Prattville Community Church has been taking the time to get the word out about their commitment to our community and to grow as they take ownership of the many ministries that have been birthed out of the heart of our founder.

What we’ve noticed throughout this commitment to growth of community through structure and organization, we’ve also seen a parallel to the structure and definition that comes from an agreement – like the contract between owners and contractors – that’s well defined through the use of a contract. It is an interesting juxtaposition when you think about a church and community being birthed as a “fly by the seat of your pants” movement, but we’ve found that there are a number of similarities and benefits by having a well-defined agreement that clearly articulates the terms of involvement.

The whole point of a contract is that it encompasses the expectations and commitments of those who enter into it.

So, when you think about it, the very same principles of a church with regard to membership and practical strategy, in addition to the best interest of the members to the church are very similar to the investment that each party makes in a contract. A commitment to a relationship (of each party) of trust and responsibility requires communication.

In the case of Prattville Community Church, the church’s involvement in the community is entrenched in ownership of what they are a part of, and that clarity has come from individuals committing to being a part of something in a structured way. When working together towards a common goal, like building a church from the ground up, the commitment includes all individual involved committing to the responsibilities of seeing that goal to fruition.

Spiritual commitments are very similar.

You know what you’re getting into when you enter a legal agreement, and you know what you’re signing up for. There is no mystery about your rights and responsibilities. When you enter an agreement, you have the opportunity to evaluate what is most important to you, and then proceed to make them clear in an agreement.

The same things applies to your spiritual decisions.

In our church’s case, the goal is to build, grow and invest in the community, and the individual members of the church, to ensure that the goodness cultivated by each individual’s energy is captured to provide the best possible return on the collective investment.

In the case of Prattville Community Church, that is the work they have been doing and their strategy to make the greatest impact possible.

Our church’s commitment to these structured congregational agreements has provided an opportunity to share the spiritual truths of understanding covenant and growing together in community without the “one shoe fits all” mentality that has been so characteristic of today’s church experience because it encompasses each in the individual community members unique gift.

I think it’s interesting that we close our membership class with the example of a contract. The reason is that we want everyone to understand the commitment they’re making when they join Prattville Community Church. It is the same commitment they make to their spouse when they say “I do” at a wedding, and it should be held in the same light.

Those statements, that I do, those are contracts, and they are a significant part of our physical and spiritual development. The verbal promises we make to be a part of the church are just as much of a contract (and spiritual commitment) as the aia agreement between owner and contractor is for the contract’s signatories.

I can only imagine how amazing it would be to be a part of a growing church that helped people understand the significance of the “contracts” they were entering into when they committed to be a part of a fellowship. That’s part of why I hope and pray that Prattville Community Church will continue to grow and learn from our legal agreements about how to manage the excitement of growth while maintaining a level of product and experience that brings honor and glory to God.

There’s a mutual benefit for the individuals in the agreement when they are held to the highest level of excellence, and it doesn’t diminish the promises that you made when you committed to see the agreement through.

Let’s hope that Prattville Community Church continues to thrive and provide a place where people can be a part of a fellowship of believers that understands the significance of agreements and allows for clarity that provides for spiritual growth and community satisfaction.