Covenant Renewal Worship: The Shepherd’s Church Distinctives Part 2
In this series, Pastor Kendall Lankford and Deacon Dan Hult elaborate on the distinctives of The Shepherd’s Church, so everyone who worships with us, visits us, or lands on our webpage will know who we are, how we are, what we are, why we are, and what they can expect.
Picture a craftsman working meticulously on a piece of furniture. Each cut, joint, and finish is deliberate, ensuring the piece is both beautiful and functional. This craftsmanship mirrors how we at The Shepherd's Church, approach our distinctives. Each distinctive is carefully chosen, rooted in Scripture, and crafted to honor God and serve His people faithfully.
Distinctives are the core beliefs and practices that define a church's identity and mission. They are not arbitrary but essential in shaping the church's direction and ensuring it stays true to its biblical foundations. In a world where churches can be swayed by cultural trends and personal preferences, having clear, biblically grounded distinctives is like having a solid blueprint that guides us in our mission.
A church cannot be pleasing to God if its distinctives violate Scripture or fail to honor His commands. Our aim at The Shepherd's Church is to be known for our adherence to biblical truth. This does not mean we are perfect, but it does mean we are committed to continually reforming our practices according to God's Word.
We strive to live biblically saturated lives and offer biblically saturated ministry. We want future generations to look back and see that The Shepherd's Church was a beacon of biblical fidelity. To achieve this, everything about us, especially our distinctives, must be shaped by and consistent with Holy Scripture.
COVENANT THEOLOGY: A FOUNDATIONAL DISTINCTIVE
One of our most foundational distinctives is covenant theology. Covenant theology is not merely a theological concept; it is a lens through which we understand the entire Bible narrative, God's relationship with humanity, and our approach to worship. This distinctive is crucial because it provides a cohesive framework for interpreting Scripture and living out our faith.
Dan Hult covered this topic in more depth here, so this blog will focus on its significance and how it informs our church's beliefs and practices. Understanding covenant theology allows us to see the Bible as a unified story of God's redemptive work, calling us to live faithfully as His covenant people. This distinctive is essential for our church, guiding our understanding of faith and shaping our worship and daily lives.
PART 1: WHAT IS A COVENANT THEOLOGY
Covenant theology is a foundational perspective that frames our understanding of the Bible and informs our worship practices. At its core, covenant theology views the Bible as a unified narrative of God's redemptive work through a series of covenants, or solemn agreements, made with humanity. These covenants are divinely initiated and establish the framework within which God interacts with His people, calling them into a relationship characterized by mutual commitments and promises.
DEFINING A COVENANT
As defined by O. Palmer Robertson, a covenant is "a bond of blood sovereignly administered," emphasizing its serious and binding nature. Essentially, a covenant is a solemn agreement between two parties, akin to modern contracts like marriage or a mortgage. In marriage, two people commit to each other legally and emotionally, while a mortgage involves a borrower promising to repay a loan. Both examples highlight mutual commitments and obligations, mirroring the nature of biblical covenants.
STRUCTURE OF BIBLICAL COVENANTS
Biblical covenants often follow the structure of Suzerain-Vassal treaties from the ancient Near East. In such treaties, a powerful ruler (Suzerain) offers protection and benefits to a lesser ruler (Vassal), who, in return, pledges loyalty and service. This structure can be seen in God's covenants with humanity, where God, as the sovereign Creator, establishes the terms and offers blessings. In contrast, humanity is called to respond with obedience and faithfulness.
MAJOR COVENANTS IN THE BIBLE
Covenant with Adam: God gives Adam dominion over creation and commands obedience (Genesis 2:15-17).
Covenant with Noah: After the flood, God promises never to destroy the earth by flood again, symbolized by the rainbow (Genesis 9:1-17).
Covenant with Abraham: God promises descendants, land, and blessings, with circumcision as the sign (Genesis 17:1-14).
Covenant with Moses: God provides the Law and establishes Israel as His chosen people (Exodus 19-24).
Covenant with David: God promises an everlasting dynasty through David's line (2 Samuel 7).
New Covenant: Fulfilled in Jesus Christ, offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8).
Each of these covenants is initiated by God and requires a response of faith and obedience from humanity. They progressively reveal God's redemptive plan, culminating in the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. This covenantal framework is essential for our faith at The Shepherd's Church, shaping our understanding of God's relationship with humanity, our interpretation of Scripture, and our worship practices.
COVENANT THEOLOGY AND WORSHIP
Understanding covenant theology allows us to see the Bible as a coherent story of redemption, which directly informs our approach to worship. At The Shepherd's Church, we believe that worship is not a collection of disconnected rituals but a re-enactment of the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Each element of our worship service—Call, Confession, Consecration, Communion, and Commission—reflects this covenantal pattern, making our worship a deliberate pilgrimage imitating how God has always called His people into His presence and blessed them in His love.
In the next section, we will explore how these covenantal forms inform our worship practices, shaping our liturgy and guiding us in our weekly worship services. This understanding transforms our worship from mere tradition into a profound encounter with God, rooted in His covenantal promises and our identity as His covenant people.
PART 2: HOW DO COVENANTS INFORM OUR WORSHIP?
God establishes and maintains His relationship with His people through covenants, so at The Shepherd's Church, we follow a covenant renewal liturgy every week because it reflects that pattern. This practice is not just an incidental feature of Scripture but a central paradigm of divine interaction. Our liturgy is structured around a five-part pattern that can be seen throughout the Bible, particularly in the life of Abraham. Dan Hult recently covered the underlying meaning behind each part (HERE), so I will only summarize and focus on our specific practice. This pattern includes:
Call: God initiates the relationship by calling His people into His presence.
Confession: We respond by acknowledging our sins and seeking His forgiveness.
Consecration: We dedicate ourselves to God's service, setting ourselves apart for His purposes.
Communion: We share in fellowship and unity with God, often through the Lord's Supper.
Commission: We are sent out to fulfill God's mission in the world.
Using Abraham as an example, we see this structure clearly. God called Abraham to leave his homeland (Call), Abraham acknowledged his dependence on God (Confession), God made profound promises, and Abraham responded with obedience (Consecration); they shared meals and intimate fellowship (Communion), and Abraham was given a mission to be a blessing to all nations (Commission).
This covenantal pattern is reflected in our worship service each Sunday, guiding our liturgy and helping us live out our faith as a covenant community. Each element of our worship—from the call to worship through confession and consecration to communion and commissioning—follows this biblical pattern, reminding us of God's ongoing relationship with His people and our response to His grace.
CALL: GOD CALLS HIS PEOPLE TO WORSHIP
Worship begins with a divine call. Just as God called Abraham to leave his homeland and step into a journey of faith (Genesis 12:1-3), so He calls us out of our daily routines and into His presence. This call is not just a ritualistic invitation but a powerful reminder that worship starts with God's initiative. He summons us because He desires to meet with us. At The Shepherd's Church, the call to worship is a moment of sacred recognition that we are entering a holy dialogue with our Creator. It's God's way of gathering His people, much like a shepherd calls his sheep, reminding us that we are part of a larger story, a covenant community called by God Himself.
CONFESSION: WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS AND RECEIVE GOD'S FORGIVENESS
In Abraham's journey, we see moments of vulnerability and trust. Genesis 15:6 says, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." While this verse highlights Abraham's faith, it also implicitly acknowledges his need for God's grace. In our worship, confession is the step where we come clean before God, admitting our shortcomings and sins. It's a humbling moment that mirrors Abraham's acknowledgment of his dependence on God. At The Shepherd's Church, we corporately confess our sins, trusting that God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This confession is not about guilt but grace, reminding us of God's covenant promise to forgive and restore.
CONSECRATION: WE ARE SET APART FOR GOD'S PURPOSES
Consecration in worship is akin to Abraham's covenant ceremony in Genesis 15, where God made profound promises, and Abraham responded with sacrificial obedience. During this ceremony, animals were cut in two, and God, symbolized by a smoking firepot and a blazing torch, passed between the pieces, signifying His unwavering commitment. Similarly, consecration is our response to God's call and forgiveness in our worship. It's a moment of dedication, where we offer ourselves anew to God's service. This could be through the reading of Scripture, the preaching of the Word, or our prayers. It's about setting ourselves apart for God's purposes, acknowledging that we are a holy people, chosen and dearly loved.
COMMUNION: WE SHARE IN FELLOWSHIP AND UNITY WITH GOD
One of the most intimate moments in Abraham's life was when he shared a meal with the Lord in Genesis 18:1-8. This meal was more than just food; it was a moment of deep fellowship and communion. In our worship, communion represents this same deep fellowship. At The Shepherd's Church, we partake in the Lord's Supper, remembering Christ's sacrificial death and celebrating our unity with Him and each other. This meal is a covenant renewal, a reminder of the New Covenant established by Jesus' blood. It signifies our ongoing relationship with God and our commitment to live as His covenant people. Communion is a taste of the heavenly banquet that awaits us, a celebration of God's faithfulness and our unity in Him.
COMMISSION: WE ARE SENT OUT TO FULFILL GOD'S MISSION
God's covenant with Abraham included a commission: "You will be the father of many nations" (Genesis 17:4-5). This mission was reiterated in Genesis 22:16-18, where God promised that all nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham's offspring. Our worship services conclude with a similar commission. We are reminded that worship doesn't end when we leave the church building; it continues in our daily lives as we fulfill God's mission in the world. The benediction or sending forth at The Shepherd's Church is a powerful reminder that we are sent out to make disciples, to be a light in the darkness, and to bring God's blessings to the nations. It's a call to action inspired by our covenant relationship with God.
WHY THIS MATTERS
This covenantal pattern of worship is not arbitrary; it is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and reflects the rhythm of God's relationship with His people. Understanding worship through the lens of covenant theology helps us appreciate the depth and significance of each element of our service. It reminds us that worship is a response to God's initiative, a celebration of His grace, a commitment to His purposes, and a commissioning to His mission.
At The Shepherd's Church, this approach transforms our worship from a series of disconnected acts into a cohesive journey that mirrors the story of redemption. It helps us see that every part of our worship is connected to God's covenantal promises and our identity as His people. This understanding enriches our worship experience, making it a profound encounter with God that shapes our lives and community.
In summary, covenant theology informs our worship by providing a structured, meaningful pattern that reflects the biblical narrative. It helps us understand why we do what we do in worship and ensures that our services are aligned with God's eternal purposes. This approach makes worship a transformative experience that connects us to God's grand story of redemption, deepens our faith, and sends us out to fulfill His mission in the world.
Here is an example of how this works in our liturgy on a typical Sunday. You will notice that we celebrate the covenant-keeping God every week and how He consistently calls His people into worship throughout Scripture.
LITURGY AT THE SHEPHERD'S CHURCH
CALL
Call to Worship: God initiates our worship by inviting us into His presence, just as He called Abraham to follow Him.
Prayer of Invocation: We invoke God's presence, acknowledging our dependence on Him and seeking His blessing in our worship.
God's Greeting: God greets His people, extending His grace and peace to us as we begin our worship.
Pastoral Prayer: The pastor leads the congregation in prayer, lifting up our praises, confessions, and requests to God.
Song of Commencement: We begin our worship with a song that focuses our hearts and minds on God.
Song of Praise: We sing songs that express our adoration and reverence for God, lifting our voices together in praise.
CONFESSION
Reading of the Law: God's Law is read to remind us of His standards and our need for His grace and forgiveness.
Law Homily: A brief message explains the significance of God's Law and its relevance to our lives today.
Confession of Sin: We corporately confess our sins, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking God's forgiveness.
Covenant Baptism (if applicable): A visible sign of God's covenant promises and our inclusion in His family through faith.
Declaration of Pardon: The assurance that God forgives our sins through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ.
Celebration of Pardon: We rejoice in the forgiveness and grace that God has given us, celebrating His mercy and love.
CONSECRATION
Confession of Faith: We affirm our shared beliefs using the ancient ecumenical creeds (Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Chalcedonian Definition), uniting us as a covenant community.
Catechism: A teaching moment using the Westminster Shorter or Heidelberg Catechism to reinforce our understanding of key doctrinal truths.
Old Testament Responsive Reading: We read and respond to God's Word together, reflecting on His covenant faithfulness throughout history.
New Testament Reading: Scripture is read, showing the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ and guiding us in our faith.
Song of Preparation: We sing to prepare our hearts and minds for preaching the Word.
Sermon: The pastor expounds on Scripture, teaching us and challenging us to live out our faith in practical ways.
Song of Response: We respond to God's Word with a song, expressing our commitment, gratitude, and devotion to Him.
COMMUNION
Communion Reading: Scripture passages related to the Lord's Supper are read, reminding us of the significance of Christ's sacrifice and our unity in Him.
Communion Homily: A short message that prepares our hearts for receiving communion, focusing on the meaning and importance of the sacrament.
Communion Administration: We partake in the Lord's Supper, commemorating Christ's sacrificial death and celebrating our ongoing fellowship with Him and each other.
COMMISSION
The Lord's Prayer: We pray together, aligning our hearts with God's will and seeking His guidance for our lives.
Song of Commission: We sing a song that motivates us to carry out God's mission in the world, reminding us of our calling to be His ambassadors.
Benediction: The service concludes with a blessing, sending us out with God's grace and peace to live as Christ's representatives in the world.
Each part of our liturgy is designed to follow the covenantal pattern found in Scripture, helping us engage deeply with God and each other as His covenant people. This structure enriches our worship and grounds us in the biblical narrative, continually reminding us of God's faithfulness and our call to live for His glory.
CONCLUSION
Understanding covenants as the framework of biblical history allows us to see how each stage of God's plan purposefully leads to the next, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This perspective enables us to appreciate the coherence and unity of Scripture, viewing it not as a collection of disparate stories but as a single, unfolding narrative of redemption.
Each covenant reveals more of God's character and His unwavering commitment to save and sanctify His people. Recognizing our place in this grand story motivates us to live faithfully as part of God's covenant community, eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of His promises in Christ.
By viewing biblical history through the lens of covenant theology, we understand that history climaxes in the faithfulness of Christ, who perfectly fulfills all covenantal obligations and brings God's redemptive plan to its glorious completion. This understanding profoundly shapes our worship, mission, and hope, grounding us in God's eternal faithfulness.
At The Shepherd's Church, this covenantal perspective transforms our worship from a series of disconnected acts into a cohesive journey mirroring the story of redemption. It ensures that every part of our worship is connected to God's covenantal promises and our identity as His people. This approach makes our worship a transformative experience, connecting us to God's grand story of redemption, deepening our faith, and sending us out to fulfill His mission in the world.
In summary, covenant theology provides a structured, meaningful pattern that reflects the biblical narrative and informs our worship practices. This approach ensures that our services align with God's eternal purposes, making worship a profound encounter that shapes our lives and community. By celebrating the covenant-keeping God and His consistent call to worship, we are reminded each week of His faithfulness and our call to live for His glory.