VISION of Heritage Covenant Church

Heritage Covenant Church: Building a God-Glorifying Community

Vision Overview

Heritage Covenant Church exists to glorify God by creating a vibrant, Reformed community transformed by the faithful administration of the Means of Grace: the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer. Our vision is rooted in the rich heritage of Reformed theology, aiming to cultivate discipleship, strengthen families in covenant faithfulness, and extend hospitality and mission into every sphere of life. This is not merely about forming a congregation—it’s about building a lasting heritage of faith that impacts generations.

A Church Rooted in the Means of Grace

At the heart of Heritage Covenant Church lies a commitment to the Means of Grace—preaching, sacraments, and prayer—as God’s primary tools for building His people. John Calvin aptly described these as the “spiritual food by which God nourishes His flock.” Through faithful expository preaching, reverent administration of the sacraments, and fervent prayer, we seek to glorify God while conforming to the image of Christ.

These practices are not merely traditions; they are God’s ordained channels for transforming His people. Preaching convicts and comforts hearts through the gospel. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper visibly proclaim Christ’s finished work and nourish faith. Prayer connects believers to their Creator, aligning their hearts with His will.

In an age when man-made programs often replace God-ordained methods, Heritage Covenant Church remains steadfast in trusting these biblical practices to grow a gospel-centered community.

Transforming Homes Through Discipleship

We believe discipleship begins at home. Parents are called to train their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Joel Beeke reminds us, “Family worship is the backbone of a godly household.” To this end, our church equips families with tools for family worship, catechesis, and Christian education, fostering covenant faithfulness for generations.

Through family worship and the use of historic catechisms, such as the Heidelberg and Westminster Shorter Catechisms, we encourage parents to nurture their children in biblical truth. This practice roots the next generation in sound doctrine, ensuring a legacy of faith that withstands cultural drift.

Hospitality and Mutual Accountability

Hospitality is central to our vision, mirroring the early church’s example in Acts 2:42–47. Through “radically ordinary hospitality,” as Rosaria Butterfield calls it, we seek to create a community where believers live transparently, share generously, and grow together in Christ. Hospitality builds bridges for discipleship and evangelism, transforming strangers into friends and neighbors into family in Christ.

Mutual accountability further strengthens our church as a spiritual family. By speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24), we foster an environment where believers grow in holiness and reflect Christ’s love to the world.

Impacting Families, Vocations, and Communities

Heritage Covenant Church extends its vision beyond the sanctuary, equipping members to live missionally in every sphere of life. Abraham Kuyper’s declaration captures this well: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ... does not cry, ‘Mine!’”

Our members are encouraged to glorify God in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Whether through integrity in their vocations or intentional service to others, they bear witness to Christ’s Lordship in all of life.

Advancing God’s Kingdom Through Missions

Our commitment to missions encompasses both local and global outreach. Locally, we aim to reach North Spokane and the Inland Northwest by equipping members for evangelism and planting churches, beginning with Deer Park, WA. Globally, we partner with Reformed missionaries to proclaim Christ’s gospel and establish biblically faithful churches.

As John Calvin reminds us, “The expansion of the church is the great goal of God’s work in the world.” By participating in this mission, we trust in God’s promise to use His Word to transform lives and nations.

Faithfulness to God’s Word

Heritage Covenant Church is unwavering in its commitment to the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. Guided by the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and historic Reformed confessions, we embrace the Bible as God’s inspired Word, sufficient for all matters of faith and practice.

Creeds and confessions—such as the Apostles’ Creed, the Three Forms of Unity, and the Westminster Standards—serve as guardrails, anchoring us in the unchanging truth of Scripture. They also unite us with the broader church, providing clarity and stability in our doctrine and practice.

A Worship Philosophy Rooted in the Regulative Principle

Worship at Heritage Covenant Church is God-centered, marked by reverence, simplicity, and joy. We adhere to the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW), affirming that worship must include only what Scripture commands, such as the reading of Scripture, prayer, singing Psalms and hymns, preaching, and the sacraments.

Our liturgical rhythm reflects the biblical order of worship: a call to worship, confession, assurance of pardon, Scripture reading, expository preaching, sacraments, and a benediction. This structure ensures that worship exalts God’s majesty while nurturing believers in faith and holiness.

Intergenerational Inclusion

At Heritage Covenant Church, we affirm the biblical principle of intergenerational worship, where children and adults gather as a covenant family before God. Deuteronomy 31:12 commands, “Assemble the people—men, women, and little ones.” By worshiping together, we strengthen family bonds and prepare the next generation to take their place in the church.

Recognizing the practical needs of young families, we offer nursery support and age-appropriate Sunday school classes. However, our primary focus remains on equipping parents to disciple their children in the context of gathered worship.

Christian Education: Equipping the Next Generation

Christian education is integral to our vision for discipleship. Through Bible studies, Sunday school, and partnerships with Christian schools and homeschool families, we aim to equip believers with a biblical worldview. John Calvin emphasized, “The church of God will never preserve itself without a nursery, in which children are educated from an early age.”

By integrating faith and learning, we prepare children to engage the world thoughtfully and faithfully, living as witnesses to Christ in every sphere.

Leadership Development

Heritage Covenant Church is led by a plurality of elders, reflecting the New Testament model of shared shepherding authority. This structure prevents one-man domination and fosters collaborative leadership.

Leadership training is central to our vision, equipping elders, deacons, and ministry leaders with theological and practical skills. This investment ensures that the church remains biblically faithful and well-led for generations to come.

Planning Phases for Church Planting

Heritage Covenant Church’s journey toward a Fall 2027 launch is organized into four phases:

1. Gathering Interest and Vision Casting (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026) Building relationships and sharing the church’s mission through informal gatherings and interest meetings.

2. Aligning Theology & Distinctives (Spring 2026 – Fall 2026) Establishing a unified theological foundation through focused studies on Reformed doctrines.

3. Confirming Core Team & Defining Roles (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027) Solidifying the founding team and providing leadership training for key ministry roles.

4. Practical and Legal Planning (Spring 2027 – Fall 2027) Securing a meeting location, completing legal requirements, and hosting pre-launch events.

Conclusion

Heritage Covenant Church seeks to glorify God by building a covenant community rooted in Reformed theology and committed to gospel-centered worship, discipleship, and mission. Through the Means of Grace, we aim to nurture faith, strengthen families, and impact our community for Christ. By God’s grace, we trust that this church will stand as a beacon of His glory, proclaiming His unchanging truth and advancing His kingdom for generations to come.