Covenant relationships are initiated by the Lord for the purpose of bringing two or more people together as one.
A covenant is the fivefold structure of authority that specifies:
- The source of authority
- The delegation of authority
- The standards of authority
- The transfer of authority
- The expansion of authority
These five dimensions of covenantal authority answer five basic questions:
- Who is in charge?
- Who is authorized to do what?
- What rules do we operate by?
- What happens to those who keep the rules and to those who don’t?
- What future do we imagine for the world and ourselves?
This fivefold pattern structures 1) who we are, particularly in our mode of worship which is Liturgy, 2) how we live as expressed in our pattern of discipleship as expressed in our Catechism and 3) in what we do, which our Canons serve as guidelines.
While our Liturgy, Catechism and Canons are grounded on rock solid answers to the above basic questions about covenantal authority, our answers to these questions are not formulaic, but instead invite all of us to dialogue with the Lord and each other in a quest to better understand and apply the this fivefold pattern of the covenant to new situations. We do not have formulaic answers that tie up all the loose ends. We have questions that require discussion and debate in the Council of the Lord. We are on a quest precisely because we have questions. The covenantal pattern shown us on the Mountain enables us to build accordingly, but in a way that explores ever more creative and bold answers to the challenges of our generation (Ex. 25:40).
Therefore,
- We journey to the Mountain to meet with God who is the source of our authority, an authority that is “from above,” not “of this world.”
- We assemble as the Church to receive delegated authority from God where all have equal value but different functions in discerning the will of God.
- We listen to the Word as the standard of authority that advances mercy and justice for all.
- We govern from the Table to transfer authority to the fatherless, widow, poor, oppressed, prisoners and sick that we all may be made whole.
- We serve the Church and the World to expand the chivalric use of authority to heavenize earth by exhausting evil and restoring all things ruined by evil.
Our mode of worship in our Liturgy is covenantal
First, in the procession in response to the call to worship we journey to the Mountain of the Lord, to Him who is the source of our authority. Second, we assemble as the Church according to our equally valuable but different delegated roles in the community. Third, we listen to the Word to grow in our ability to apply the truth as the standard for all areas of thought and life. Fourth, in governing from the Table, first by being made whole ourselves in receiving the Bread and the Wine, we then by intercession transfer authority to the fatherless, widow, poor, oppressed, prisoner and sick that they too may be made whole. Fifth, we’re blessed and commissioned to go forth to serve the Church and the world, expanding the victorious reach of chivalric justice in the name of Christus Victor.
Our five disciplines express the five dimensions of the covenant
The five primary disciplines of our Basileian way of life – journey, assemble, listen, govern and serve – are directly parallel to the five dimensions of covenant that speak to the source, delegation, standard, transfer and expansion of authority.
- The source of authority. In our journey with Christ to the Mountain as Worshipers, Global Pilgrims and Contemplatives, in these three ways of prayer and worship we enter into an intimate, right and liberating relationship with the One who is our source of authority in the Kingdom of God.
- The delegation of authority. In our assembling as the Church as Soul Friends, Celtic Community-Builders and Forerunners we join with others in community to be mentored, united and released as delegated authorities in the Kingdom of God.
- The standard of authority. In our listening to the Word as Storytellers, Pattern-Keepers and Overcomers we receive, interpret and apply the Word as the standard of authority in the Kingdom of God.
- The transfer of authority. In our governing from the Table as Sentinels, Friends of God and Stewards we faithfully, safely and fruitfully administer the transfer of authority in the Kingdom of God.
- The expansion of authority. In our service to the Church and the world as Hosts, Ambassadors and Voluntary Exiles we individually, socially and creationally expand the authority of the Kingdom of God.
Our manner of governance in our Canons is covenantal
Our Canons address the core covenantal questions of 1) who is in charge? 2) who is authorized to do what? 3) what rules do we operate by? 4) what happens to those who keep the rules and to those who don’t? and 5) what future do we imagine for the world and ourselves?
In summary, the covenant is the structure of authority by which two or more are made one. The covenant is how individuals are membered to a community (whether in marriage, to the Church, etc.) without loosing their unique identity, but actually become constituted with others to be something more than they were as individuals alone.
We enact covenantal authority as a communion shaped by convergence.
