The Code of Ethics Statement for Credentialed Members of Life Church International
Having accepted God’s call to leadership in a Life Church International church, I covenant with God to serve Christ and the Church by God’s grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, to deepen my obedience to the two great commandments; to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love my neighbour as Christ love us.
In affirmation of this commitment, I will abide by the Code of Ethics of Life Church International, and I will faithfully support its purposes and ideals. As further affirmation of my commitment, I covenant with my colleagues in ministry that we will hold one another accountable for fulfilment of all the public actions set forth in our Code of Ethics.
I will hold in trust the values of Life Church International; I will not accept a position in the Life Church International family unless I am in agreement with those values; nor will I use my influence to alienate my church or any part thereof from its relationship and support of the Life Church International family. If my convictions change, I will resign from my position.
I will respect and recognise the variety of ministries among my colleagues, and other Christians.
I will seek to support all colleagues in ministry by building constructive relationships wherever I serve, both with the leadership team where I work and with colleagues in neighbouring churches.
I will advocate adequate compensation for my profession. I will help church members and colleagues to understand that leaders should not expect or require fees for services from members they serve, when these members are helping pay their salaries.
I will not seek personal favours or discounts on the basis of my leadership position.
I will maintain a disciplined lifestyle in such ways as keeping times of prayer and devotion, endeavouring to maintain wholesome family relationships, sexual integrity, financial responsibility, and regularly engaging in educational and recreational activities for professional and personal development. I will seek to maintain good health habits.
I will recognise my primary obligation to the church or ministry to which I have been called, and will accept added responsibility only if it does not detrimentally affect that ministry.
I will only accept additional responsibility after consultation with the leadership team of the church family that I serve.
I will personally and publicly support my colleagues who experience discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, age, marital status, national origin, physical impairment or disability.
I will not proselytise from other Christian churches.
I will, upon my resignation or retirement serve in the church only on the instruction of the new leader and will not make professional contacts in the field of another church leader without his/her request and/or consent.
I will hold in confidence and treat as confidential communication any information provided to me with the expectation of privacy. I will not disclose such information in private or public except when, in my practice of ministry, I am convinced that the sanctity of confidentiality is outweighed by my well-founded belief that life-threatening or substantial harm will be caused.
I will not use my ministerial status, position or authority knowingly to abuse, misguide, negatively influence, manipulate or take advantage of anyone, especially children.
I will report all instances of abuse as required by law to the appropriate agency. In any situation involving persons working in Life Church International, I will also report the circumstances to the appropriate Regional or International Leader.
I will follow the “Protocol for a Church leaving Life Church International” found on the website in “Guidelines for Churches” if the church I am leading is considering leaving Life Church International.
I will show my personal love for God as revealed in Jesus Christ in my life and ministry, as I strive together with my colleagues to preserve the dignity, maintain the discipline and promote the integrity of the vocation to which I have been called.
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