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Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences

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Gilbert Rendle of the Alban Institute presents a book NOT analyzing and evaluating loose behavioral agreements among congregation members, but rather writes a book advocating the establishment and use of written codes of conduct within the local congregation.

Rendle does not come to this conclusion lightly. He begins his book with a historical analysis of our shifting Western culture (why is it that our culture is so radically different from that of the 1950s and 60s and even the 1980s?), and shows that such changes and trends are cyclical. Therefore, we need not be overly alarmed by the current emphasis on individual rights, litigiousness, and blatant rudeness in society-the church as seen it all before. Nevertheless, the church does need to be concerned as the existence of these cultural traits within a congregation can be quite harmful. While pastors and lay leaders within congregations can do little to change the cultural trends in Western culture at large, they can make strides to change the congregation's culture (composed of those of a Western culture) through behavioral covenants.

Written statements of behavioral guidelines that congregational members contribute to (through their development), embrace, and actively strive to follow will do much to a) change the culture of both church leadership and the congregation at large and b) prepare the congregation for future (inevitable) conflict-both major and minor.

Rendle concludes "Behavioral Covenants in Congregations" by present a practical "how to" and "why" for the establishment of a behavioral covenant. It is both highly adaptable to many diverse faith traditions (giving options that reflect each congregation's unique traditions and spirituality) and also highly practical (easily usable as is). These resources include four meeting agendas of varying time-lengths and reproducible handouts.

Overall, the book is well thought out and well presented. Its ready-to-use nature and its thought-provoking analysis of social trends are especially appreciated. However, I walk away from the book still wondering how useful a formalized behavioral covenant would be. How does one avoid making it just another set of laws for people to beat one another over the head with? How are behavioral covenants superior to a strong emphasis/focus on Scriptural passage like 1 John, Matthew 18, or 1 Corinthians 13?

In sum, "Behavioral Covenants in Congregations" is recommended for pastors and lay leaders who find themselves in increasingly conflicted congregations. It is also recommended for pastors who may lack certain skills in leadership or personal charisma as they might lead a congregation via these more formalized means.