Covenant

A forge is an environment that helps facilitate change. The specific desired result in my current forging environment is to develop leaders for a lifetime of ministry. As a group we get to help shape our experience so we may grow as much as possible. One of the ways we are able to enhance or time here is by creating a covenant together. Our covenant is the set of ground rules that we mutually decide to live by. We are asked to define how we will relate as a group to a number of different things like media, curfews, etc. We agree upon our own freedoms and restrictions for the eight months we are in this program so we can learn and grow as much as possible.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:1-2)

Understanding the gravity of a commitment we have the opportunity to ratify our covenant. We each took time to confess the parts of our lives that make it hard for us to wholly commit to this program and this community. Our ratification resembled the commitment made between Abraham and God in Genesis 15. We then had communion, recognizing that any covenant we could make pales in comparison to the New Covenant from God in Jesus Christ. We need the perfect sacrifice of Christ to allow us to live in community with our God.