New Covenant Community Church (N3C) is located in the South Jersey community of Audubon. It is a fairly urban area, more of an extension of Philadelphia than a community unto itself. The area is made up of numerous small communities, one blending into another. Usually, you can only tell that you have gone from one township into another by the change of color of the street name signs at the corners. N3C draws people from many of these surrounding communities. Some travel quite a distance, other walk to church. Philly Cheese Steaks and the locally famous “Panzarotti” are the treats that keep us well-fed and robust! N3C is a church with a history and a heritage.

The church, now almost 26 years old, was first pastored by Pastor Elder John Megaw. John was the pastor for 18 years, and with his wife Eileen, did a wonderful job in laying a foundation upon which those of us who follow can build. Under John’s leadership, in 1989, the church affiliated with Elim Fellowship. John was followed by Pastor Tony Martorana, who with his wife Susan, added to the rich heritage of this family of believers for nearly seven years. My wife Judy and I were blessed to be called to pastor here in August 2004, all the way from Georgia. Being the new pastor, this is a time of transition for everyone, but it has been a joyful transition.

The Lord has blessed us, fitting us into the body, connecting us to the folks, and the folks to us. Churches, like all growing things, go through seasons. There are seasons of seedtime and seasons of harvest. We have been experiencing the beginnings of the latter. People have come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit has been gracious to fill, and keep filling us. The sanctuary is filling up, and it seems as though two services will soon be inevitable. The sanctuary is not large. It can only seat about 125 comfortably, but seeing it fill up is a joyful encouragement. Admittedly, there is a reluctance to go to two services, as a certain intimacy is often lost with that change. We are praying through some solutions to this dilemma, and trust that we can grow in numbers and grow in relationship. It is not one or the other, but both at the same time. I believe that a church is meant to function as each member does its part. At this time N3C is in a time of discovery. We are discovering our personal gifts, and learning how to function in them.

We are discovering who God is putting among us, and making room for them to grow and develop in their gifts. This is both a challenge and a joy. Growth means change. Change means challenge. Right now, I would have to describe the emphasis of our church as one of disciplining and coordinating. According to Ephesians 4:11-16, the church, under God’s appointed leadership, is to grow in faith and doctrine, grow in relationship and unity, and grow in coordinated function. The teachers need to teach. The servants must help. Givers give and administrators organize. The body is not one member, but many, placed in as it pleases Him. N3C has four wonderful elders, each with a precious God-loving wife. This is a good team.

Ps 133 speaks of unity and anointing. The anointing flows from the head down. If the leadership is not in unity, the church will reflect that and be lacking anointing and direction. That, bless God, is not our problem! We must make effort to guard the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace, but we all recognize that God has established that here among us. We have the same difficulties and challenges as any other church: Being wise is not always easy when you’re full of vision and exuberance. But, we are confident that God will provide for us all that we need, when we need it, to do what He wants us to do, when He wants it done!

Pastor Tom Brazell