group. Though the ingredients of the Covenant Church agreement are still being defined, I want to introduce you to the concept.

First . . .

I need to answer the question, "Why a Covenant Church agreement?"

The intent is to provide a more intentional avenue for the association to partner with TCMBA churches and resource vision needs. Our efforts, over the past several months, to hear from churches concerning their vision needs that we might respond in some way toward meeting those needs have been too nebulous, and thus not much headway has been gained. Therefore, the Covenant Church agreement will define what a church will do and what the association will do in a partnership agreement aimed at helping churches move forward in accomplishing its vision.

A covenant agreement between church and association will have expectations on both sides of the agreement. However, the expectations are all aimed at helping the church. The benefit to the association comes through helping a church accomplish its vision. The vision of the association, to ‘Develop Communities of Missionaries,' is accomplished by resourcing church vision. We believe when churches fulfill a Great Commission vision they will become ‘Communities of Missionaries.' Therefore, the benefit to the association in a Covenant Church agreement is a church fulfilling its vision.

Be anticipating more details about this agreement between churches and the association. The focus of this year's Annual Meeting, October 13, will be directed towards this Covenant Church agreement.