Compare Burrough's attitude with our culture's attitude toward pastors and leadership, in general. How quick and casual we are to disagree with those God has placed over us. We assume that it's our right, our prerogative, and the way good government works. Let the people have their say! This might make us good democrats, but it does not make us good church members. Let us therefore render to Locke and Jefferson what are Locke and Jefferson's, and to God what is God's. Disagreements may need to be addressed, and when they are addressed they should be done so reluctantly, discreetly, carefully, respectfully, prayerfully, and with a heavy heart. We must finally act according to our conscience, but we must do so fearfully, knowing that (1) Christ has given the church authority, and (2) we will one day be in the position of explaining to Christ why we thought it was necessary to dissent. 

Step 7: Our submission to the local church can be well articulated in a written church covenant, which serves to remind a church of its covenantal commitments to one another.  

A Written Church Covenant 

For the last several centuries, some churches have enshrined vows of submission in a written church covenant. As I said before, writing down a church covenant is a matter of biblical freedom. A number in the Old Testament voluntarily bound themselves to covenants with one another, such as Jonathan and David. In fact, we're told that "Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul" (1 Sam. 18:3). This is exactly what local church covenants should be made of. 

            My own church asks all incoming members to sign such a covenant, and then we stand and read this covenant aloud to one another every time we receive the Lord's Supper, which is monthly. On a monthly basis, then, we remind one another of how we aspire to give and receive care. 

            The following covenant—my church's covenant—begins with the indicative of what Christ has done; it begins with the gospel. Our love for one another is born out of his love for us. It reflects our hope to submit to one another physically, socially, affectionately, financially, vocationally, ethically, and spiritually:

Having, as we trust, been brought by Divine Grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to Him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other. 

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church; exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require. 

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. 

We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends. 

We will rejoice at each other's happiness, and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows. 

We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life. 

We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.