CHRISTIAN VILLAGES

Covenant Fellowship Agreement

(Private Religious Membership Association — PMA)

Opening Declaration

I hereby apply for and accept membership into the Christian Villages Covenant Fellowship (hereinafter “Fellowship” or “Association”), a private, faith-based religious membership association (PMA) operating under the spiritual covering of Christian Villages Fellowship (Church).

By entering this agreement, I voluntarily choose to become a Member and agree to walk in alignment with its mission, values, and covenant life.

Mission Statement

Christian Villages exists to restore biblical community by helping believers live as the Body of Christ through shared life, family, stewardship, and Kingdom purpose.

Article I — Nature of the Fellowship

This Association is:

• A private religious fellowship of believers

• A voluntary covenant community Operating under the authority of Jesus Christ and Scripture

This Association is not:

• A public institution

• A business

• A service provider

All participation occurs privately among Members.

Article II — Relationship to the Church

This Fellowship operates under the spiritual covering of:

Christian Villages Fellowship (Church)

• The Church provides:

○ Doctrine

○ Spiritual authority

○ Teaching and ministry

• The Fellowship provides:

○ Relational structure

○ Covenant alignment

○ Lived community expression

Article III — Private Domain & Jurisdiction

This Fellowship operates strictly within the private domain as a faith-based

religious association.

All interactions, communications, activities, and relationships occur:

• Between private Members

• Within a closed, non-public environment

By joining, Members:

• Acknowledge this is not a public offering

• Agree that all matters are governed within the private jurisdiction of the Fellowship

Article IV — Membership

Membership is granted by application and discernment.

By becoming a Member, I agree to:

• Acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord

• Align with the mission and values

• Walk in humility, honor, and love

• Participate as a contributor, not a consumer

• Pursue unity, reconciliation, and growth

Article V — Covenant Commitment

By entering this Fellowship, I acknowledge:

• My participation is voluntary

• I accept full responsibility for my decisions and outcomes

• This is a covenant relationship, not convenience

• This is not a program, service, or guaranteed result

Article VI — Non-Commercial Understanding

Members explicitly acknowledge:

• They are not purchasing goods or services

• No commercial relationship is created

• All contributions are:

○ Voluntary

○ Mission-based

○ Non-transactional

Article VII — Contributions & Participation

Members commit to:

• Contribute through time, presence, skill, and/or resources

• Engage actively in community life

• Uphold honor, humility, and love

Members understand:

• Community requires responsibility

• Growth requires accountability

• Relationships require maturity

Article VIII — Activities

The Fellowship may include:

• Worship, teaching, and discipleship

• Retreats, gatherings, and shared experiences

• Land stewardship and village development

• Skill-sharing and collaborative living

All activities are conducted privately among Members.

Article IX — Assumption of Risk & Liability Waiver

Member acknowledges that participation—including but not limited to:

• Gatherings

• Travel

• Land use

• Construction

• Agriculture

• Communal living involves inherent risks.

Member:

• Voluntarily assumes all risks

• Releases the Fellowship, Church, leaders, and Members from:

○ All liability

○ Claims

○ Damages

○ Causes of action to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Article X — Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Members agree that:

1. All disputes will first be handled:

○ Directly between parties

○ According to biblical principles (Matthew 18)

2. If unresolved:

○ The matter will be submitted to binding faith-based arbitration

3. Members:

○ Waive the right to public litigation to the fullest extent permitted by law

○ Agree arbitration decisions are final and enforceable

Article XI — Intellectual Property

All teachings, frameworks, materials, and content shared within the Fellowship:

• Remain the intellectual property of the Church/Fellowship

• May not be reproduced, distributed, or used outside the Fellowship without written permission

Article XII — Land Use & Property Disclaimer

Participation in land-based communities or village initiatives:

• Does not grant ownership rights, tenancy rights, or legal interest

• Unless defined in a separate written agreement

All land arrangements are governed by separate legal structures.

Article XIII — Conduct, Alignment & Discipline

Members agree to:

• Walk in alignment with Christ-centered values

• Pursue unity and reconciliation

Leadership may:

• Provide correction and accountability

• Protect the integrity of the Fellowship

Article XIV — Membership Removal

Membership may be:

• Revoked at any time

• With or without cause

• At the sole discretion of leadership for the protection of:

○ Unity

○ Integrity

○ Mission

Article XV — Non-Disparagement

Members agree not to:

• Publicly or privately defame

• Disparage

• Misrepresent the Fellowship, its leaders, or its Members.

Article XVI — Voluntary Assumption & Release

Member affirms:

• Participation is fully voluntary

• They assume all risks

• They release all claims to the fullest extent permitted by law

Article XVII — Final Declaration

By joining this Fellowship, I declare:I desire to live in alignment with Christ

● I choose covenant over isolation

● I commit to growth, contribution, and integrity

● I enter this Fellowship in good faith

Member Acknowledgment

By signing below (physically or digitally), I affirm that:

• I have read and understood this agreement in full

• I enter voluntarily and without coercion

• I agree to all terms and conditions