COVENANT
COVENANT OF RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN CHURCHES AND
THE CLEVELAND BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
The Church Commits Itself as Follows:
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To affirm the purposes of the Association as stated in the Constitution and to work in a cooperative spirit towards their fulfillment.
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To affirm the purpose of the American Baptist Churches USA and to conduct itself in a way which shall bring credit to the mission of Jesus Christ.
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To contribute a reasonable share of its annual income to the American Baptist Mission Budget, giving serious consideration to tithe as a worthy goal, but no less than 1% of the church’s total annual operational income, to the United Mission Program of ABCUSA. This shall be interpreted as needed by the Department of Mission Promotion.
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To be represented at meetings of the Association by the pastor and lay delegates whenever possible; to be represented whenever possible at the Biennial Meetings of ABCUSA.
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To report annually to the Association on standard American Baptist forms the record of membership, finances, and officers.
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To participate in the activities, meetings, committees, boards, departments and auxiliaries of the Association through attendance and a sharing of leadership.
The Association Commits Itself as Follows:
1. To provide to the Covenanting Churches these privileges of affiliation with ABCUSA including:
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(a) Participation for its ministers in the Retirement and Health Plans of the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB).
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(b) Tax Exempt Status for the church under the American Baptist Group Exemption.
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(c) Eligibility for loans, building counsel, etc., from the American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC)
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(d) Participation by the church and its ministers in the American Baptist Personnel Services (ABPS).
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(e) All delegate privileges in the Association and at the Biennial Meetings of ABCUSA.
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(f) The right of members to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Baptist Association and the General Board of ABCUSA.
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2. In addition, the Association offers the following to Covenanting Churches. These privileges are also provided to Local Affiliates:
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(a) The right to serve on all committees, departments and taskforces of the Cleveland Baptist Association.
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(b) The use of all resources, counsel, and programs of ABCUSA and the Cleveland Baptist Association.
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(c) The hand of Christian Fellowship in serving Christ in the Greater Cleveland area.
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(d) The services of the staff of the Association to assist the church and its ministers in fulfilling their purposes