The M.I.C. Assembly Membership Covenant

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2 The M.I.C. Assembly Membership Covenant [Every church needs to grow warmer through fellowship.] Membership: We incorporate God's family into our fellowship God wants me to be a member of His family God's people to live with (membership) Purpose: Fellowship Task: Encourage Acts 2:42-47: "And they continued... fellowship... And all that believed were together... and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart" Objective: Membership Target: Congregation Life Component: My Relationship Basic Human Need: People to Live With The Church Provides: A Family for Living Emotional Benefit: Support Fivefold: Teaching Fellowship helps you face life's problems by providing the support and encouragement of other Christians. You Were Formed For God's Family ["Baptizing them in the name": Your purpose is to identify with His church through fellowship.] "Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord [first they committed to Christ], and unto us by the will of God [then it was by the will of God to commit to Christ's Body, the church]." (2nd Corinthians 8:4-5). Having openly confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord (including all that He stands for) and my personal Saviour, believing and receiving into my heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and having been baptized by the Spirit unto His death, into His body, and being in agreement with the universal Spiritual body of Christ and God's local church government--called M.I.C. Assembly, with their statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by God's Spirit to unite with the M.I.C. Assembly church family of God. In doing so, having counted the cost of discipleship, I commit myself to God and to the other members of God's local church to do the following: 1. I will commit to being a disciple of Christ of my church... by continuing in Christ's Word--the Apostles Doctrine... by loving other disciples of Christ as Christ loved them

3 ... by bearing much fruit that remains which in turn glorifies the Father Then Jesus turned to... who had claimed to believe in Him. 'If you stick with and continue in this, living out what I tell you, YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES FOR SURE. Then you will know and experience for yourselves the Truth, and the Truth will free you. (John 8:31-32, RAPV). "Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS. And this they did, not as we hoped, but FIRST GAVE THEIR OWN SELVES TO THE LORD, and [SECOND] UNTO US [the CHURCH MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP] BY THE WILL OF GOD." (2nd Corinthians 8:4-5). Let Me give you a NEW command: Love one another [other Christians/disciples]. In the SAME WAY I LOVED YOU, you love one another. This [loving other Christians] is how EVERYONE [NON- BELIEVERS, the world] will recognize and know that you are My disciples--when they see the love you have for each other [other Christians/disciple]. (John 13:34-35, The Message Remix). "This is how My Father [or OUR Father is] glorified, [1] that all of you bear much fruit; so shall all of you be My disciples. Remember the Word that I said unto you, The servant [disciple] is not greater than his lord [Jesus]. If they have persecuted Me, [2] they will also persecute you [you disciples]; if they have kept My saying [teaching, doctrine], [3] they will keep yours [saying, teaching, doctrine] also." (John 15:8 & 20, NKJV). A Common Myth: All God expects of us is faithfulness This statement is only half true. God expects both faithfulness and fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is a major theme of the New Testament/Covenant. Consider the following: 1. We are called by Christ to bear fruit. "Ye [all of you] have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye [all of you] should go and bring forth FRUIT, and that your fruit should remain." (John 15:16). God wants to see lasting fruit from our ministry. 2. Being fruitful is the way we glorify God. "Herein is [This is how] My Father [is] glorified, that ye [all of you] bear much fruit; so shall ye [all of you] be My disciples." (John 15:8). An unfruitful ministry does not bring glory to God, but a fruitful ministry is

4 the proof that we are Christ's disciples. 3. Being fruitful pleases God. "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all [spiritual] wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto ALL PLEASING, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10). Being filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom & spiritual understanding and walking out what you know correctly is pleasing fruit towards God. 4. Jesus reserved His severest judgment for the unfruitful tree. He cursed it because it didn t bear fruit. "And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and FOUND NOTHING thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever [Gk: 'for the eon/age']. And presently the fig tree withered away." (Matthew 21:19). Jesus did not do this to show off but to make a point: He expects fruitfulness! 5. The nation of Israel lost its privilege because of unfruitfulness. "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [literal, physical Israel], and given to a nation [spiritual new Israel (Gal. 6:16)] bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matthew 21:43). The same principle can be applied to individual churches. I have seen God remove His hand of blessing from churches -- churches that had been greatly blessed in the past -- because they became self-satisfied and self-absorbed and stopped bearing fruit. "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee." (Romans 11:17-21). 6. When we give generously (money or anything) to forward God's Kingdom is fruitfulness that pleases God. "Now ye [all of you] Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, NO CHURCH [not Ephesus, not Rome, not Corinth, not Thessalonia, not Galatia, not Thyatira, not Philadelphia, not Colosse, not Antioch, not Jerusalem, not Macedonia, not Greece, not Smyrna, not Pergamos, not Sardis, not Laodicea. not Samaria, not Damascus, not Lydda, not Judea, not

5 Athens, or any other church] communicated [Gk: 'distributed, shared'] with me as concerning GIVING and RECEIVING, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent [financial aid] ONCE and AGAIN unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire FRUIT [their financial giving was FRUIT] that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [offerings and other items] which were sent from you, [their MONEY was not only FRUIT, it was...] AN ODOR OF A SWEET SMELL, A SACRIFICE ACCEPTABLE, WELLPLEASING TO GOD. But my God shall supply all your need according to His RICHES [Gk: 'Wealth (as fullness), i.e. (literally) MONEY, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable bestowment:--riches'] in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:15-19). Their giving begets the fruit of generosity and kindness which pleased God. 7. The more you abide in Christ as He transforms you into His character produces fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23). What is fruitfulness? The word fruit, or a variation of it, is used fifty-five times in the New Testament and refers to a variety of results. Each one of the following is considered by God to be fruit: Repentance: "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good FRUIT [doesn't repent, turn to God] is hewn [chopped] down, and cast into the fire [God's consuming lake of fire presence]." (Matthew 3:8 & 10). "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye [ALL OF YOU] REPENT [turn to God], ye [ALL OF YOU] shall all likewise perish [Gk: 'to destroy fully (reflexive to perish, or lose), literal or figurative: destroy, die, lose, mar, perish']. He spake also this parable [Gk: '(symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a SPIRITUAL TRUTH)']; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought FRUIT thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking FRUIT on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it [make useless] the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear FRUIT [REPENT], well [good[: and if not [if they don't repent], then after that thou shalt cut it down." (Luke 13:5-9). Practicing the truth: "Ye [all of you] shall know them [false ministers] by their FRUITS. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil FRUIT [LIES]. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not

6 forth good fruit [TRUTH] is hewn down, and cast into the fire [God's consuming fiery-lake presence]. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:16-21). "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord ['I (God) have no greater joy than to hear that my (God's) children WALK IN TRUTH.' (3 John 1:4)] unto all pleasing, being FRUITFUL in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge [TRUTH] of God." (Colossians 1:10). Answered prayer: "If ye abide in Me, and My Words [TRUTH] abide in you, ye shall ask [PRAY] what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is [this is how] My Father glorified, that ye bear MUCH FRUIT; so shall ye be My disciples." (John 15:7-8). "Elijah was a man subject to like passions [suffering patiently] as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he PRAYED again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her FRUIT." (James 5:17-18). An offering of money given by believers [we mentioned this already]: "For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain CONTRIBUTION [Gk: 'partnership, i.e. (literal) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary {FINANCIAL, fiscal, economic}) benefaction (SUPPORT, patronage, investment, backing, sponsorship, AID):--(to) communicate, communication, communion, distribution, contribution, fellowship'] for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things [spiritual wealth], their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things [material wealth]. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this FRUIT." (Romans 15:26-29). Christ-like character, and leading unbelievers to Christ: "Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some FRUIT AMONG YOU also, even as AMONG OTHER GENTILES [non-jewish believers]." (Romans 1:13). The fruit of a believer is another believer. Consider the commission the Jesus gave to the church, I believe that the definition of fruitfulness for a local church must include growth by conversion of unbelievers. Paul referred to the first converts in Achaia as the... "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house [where Corinthians met for church] of Stephanas, that it is the FIRSTFRUITS of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)." (1st Corinthians 16:15).

7 The Word of God clearly identifies numerical growth of the church as fruit. Many of the kingdom parables (the Gospel) of Jesus emphasize the unavoidable truth that God expects His church to grow. In addition, Paul connected fruit bearing with church growth. "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth [bringeth forth fruit] also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth." (Colossians 1:5-6). God want our church to faithful and fruitful. One without the other is only half of the equation. Numerical results are no justification for being unfaithful to the Message, but neither can we use faithfulness as an excuse for being ineffective! Churches that have few or no conversions often attempt to justify their ineffectiveness with the statement, "God has not called us to be successful. He has just called us to be faithful." I strongly disagree because the Word of God clearly teaches the God expects both. The sticking point is how you define the terms successful and faithful. I define being successful as fulfilling God's will as an individual and as a church. Jesus has given the church a job to do. We will either succeed or fail at it. Using this definition, every church should want to be successful! What is the alternative? The opposite of success is not faithfulness, but failure. Any church not obeying Christ's commission is failing its purpose, no matter what else it does. Therefore they are disobedient. What is faithfulness? Usually we define it in terms of beliefs. We think that by holding to orthodox beliefs we are fulfilling Christ's command to be faithful. We call ourselves "defenders of the faith." But Jesus meant far more than adherence to beliefs when He used the term. He defined faithfulness in terms of behavior -- a willingness to take risks (that require faith) in order to be faithful. The clearest example of this is the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: The two men who doubled the talents the Master gave them were called "good and faithful servants." In other words, they proved their faithfulness by taking risks that produced fruit. They were successful at the task that they had been assigned, and they were rewarded for it by the Master. The passive, fearful servant who did nothing with the talent he was given produced no results for the Master because he would not take the risk. He was called "wicked and slothful" in contrast to the two men called "faithful" for producing results. The point of the story is clear: God expects to see results. Our faithfulness is demonstrated by our fruit. Faithfulness is accomplishing as much as possible with the resources and talents God has given you. Is any so foolish as to think Jesus tells all seven churches to " hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (all the other plural churches), so that they can compare themselves among themselves and see which one Jesus thinks is the holiest of them all? That is nonsense! "For WE DARE NOT make ourselves OF THE NUMBER, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by [next to] themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, ARE NOT WISE." (2nd Corinthians 10:12).

8 ALL seven churches individually, have ALL the problems and ALL the strengths of all the churches combined. It is ONE prophecy, of ONE church, in ONE hand of Jesus, which combines the characteristics of seven churches in Asia that shared all of the good qualities and all of the shortcomings. Some think that Smyrna and Philadelphia did not have any shortcomings. They did. The Scriptures prove it. That's why comparing churches is an illegitimate way to measure success. Success is not being larger than some other church; it is bearing as much fruit as possible given your gifts, opportunities, and potential. Christ doesn't expect us to do more than we can, but He does expect us to produce all that we can by His Spirit within us. That's a lot more than most of us think is possible. "Verily, verily [Truthfully, truthfully], I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and GREATER WORKS than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14). "Now unto Him [GOD] that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think [imagine, dream], according to the power [holy SPIRIT] that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all generations, of the age of the ages. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21). That's a lot more than most of us think is possible. "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. " (Mark 9:23). We expect too little from God, and we attempt too little for Him. If you're not taking risks in your ministry, then it is not required that you have faith. And if you ministry doesn't require any faith, then you are being unfaithful. How do you define faithfulness? Are you being faithful to God's Word if you insist on communicating it in an outdate style? Even Jesus talked naturally. First, let s be clear that Jesus did not go around speaking as if He were a performer on a Shakespearean Stage. Jesus did NOT speak in archaic King James English! Jesus never said: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not" (John 21:18, King James Version). No, that is NOT what Jesus said in modern English. That is what He would have said had He been speaking archaic King James English to the residents of England back But to our ears this archaic English now sounds strange and affected. We no longer speak in archaic King James English. If Jesus were to speak to us today in the English of the 21st century it would sound more like this: "The truth is when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will direct you and take you

9 where you don t want to go" (John 21:18, The Living Bible). Jesus spoke the language of the people, the language of the day. He was natural, He was colloquial, He was precise, He was articulate, He was emotional, He was sincere. Jesus spoke EXACTLY AND PRECISELY as He was inside, because it is a Scriptural truth that, " out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). Remember "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17). So if they can't understand what you are saying from the abundance of your heart because of and outdate style, how can they hear and receive the correct faith for Salvation? Thee, thou, and thy, sounds pretty weird to the unchurched. Are you being faithful if you insist on doing ministry in a way that's comfortable to you, even though it doesn't produce any fruit? Get out of the boat and walk on the water! Are you being faithful to Christ if you value man-made traditions more than reaching people for Him? I contend that when a church continues to use methods that no longer work, it is being unfaithful to Christ! Sadly, there are MANY churches today who are completely orthodox in their beliefs but are still unfaithful to Christ because they refuse to change programs, methods, styles of worship, buildings, or even locations in order to reach a lost world for Christ. Vance Havner used to say, "A church can be straight as a gun barrel doctrinally and just as empty spiritually." We must be willing to say, with unreserved commitment to our Lord and Saviour, "We'll do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ, as long as it is biblically acceptable." 2. I will protect the unity of my church... by putting others ahead of myself... by refusing to gossip... by following the examples of the leaders "So let's agree to use all our energy in GETTING ALONG with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault." (Romans 14:19, The Message Remix). "Now that you're lives have been cleaned up by following the Truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it." (1st Peter 1:22, RAPV). "Watch the way you talk. Let NOTHING FOUL OR DIRTY COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. Say ONLY what helps and lifts up others, each word a gift. according to their needs." (Ephesians 4:29, RAPV). "Obey the example of your leaders who follow Christ's standard. Listen to their counsel. They are to guard the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. So they have to answer to Him at the judgment seat of Christ. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not complaining about it. Why would you want to make things harder for them and that is unprofitable for you?" (Hebrews 13:17, RAPV).

10 3. I will share the responsibility of my church... by praying for its growth... by inviting the community into our gatherings... by warmly welcoming those who are visiting as guests "... unto the church... which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers." (1st Thessalonians 1:1-2, KJV). "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house [Gk: 'FAMILY'] may be filled." (Luke 14:23, KJV). "For this reason receive all of you each one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, RAPV). "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to me I will in no way cast out." (John 6:37, RAPV). 4. I will serve the ministry of my church... by discovering my gifts and talents... by being equipped to serve under God's leaders and Christ's supervision... by developing a servant's heart "For this reason be all of you not unwise [Gk: 'Properly mindless, i.e. stupid, (implication) ignorant, (specifically) egotistic, (practically) rash, or (morally) unbelieving:--fool, foolish, unwise'], but understanding [Gk: 'To put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend; implication to act piously (spiritually, morally):--consider, understand, be wise'] what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17, RAPV). "Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it." (1st Peter 4:10, The Message Remix). "And He [Jesus] gave [ONLY to] some [NOT ALL '"All are not Apostles; all are not Prophets; all are not Teachers; all are not Powers; all have not Gifts of Cures; all do NOT speak in different Languages; all do not interpret. (1 Cor. 12:29-30, Emphatic Diaglott)], [THE EQUIPPING SPIRITUAL GIFT/OFFICE] apostles [Gk: 'a delegate; specially an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ [ apostle ] (with miraculous powers): apostle, messenger, he that is sent']; and some [NOT ALL], prophets [Gk: 'a foreteller ( prophet ); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: prophet']; and some [NOT ALL], evangelists [Gk: 'a preacher of the gospel: evangelist; to announce good news ( evangelize ) especially the gospel: declare, bring (declare,

11 show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel)']; and some [NOT ALL], pastors [Gk: 'a shepherd (literal or figurative): to tend (sheep, cattle, or any flock) as a shepherd, pastor'] and [some NOT ALL] teachers [Gk: 'an instructor (genitive or special): doctor, master, teacher']; FOR THE PERFECTING [Gk: 'complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental or moral character, etc), completeness (7/SEVEN), of full age, accomplished, consummate (in character), consecrated, finished, fulfilled, mature, immaculate, manifesting the fruits of the Spirit'] OF THE SAINTS [THE OBEDIENT AND THE REBELLOUS--'Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men (mankind, humanity); yea, FOR THE REBELLIOUS ALSO (have you given gifts to), that the LORD God might dwell among them (ALL MANKIND, THE OBEDIENT AND THE REBELLOUS).' (Ps. 68:18)], FOR THE WORK [Gk: '(to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); implication an act:--deed, doing, labor, work'] OF THE MINISTRY [Gk: 'attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary {supported by charity or offerings}) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate {office of a deacon}):--minister, administer, ministering, ministration, administration, ministry, office, relief, service, servicing'], FOR THE EDIFYING [Gk: 'architecture, structure, confirmation, building'] OF THE [WHOLE] BODY OF CHRIST." (Ephesians 4:11-12, KJV). "Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of Himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of Himself that He had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, He stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, He lived a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion." (Philippians 2:3-8, The Message Remix). 5. I will support the testimony of my church... by living faithfully within and outside our gatherings... by living a godly life... by living generous with all that God gives me "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting [encouraging] one another: and so much the more, as you see the day [of Christ's 2nd Coming] approaching." (Hebrews 10:25, KJV). "Only let your conversation be [Gk: 'To behave as a citizen

12 (figuratively):--let conversation be, live'] as it becomes [Gk: 'Appropriately:--as becometh, after a godly sort, worthily, worthy'] the gospel [Good News of God's Kingdom, Message of God's Government] of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that all of you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for [Gk: 'To wrestle in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to seek jointly:--labor with, strive together for'] the faith of the gospel. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but ALSO TO SUFFER [Gk: 'To experience a sensation or impression (usually painful):--feel, passion, suffer, vex'] FOR HIS SAKE." (Philippians 1:27 & 29, RAPV). "Yes, and all that will live godly [Gk: 'Well-reverent (worshipful, respectful), i.e. pious (dutiful, virtuous, moral):--devout (spiritual, devoted, committed, dedicated), godly (holy, saintly)'] in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution [Gk: 'To pursue (literally or figuratively); implication to persecute:--ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute, persecution, press forward']. But EVIL MEN AND SEDUCERS [Gk: a wizard (as muttering spells):--wicked men and swindlers/imposters, FAKE CHRISTIANS AND FALSE LEADERS'] SHALL WAX [grow] WORSE AND WORSE [or as some translations have it, 'go from bad to worse'], deceiving, and being deceived" (2nd Tim. 3:12-13). "Now concerning the collections [Gk: '(in the commercial sense). A contribution (donation, gift, giving, involvement, role):--collection, gathering'] FOR THE SAINTS, as I have given order [Gk: 'To arrange thoroughly, i.e. (specifically) institute, prescribe, etc:--appoint, command, give, (set in) order, ordain'] to the churches of Galatia, even SO DO ALL OF YOU. Upon the first day of the week [Sunday, not Saturday the Sabbath. Money transactions were not to be carried out on the Sabbath under the Old Covenant] let every one of you lay by him in store [Gk: 'To amass or reserve (literally or figuratively):--lay up (treasure), (keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up)'], AS GOD HAS PROSPERED [Gk: 'To help on the road, i.e. (passive) succeed in reaching; figuratively to succeed in business affairs:--prosper, have a prosperous journey'] HIM, that there be no gatherings [Gk: '(in the commercial sense). A contribution (donation, gift, giving, involvement, role):--collection, gathering'] when I come [Come on the Sabbaths, or Saturday. Remember Paul '... AS HIS MANNER WAS, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ (the SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD).' (Acts 17:2)]." (1st Corinthians 16:1-2). "Now ye [all of you] Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, NO CHURCH [not Ephesus,

13 not Rome, not Corinth, not Thessalonia, not Galatia, not Thyatira, not Philadelphia, not Colosse, not Antioch, not Jerusalem, not Macedonia, not Greece, not Smyrna, not Pergamos, not Sardis, not Laodicea. not Samaria, not Damascus, not Lydda, not Judea, not Athens, or any other church] communicated [Gk: 'distributed, shared'] with me as concerning GIVING and RECEIVING, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent [financial aid] ONCE and AGAIN unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire FRUIT [their financial giving was FRUIT] that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [offerings and other items] which were sent from you, [their MONEY was not only FRUIT, it was...] AN ODOR OF A SWEET SMELL, A SACRIFICE ACCEPTABLE, WELLPLEASING TO GOD. But my God shall supply all your need according to His RICHES [Gk: 'Wealth (as fullness), i.e. (literally) MONEY, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable bestowment:--riches'] in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:15-19). "For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain CONTRIBUTION [Gk: 'partnership, i.e. (literal) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary {FINANCIAL, fiscal, economic}) benefaction (SUPPORT, patronage, investment, backing, sponsorship, AID):--(to) communicate, communication, communion, distribution, contribution, fellowship'] FOR THE POOR SAINTS [Jewish Christians] which are at Jerusalem. It has pleased them TRUTHFULLY; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles [Christians] have been made partakers [Gk: 'To share with others (objectively or subjectively):--communicate, distribute, be partaker'] of their spiritual things [spiritual wealth], their duty is also to minister [Gk: 'To be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve):--minister'] unto them in carnal things [material wealth]. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this FRUIT." (Romans 15:26-29). " freely ye have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8b). "Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not thou away" (Matt. 5:42). "The churches in Macedonia and Achaia, you see, have thought it a good thing to make a contribution towards the poor Christians in Jerusalem. They have decided to do this, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the gentiles have had a share in the Jews spiritual good things it is only fair that they should look after the Jews as far as the good things of this world are concerned" (Rom. 15:26-27, J. B. Phillips Translation).

14 "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over " (Luke 6:38). "I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). "But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; NOT grudgingly, or of necessity [Gk: compulsion as in a commanded law]: for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:6-7). There is one more very important Scripture that should go in this group and that is 1st Tim. 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and worse than an infidel [Gk: 'a disbeliever, i.e. without Christ faith, specifically a heathen, untrustworthy (person), incredible (thing), him that believeth not, faithless, unbeliever']." ============================================================= ================================================ MY MINISTERIAL CODE OF ETHNICS Believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and proclaiming Him Lord and SAVIOUR OF THE WHOLE WORLD, I reaffirm my vows as a SERVANT and ordained minister. Through dedication ad discipline I will lead and serve with integrity. Relying on God's Spirit, His love, His power, and His grace, I commit myself to the following: Personal Conduct: witnessing to the ministry of Jesus Christ; dedicating time, strength, vitality and energy for effective ministry; growing in faith, knowledge, perspective, conviction, character, skills, and practice of ministry through spiritual disciplines, study, continuing education and service; living a life that honors my commitments to my family, including the need for privacy and time together; taking time for physical and spiritual renewal, recreation and vacation; being a faithful steward of God's gifts to me by managing time, talents and all (plus financial) resources responsibly and generously; accepting responsibility for al debts which I incur; keeping physically and emotionally fit and refraining from substance abuse and other abusive behaviors; using my position, power and authority in non-exploitive ways;

15 maintaining high moral standards in my sexual behavior; regarding all persons with equal respect and concern and undertaking to minister impartially. Relationships to the Church That I Serve: nurturing and offering my gifts for the ministry to the church; calling forth and nurturing the gifts of others in the church and joining their gifts with mine for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ and the health and growth of the church; preaching and teaching the Good News of the Coming Kingdom of God, the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the New Covenant without fear or favor and speaking the truth in love; administering the spiritual sacrifices, gifts, offerings, and services upon the New Covenant Altar of the church with integrity and not for financial gain; working cooperatively and uncompetitively with those whom I serve in the particular ministry to which I have been called; administering the corporate finances of the church with personal integrity; refraining from accepting any gift which would compromise the church's ministry; honoring all confidences which come to me in my role as minister and refraining from gossip; encouraging and participating in the regular evaluation of my ministry and cooperating with the Regional Ministry Center/Church in the periodic review of my ministerial standing; seeking the counsel of the 5 Fold Regional Ministers should divisive tensions threaten my relationship with those I serve. Relationships to Ministry Contemporaries: engaging in New Covenantal relationships with contemporaries or peers in my generation which involve nurture, discipline, family support, vigorous dialogue, mutual teaching/learning and spiritual structure and pattern; supporting contemporaries or peers in my generation in ministry and their families while not exploiting their problems or crisis; performing leadership services within another congregation or services for a member of another congregation only at the invitation of the governing leadership administration of that congregation supporting and at no time speaking maliciously of the ministry of my predecessor or another minister in the congregation in which I hold membership; supporting and at no time recognizing a charge against a 5 fold minister, an elder, or any leader in the governing administration unless it is supported by two or three responsible and credible witnesses; encouraging the ministry of my successor upon my departure or of any kind of leaving from a ministry position, without interfering or intruding and

16 by making it clear to former members that I am no longer their congregational or regional leader. Relationship to the Community and the Universal Church: participating responsibility in the life and work of my community, bearing apostolic/prophetic/teaching/evangelical/pastoral witness to the Good News of the Coming Kingdom of God, the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the New Covenant, working toward a just and morally responsible society; participating faithfully in the life and work of all manifestations of the Kingdom of God, The Body of Christ The New Covenant Church of the Living God; seeking to know, understand and respect the diversity of opinions and people within the Kingdom of God, The Body of Christ The New Covenant Church of the Living God; being a responsible representative or ambassador of the one Body of Christ The New Covenant Church of the Living God and participating in activities that strengthen its unity in Spirit and Truth, witness and mission, worship and magnification, relationship and membership, discipleship and maturity, equipping and edification. M.I.C. ASSEMBLY CHURCH COVENANT Since we have committed ourselves to Jesus Christ and have experienced the acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption of God our Creator and Father, we at M.I.C. Assembly Covenant together as members of this church that with God's help through the guidance of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the indwelling presence of the Father and the Son through fellowship of their life-giving Spirit: We will together continue in and stand on the foundational Truths and doctrines of God and His Word, also called the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the New Covenant handed down from heaven by Jesus Christ to and through the Apostles and Prophets. We will walk together in God's and Christ's love. We will show loving care for one another and encourage, counsel, warn, and admonish one another. We will assemble faithfully in spirit and truth for worship and fellowship and will pray earnestly for others, including all government officials worldwide as well as for ourselves. We will endeavor to bring up those under our care "in the nurturing, training, disciplinary corrections, mild rebukes, and warnings of the Lord." We will by Christ's example and personal effort, to acquaint people with Christ through God's Word and to encourage their spiritual maturity in His

17 knowledge. We will share one another's joys and endeavor to bear one another's burdens and sorrows. We will oppose all conduct that compromises our faith and will uphold high standards of Christ's character. We will "with sound doctrine expose, convict, and correct those whose teachings contradict the Word of God that they may be sound in the faith" and "earnestly fight for the faith once delivered to the saints" by the apostles and prophets. We will prove the reality of our conversion by living godly, fruitful lives while enduring physical and spiritual adversity. We will maintain a faithful balance of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, leadership, spiritual warfare, and evangelism. We will be faithful stewards of our time, talents, abilities, and resources in sharing the Gospel with people of all nations. As a result of this Covenant relationship, we will seek earnestly to live to the glory of God who bought us with His own blood, and brought us out of darkness (Satan's Kingdom, Mystery Babylon, Old Jerusalem below, the Church in the wilderness, Hate, Confusion, Bondage, and Sin) into the marvelous Light (God's Kingdom, Mount Zion, New Jerusalem above, Christ's body the church of God on the Rock, Love, Peace, Liberty, and Righteousness). I have read the above policy and agree to observe the safeguards listed. Signature Date Please print name