November 9, 1998

A Covenant for Christian Ministry


A Covenant for Christian Ministry between Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary and the
                                    Pastors and Christian Workers of  KECS Association

Our great God has made an everlasting covenant with us through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13.20,21). Such a binding, solemn, and meaningful relationship the structure of His relationship with His people since the time of Adam. We now enter into such a covenant relationship with one another as evidence of our good faith and serious commitment to partnering in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ in Kazakhstan.

KECS exists to promote the founding, growth, and independence of the Church of Jesus Christ in this nation through the training of Christian leaders. By God’s grace, we will do whatever we are able to see this goal reached. We praise Him for whatever measure of success we have attained, to Him be all the glory.

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KECS makes the following covenant commitment before God to our graduates who are serving the churches of  the Association -

- You will forever be in our hearts as beloved brothers and sisters, and we endeavor to always relate to you with Christian love, respect, and encouragement.

- You will be in our prayers on a regular basis; and we want to always be available to spend time in prayer, fellowship, and counsel with you, as our schedules allow.

- We will offer to you a regular program of Continuing Education. This will consist of Monday meetings at the Seminary; occasional pastors conferences, and an open invitation to attend the lectures of the seminary for you and your church leaders (we ask that you give advance notice of your coming to make necessary arrangements).

- We will give you access to the Resident and Visiting Professors of the Seminary, as their schedules allow, to seek their advice, and to utilize them in your congregations.

- With our advice and approval, we will seek to promote ministry relations between your congregations and our current students as a part of their practical ministry assignments.

- We is will endeavor, as God provides, to provide you with financial support for a limited period of time. This support is given as a gift of love, through the sacrifice of God’s people in other lands; as such, it is a faith based provision. We have no earthly guarantee of its continuation.

It is our conviction from Scripture (1 Corinthians 16.1,2, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, Galatians 6.6,1 Timothy 5.17,18) that the local congregation is responsible for supporting the needs of its pastor. We want to assist you to begin your ministry with financial support, with the goal that you will soon be independent of our support; like a child who grows independent of parental support. We believe that to offer you financial support indefinitely would violate this clear principle of  Scripture, and create a weakened and dependent Church in Kazakhstan.

The specifics of our financial support are as follows. During your first full year of ministry after appointment we will provide, if God provides, 100% of the agreed upon amount. During your second year of service the amount will be 75% of the amount. During your third year of service you will receive 50% of  the amount. During the fourth year you will receive 25% of the amount. After four years of service, you will receive no financial support from the Seminary. These figures are firm and non-negotiable as we attempt to
obey the Biblical principle of the financial and spiritual maturity the Church.


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I, ______________________________________, servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and member of the Association, make the following covenant commitment before God to His servants at KECS.

- You will forever be in my heart as beloved brothers and sisters, and I endeavor to always relate to you with Christian love, respect, and encouragement.

- You will be in my prayers on a regular basis; and I want to always be available to spend time in prayer, fellowship, and counsel with you, as our schedules allow.

- I will be faithful to attend the program of Continuing Education, especially  the Monday meetings at the Seminary, and other announced occasional meetings.

- As my schedule and family needs allow, I will occasionally offer Christian friendship and hospitality to the Resident and Visiting Professors of the Seminary, to enable them to have a fuller picture of God’s work in this nation; and thus improve their training of its leaders.

-  I will support and promote the training of our seminary students with my prayers and pastoral encouragement; to strengthen their walk with God and the Church of Christ. I will prayerfully work toward the day when KECS is not dependent upon  outside workers and finance; a seminary rooted and the flourishing in the Christian soil of Kazakhstan.

- As a sign of my appreciation to the donors who have sacrificed to support me financially, I will faithfully submit my completed monthly ministry report on time.

- As an act of personal discipline, I will keep a daily calendar to plan and document my ministry activities. I will also create a calendar of church activities, including my preaching schedule. I realize I may be asked to share this information with the leaders of KECS.

- With God as the only witness and judge of my activities, I will endeavor to serve at least 40 hours every week in the ministry of the church as I spend time in prayer, study, sermon preparation, discipling, visitation, counseling, evangelism, and church meetings.

- I will submit my life to the demands of the Lord through  Scripture for my spiritual growth, family responsibilities, faithful service, and godly example. As such, I will spend daily time in the reading of Scripture and prayer for its guidance and encouragement.

- I will receive any financial support with gratefulness and appreciation. I will handle it as a “wise steward” realizing it is a gift of love, through the sacrifice of God’s people in other lands. I am aware that there is no earthly guarantee of its continuation; yet, my trust is in the Lord who provides for all my needs (Philippians 4.19).

It is my conviction from Scripture (1 Corinthians 16.1,2, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, Galatians 6.6,1 Timothy 5.17,18) that the local congregation is responsible for supporting the needs of its pastor. As a leader of a local church, I will keep teach and model this principle to God’s people by my example and witness. It is my prayer that God will use me to help establish a congregation which is fully mature spiritually and materially, not just to support my needs, but also to bless many others throughout the earth.

 I accept the specifics of the yearly financial support arrangement detailed in this covenant document. I realize that it may create some hardship for me, but I receive it as a means of God’s direction and confirmation of my life and ministry. I accept the challenge of having to creatively balance the needs of my family with the promises and purposes of God. The result may be that my ministry takes directions that were not planned or anticipated, but as God’s child I will trust Him for all my future.

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With full faith and dependence on God, we make this Covenant of  Ministry, asking Him to help us fulfill the promises we have made to one another, and to Him. Like any  covenant, the relationship is dependent upon keeping its terms; to break covenant promises is to be break the covenant. May God keep us faithful, by His grace and for His glory.

Signed,



_______________________________        _________________________________
Seminary Leader                                             Christian Worker

__________________                                    ____________________
date                                                                 date




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