The word commitment is everywhere. Commitments a dime a dozen. We commit to meet for lunch, but if something comes up, it’s no big deal to cancel out. We commit to exercise and we don’t. We commit to eating better . . . and we don’t. We commit to all kinds of stuff that we don’t do. One of the frustrations I’ve had with small groups over the years is the lack of commitment. Not only will people not come when there’s any amount of resistance, they rarely do any outside prep to make the sessions more meaningful. And it hasn’t been just my groups . . . I hear it repeatedly from folks at my church and others.

The word contract carries a little more weight. It’s a business term that communicates the terms of an agreement including what happens when someone breaches or fails to live up to the terms of the deal. Binding contracts require an exchange of ‘consideration’ (e.g., money) and usually spell out consequences for failing to perform. It’s obvious why people would choose a commitment over a contract. Less engagement, lighter consequences and a lower level of obligation involved. And when a contract is either fulfilled or broken, it’s over and done.

That brings us to the word covenant . . . “a formal, solemn, and binding agreement.” Unlike present-day contracts, covenants carry no expiration date and obligation doesn’t go away even if there’s a breech. While a contract is enforced by the government; a covenant is regulated by God. Unlike a contract that involves the exchange of property or actions; a covenant binds two parties together personally. Now understand, the Radical Mentoring Covenant has nothing to do with theology, denomination or otherwise. When groups sign the RM Covenant, they’re making a commitment to each other. They’re signing up for equal sacrifice. Equal transparency. Equal inconvenience. Equal effort to do the assignments, share our hearts, and pursue the best version of themselves.