Where do we get our name?
When we were faced with choosing a name, we had several themes we wanted to utilize. We were also constrained by the desire to have a name that was not already used by another church in the state of Georgia.
The following explains the two elements of our name:
Berean
It was the knowledge of the truth that transformed our minds and our understanding of Christ’s church. The Word of God shines light into darkness. As the Lord graciously opened our eyes to the truth, we began to see incorrect teachings and practices that have filled the modern day American church. We committed from the very beginning that Berean Covenant Church would demand that its body of believers would place a strong emphasis on the private and corporate study of the Word of God. We agreed that we would not base any of our government, doctrines, traditions, and worship practices on what other churches did or on familiar traditions. Instead, we would be like the Berean church in Acts and take everything to the Word of God to determine whether that element met the test of Scriptural soundness.
And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)
And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)
Covenant
The past experiences of our founding members was shaped by churches whose only requirement for “membership” was to walk an aisle and ask to have their letters of membership transferred. At the vast majority of churches, becoming a member is much easier than joining a civic or social organization. As a result, most churches are filled with people who have very divergent views on the gospel, salvation, the purpose of the church, morality, and a host of issues involving doctrine and the Christian life. A crucial aspect missing is an understanding that the church is the gathering of genuinely converted believers who are in a covenant relationship with the Sovereign Lord and with one another. We determined from the beginning that all people wishing to join in membership with this church body would be required to attend a course on the meaning of covenant relationships with God and man. Further, all members would affirm the doctrines, practices, and individual expectations of all who are associated with Berean Covenant Church. A clear understanding of the role of covenant in Scripture and church life is crucial to maintaining a church body united in mind and purpose.
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. (Psalm 25:14)
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. (Psalm 25:14)