Covenant of Personal Ethics

Pathway Community Church

FOR THOSE SERVING THE LORD THROUGH THE MINISTRIES OF PATHWAY COMMUNITY CHURCH

I believe that I have been equipped by Jesus Christ to serve Him and His Church, and am presently serving the Lord through the ministries of the Pathway Community Church. According to Scripture, those in leadership within the Church must live a life that is above reproach and meet the qualifications for such an office as outlined in the Word of God. I am committed to living my life under the Lordship of Christ, recognizing my responsibility to set an example of a lifestyle that is consistent with Scripture and sensitive to cultural dynamics.

I believe that God calls all believers to be people of integrity, that He enables us to live for Him by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and that He extends grace in our weaknesses. Therefore, by God's grace and in complete dependence upon Him, I enter into this Covenant of Personal Ethics as a guideline for my life as I serve Him. I enter into this covenant with my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Pathway Community Church and with those whom I serve.

1. Personal & Spiritual Life

I understand that God has called me to a life of righteousness, godliness and growth in Christ-like character. In order to be what He wants me to be I accept the responsibility of exercising the spiritual disciplines necessary for growth, yielding every area of my life to the control of the Holy Spirit. As I bring my mind under His control, I will choose to fill it only with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. I will deal with sin by honest confession to God and those who have been affected by it. Fellowship with others is essential to growth, so I will avail myself of opportunities to be encouraged, instructed and built up by others in the things of the Lord. As a whole person, I will seek to keep physically, emotionally and mentally healthy and will refrain from the abuse of alcohol, drugs or any other habit that would harm my ability to do all I do for the glory of God.

2. Family Life

I understand that my first responsibility before God is to love and care for the family He has entrusted to my care. I will be faithful to my spouse, guarding our relationship, investing in it and working humbly together to keep it healthy, growing and honouring to the Lord. The responsibility to love my children practically and to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord is a great privilege and among my highest callings. As I plan and maintain my schedule, I will seek to keep my family as an important priority, and model for them by my attitudes, words and actions, a healthy and positive view of the Church.

3. Finances

I believe that God is the provider and owner of all things and calls me to handle what He has put in my hands faithfully as a steward. As He provides, I will be content as I live within my means. Although unforeseen circumstances may arise, I understand that my goal must be to so order my affairs that others can rely on me to meet my financial obligations and demonstrate obedience to Biblical principles of Christian stewardship. I will demonstrate wisdom and discretion in handling financial matters with integrity and will avoid any financial or business arrangements that would deter me from being effective in fulfilling my ministry.

4. Sexual Life

God calls his people to live lives of sexual purity and commitment in which sexual intimacy is practiced only within the context of a marriage between a man and a woman. Out of respect for the obligation to live a life of sexual integrity as a model for my children, my spouse and my church, I will refrain from any pre-marital and extra-marital relationships as well as homosexual activities. Recognizing the danger of impure thoughts, I will avoid any sexually oriented, pornographic or any other material that could tempt me to further sin. I choose to treat others with respect and will not be involved in sexual abuse, harassment or assault of any kind, and accept my deep obligation to avoid acting in such a way that might tempt others to sexual sin.

I will respect my relationship to the Pathway Community Church and will seek to support it through prayer, participation and promotion, always working in harmony with its doctrines, aims and objectives.

CONCLUSION & ACCEPTNANCE

CHOOSE EITHER A OR B BELOW

A. ACCEPTANCE WITHOUT RESERVATION

It is my desire to live according to this Covenant of Personal and Professional Ethics, and I willingly and voluntarily agree that it shall be a condition of my credentialing with the Pathway Community Church. I want those whom I serve in ministry to be aware of this Covenant. Because I am seeking with God's help to live a life befitting a servant of Jesus Christ, I desire that the Ministerial Standing Committee, graciously encourage me by exhortation and if necessary, loving discipline with a heart to restore.

B. ACCEPTANCE WITH RESERVATION

It is my desire to live according to this Covenant of Personal and Professional Ethics, and I willingly and voluntarily agree that it shall be a condition of my credentialing with the Pathway Community Church. I want those whom I serve in ministry to be aware of this Covenant. Because I am seeking with God's help to live a life befitting a servant of Jesus Christ, I desire that the Ministerial Standing Committee, graciously encourage me by exhortation and if necessary, loving discipline with a heart to restore.