I Promise…
… to use the Bible as my ultimate standard of truth. It is God’s word and is more accurate than my opinions, feelings, passions and perspectives.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
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… to practice the spiritual disciplines so that Christ becomes strengthened in me. This includes but is not limited to Bible reading, prayer, tithing, fasting, solitude, etc.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9:25)
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… to receive truth spoken to me by others. Regardless of how the message is delivered I will remember that the information is being given to help and strengthen the mission of our community and me. I will give the benefit of the doubt to the person delivering the difficult information to me.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
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… to pursue personal holiness and purity in my life. That which is honorable I will strive for. That which is dishonorable I will strive to stamp out.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)
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… to go directly to the person I have a concern with prior to enlisting support from other people. If after the initial difficult conversation, I still don’t feel right, I will ask someone who might feel the same way if they will go with me to resume the difficult conversation. If after that interaction I haven’t been satisfied then I will find a person in a position of leadership of the church and seek their guidance.
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you…But if he will not listen, take one or two others along… If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church… (Matthew 18:15-17)
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… to trust those in authority over me. Even when a decision is made that I don’t understand I will remember that I don’t have all the information nor the responsibility and insight that God gives those in leadership. I will commit to not being a burden to authorities in the church so that their job will be a joy. When this happens I will be blessed.
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)
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… to follow-through on my commitments. I realize that when I don’t do what I said I would do I dishonor God and those I’m in community with. Unfulfilled commitments put an additional burden on others that they shouldn’t bear. I commit to follow through on “I Promise.”
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’… (Matthew 5:37)
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Name Date
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Ministry Leader Date