1. The people of the covenant include those who recognize and accept the call of God as testified to in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the divine life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

2. The basic feature of the covenant is the relation of partnership between God and his people. It is, however, God's initiative which establishes this relationship - a relationship that stretches from Abraham through Israel and Jesus of Nazareth to the people in Christ. The people who belong to the covenant share the privileges and responsibilities of such a relationship. The response of the covenant people to God's calling is one of repentance, faith, dedication and joy. Inspired by the word of God the response will be evident in proclamation, communion and service.

3. God came in Christ to redeem sinners and to share the misery of our human condition. On the night of Christ's betrayal, when He celebrated the Lord's supper, He offered himself completely, and made it possible for all to share his life and death, his victory and ministry. Thus by confirming the old covenant, He established the new covenant in his blood (Matthew 26.28).

4. Baptism into union with the death of Christ is a sign of the initiation of people into his life and mission in the world. They are joined together in one fellowship of love. service, suffering and joy. They are one family of the God of all in heaven and earth. They live by the power of one Spirit. The Risen Christ sent his disciples just as He had been sent by the Father (John 20.21). Mission is the mission of Christ, and the covenant people are called to share in his mission...that mission determines the existence of his people. They exist for the whole world and should be living out, in the world, in anticipation of their future and final victory over sin and death.

5. Often within some churches there is a lack of vitality, a decline and lack of vision and joy in sharing the good news. In contrast, other churches are vital, expanding, full of hope and with a sense of responsibility for the whole world to know God in Christ. There is so little recognition of and repentance for our insensitivity to one another across boundaries of nation, race, language, denomination, class, etc. There is much division amongst the people who claim to be in partnership with the same God. We so often commit the sin of mistaking such divisions for the diversity that is given by the Holy Spirit.

6. The people of the covenant must rely on God rather than on themselves. They should have a vision for the world in which they live, and be able more closely to realize their communion with each other. Their attitude of repentance and involvement in the burning issues of humanity are essential to their proclamation of the coming of the kingdom.

7. As a family of Reformed and reforming churches, under the guidance of God, in the light of biblical insight, and prayerfully, we commit ourselves to live out the realities of the kingdom, to recognize all people as our equals and to work for justice and peace in the world.