Relational Covenant

Christ United Methodist Church

Relational Covenant of Agreement

By GOD’s GRACE, we, as the Body of Christ, at Christ UMC

agree to relate to one another in the following manner:

1. by FIRST putting Christ at the center of our lives, seeking God’s will in all things,

waiting upon the Lord rather than going before Him, and being obedient to the Holy Spirit.

(Mt. 6:33)

2. by doing all things in love and through prayer. (Colossians 3:14; 4:2 and 1Cor. 13)

3. by speaking the truth in love, renouncing fear and offering blessings to one another.

(Eph. 4:15, 25-29; 1 John 4:18 and Col. 3:16)

4. by seeking to understand before trying to be understood, respecting the opinions and views of

others and “in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Mt. 7:12)

5. by listening in love to each other and seeking to understand the “why” as we respect

boundaries, suspend judgments and are slow to anger. (Mt. 7:15 and James 1:19)

6. by responding to conflict with empathy, compassion and unselfishness, with a goal of

collaboration, as in a “healthy family” (Col. 3:12)

7. by offering forgiveness and acting with humility, joy and patience. (Eph 4:32; Col. 3:13 and

Phil 2:1-5)

8. by willingly being held accountable by God and one another. (Heb 10:24-25)

9. by being intentional and prayerful in our good-byes and in our hellos. (Acts 15:36-41 and

John 17:20-21)

10. by avoiding the sin of gossip and honoring and following the Biblical process of

reconciliation that Jesus taught in Mt 18:15-20, which is:

a. for the offended to talk one-on-one with the offender

b. if not resolved, the offended takes an objective witness (pastor or someone who cares

about both parties and the issue) to help them in reconciling the conflict.

c. if still not resolved, the offended takes the matter before the appropriate church

council (Staff Parish Relations Committee or Administrative Council) for guidance.