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Covenant of Partnership
Between Blantyre CCAP Synod and Pittsburgh Presbytery PC(USA)
God’s Word tells us that “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work.” It goes on to say that “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” We, the representatives of the Blantyre CCAP Synod and Pittsburgh Presbytery, pledge ourselves to each other in a partnership of equals in which Jesus is the “third strand,” who binds us together.
During the next three years we will seek to express this partnership through:
- exchange of missionaries
- linkage of congregations
- special gifts
Throughout this time we will seek to evaluate and strengthen our ties, and to be open to whatever further endeavors the Holy Spirit may lead us to in the days ahead.
A Vision for the Partnership
The partnership will include:
- Exchange of Missionaries: Missionaries may be pastors, elders, seminarians, or other Christians sent individually or in groups. During the next three years, our goal will be to have at least two missionary trips per year. Each visit will have a defined purpose such as:
- Evangelism Conference – including music, Bible study, preaching workshop, and pastoral counseling.
- Leadership Development – including opportunities for pastors, elders, and other church leaders to acquire skills for leadership within the congregation.
- Citizenship – including voter education, human rights efforts, democracy education from a Christian perspective.
- Pastor and/or Seminarian Exchange – may be organized around a meeting of the General Assembly PC(USA) or Blantyre CCAP Synod.
- Stewardship
- Medical
- Manual
- Linkage of Congregations:
- Covenant Renewal – Within the next three years all congregation to congregation partnerships will be reviewed and, if applicable, renewed. Thereafter, the partnerships will be reviewed every three years.
- Improved Communications – Efforts will be made to improve communications between partner churches, including possible establishment of a Partnership Secretariat.
- Exchange – Congregations will be encouraged to plan visits, exchange information, and pray for each other.
- Special Gifts: We recognize that there are many kinds of gifts that are exchanged within the partnership. Financial gifts from congregation to congregation or from individual to individual should be small and symbolic, and motivated by friendship. Gifts of more than US $500.00 should be made using the attached guidelines.
- Congregation to Congregation Partnerships: We will encourage congregation to congregation partnerships within the Synod of Blantyre and within the Pittsburgh Presbytery.
2011 Signed Copy of the Covenant
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