What We Believe
Attending a church for the first time can be intimidating: “Will they accept me? I know very little about the Bible. I think God exists, but I have my doubts.” We get all that! So, here are a few thoughts that might help break the ice.
At Church of the Covenant, we know everyone is on a journey. Even in North Arlington, where everyone seems to have it all together, no one is a finished person. So, Covenant aims to create a come-as-you-are culture—a place where people are authentic and accepting, a deliberate oasis from the competitive culture we are in. We welcome each individual wherever they may find themselves on their journey.
Not only do we aim for acceptance, but we also desire Covenant to be a place of growth for each person. Being honest about ourselves, our lives, and even our "issues" (let's face it, we've all got them) helps us get started. Wherever "here' is for you in your journey, we hope to walk alongside you to get "there' and beyond!
So here's what it boils down to: God is for YOU! In our world of job reviews, Monday morning quarterbacking, TV vote-to-win competitions, and the hyper-competitive culture of Metro DC, it's hard to believe that someone loves you simply because you're YOU.
However, we find that until we grasp that God is for us (God is good, loves us, and wants only the best for us), we will keep trying to measure up and never truly feel like we do.
We get that in a world filled with evil, suffering, pain, and abandonment, it is hard to embrace a good God who is in control of life. Doubt is ok and even welcome as an inevitable part of the journey with God. So, at the same time that we affirm what we do know, we are honest about what we don’t.
Should you decide to give us a shot, a warm welcome awaits you! You most likely won't find a "perfect" church - and definitely no perfect people - but you can find room to grow, and meet your neighbors.
What does it mean to be Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?
Chruch of the Covenant is a part of a denomination called the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). There are many different types of Christian church denominations, and each one brings a series of beliefs and a rich history that tells you about the faith they profess.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a confessional church, whose beliefs are expounded in a series of theological documents known as confessions. The denomination has collected those confessions in a book called The Book of Confessions. You may have heard of some of the confessions that our denomination holds to, like the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the Heidelberg Confession, or the Westminster Confession of Faith. There are other contemporary confessions that we hold to, as well, like our denomination’s Brief Statement of Faith or the Theological Declaration of Barmen.
As a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Church of the Covenant finds its historical roots in the tradition of the Reformation. Two figures loom large in this history: John Knox and John Calvin, both are theologians you are likely to hear about here at Coveannt. While our roots are in the reformation, you’ll also hear from contemporary voices.
.
