Church covenants arose during the Protestant Reformation, specifically within the Puritan and Separatist movements of the 16th and 17th centuries. There wasn't a single moment of establishment, but rather a gradual development. However, some key events and influences contributed to its emergence:
* 16th Century: Early Anabaptist groups practiced a form of covenant theology, emphasizing a voluntary agreement among believers.
* Late 16th and Early 17th Centuries: English Separatists, who believed the Church of England was irredeemably corrupt, began forming their own independent congregations. They often created written covenants to define their shared beliefs, practices, and commitments to one another.
* 1620s-1640s: Puritan settlers in New England adopted and refined the church covenant tradition. It became a central feature of congregational church governance in the colonies.
While there is no single date of establishment, the practice of using church covenants gained significant momentum in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, particularly among Separatist and Puritan congregations in England and New England.