Precept Ministries International s Doctrinal Statement

Transcription

1 Precept Ministries International s Doctrinal Statement PMI S DOCTRINAL STATEMENT SUMMARIZES BIBLICAL TRUTH THAT HISTORICALLY AND DOCTRINALLY HAS BEEN REGARDED AS ESSENTIAL TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. PMI REQUIRES ALL PMI EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AND BOARD MEMBERS TO BE IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THIS STATEMENT. THE SCRIPTURES We believe (a) in the plenary verbal inspiration of the Word of God, and (b) that both the Old and New Testaments are inerrant in the original writings and are the supreme and final authority for faith and life. THE GODHEAD We believe that the Godhead exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three Persons are one God having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST We believe in (a) His eternal existence as God, (b) His Incarnation and Virgin Birth, (c) His death on the cross as the substitutionary atonement for sin, (d) His literal, bodily resurrection from the dead, (e) His present ministry of intercession in heaven, and (f) His personal, future return to earth. THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, convicts men of sin, regenerates, baptizes, indwells, seals, and sets apart believers unto a holy life; that He keeps and empowers believers day by day; and that He is the Teacher of the Word of God and the Guide for daily living. MAN We believe that (a) man was created innocent and pure, and (b) Adam fell through the sin of disobedience. Therefore, (c) all men are corrupted in body, soul, and spirit; and (d) all men need redemption.

2 SALVATION We believe that (a) salvation is by grace, a free gift of God apart from works, (b) salvation involves repentance, a change of mind in respect to God and thus turning from one's own way to God's way, (c) salvation is through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (d) all who receive Jesus Christ are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become the children of God, and (e) true salvation will be manifested by a changed life. THE FUTURE We believe (a) in the personal, visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth, (b) in the bodily resurrection of the just to the eternal abode in the glory of God s presence, and (c) in the bodily resurrection of the unjust to judgment and everlasting punishment in the lake of fire. 030 Standards of Christian Ethics and Business Conduct The purpose of this policy is to guide employees and directors in how to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the religious beliefs and biblical standards of Precept Ministries International (PMI) The conduct of employees and directors should uphold PMI s Core Values (Policy 040) and PMI s Business Philosophy and Mission Statement (Policy 060); enhance PMI s reputation as a Christian organization; benefit the organization; and respect others PMI acknowledges that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24 NASB). PMI is not looking for "perfect" people, but repentant followers of Jesus. Open, ongoing, unrepentant sin is not acceptable at PMI. We seek to value and honor our staff and abide by biblically sound standards and expectations that seek to bring honor to God and one another. We desire to model Christlike behavior, at and away from work, so others will be drawn to placing their personal faith in Him and following His compassionate Lordship An effective Christian witness is expressed in the conduct of staff -- and how we share and support PMI s Doctrinal Statement. Acknowledging agreement with PMI s Doctrinal Statement, new PMI employees are required to sign the PMI Doctrinal Statement. PMI seeks to be an organization that is Christian in every sense of the word; therefore, all staff represent PMI and, more importantly, Jesus Christ, in their work as well as in their private lives.

3 030.4 This policy provides guidelines for appropriate behavior for all employees, interns, volunteers, and board members, within and outside the workplace. PMI seeks to honor staff members privacy and personal convictions. However, behavior (whether in private or at work) that contradicts the profession of Christian commitment may require the organization to counsel and to take disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment Ethical Guidelines: PMI recognizes that singling out certain behaviors as unacceptable requires drawing a line based on the determination of whether this particular behavior reflects poorly on the name of Christ or PMI's reputation, detracts from PMI s core mission, compromises the safety of oneself or others, is disruptive in the workplace, or is likely to be offensive to PMI donors and/or constituents. It is impossible for PMI to identify every form of behavior that we understand the Bible defines as acceptable and unacceptable to God. Therefore, we provide the following biblical guidelines: 030.5a Does this behavior, wherever engaged in, glorify God? Does it cause others to praise our Heavenly Father? Is it worthy of Jesus Christ? Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16 NASB). For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:9-12 NASB). Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 NASB). that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth (Ephesians 4:22-24 NASB). For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother s womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them (Psalm 139:13-16 NASB). Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5 NASB). Did not He who made me in the womb make him, and the same one fashion us in the womb? (Job 31:15 NASB). Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalm 127:3 NASB).

4 You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 NASB) b Does it build up other Christians and encourage love and good deeds? Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10:23-25 NASB). I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love (Ephesians 4:1-3, NASB). But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks (Ephesians 5:3-4 NASB). And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:15-17 NASB) c Is it loving? A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35 NASB). Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB). For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13 NASB) d Does it advance truth and truthfulness? And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and

5 yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth (1 John 1:5-7; 3:18 NASB). Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another (Ephesians 4:25 NASB). Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB) e Is it good stewardship, i.e., a responsible way to use God-given time, talent and resources? As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10 NASB). For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 NASB). Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve (Colossians 3:23-24 NASB) f Is this behavior consistent with the teachings of scripture? Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27 NASB). For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age (Titus 2:11-12 NASB). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25 NASB). Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:13-14 NASB). And He answered and said, Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? (Matthew 19:4-5 NASB). For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down (Proverbs 26:20 NASB).

6 Do all things without grumbling or disputing. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things (Philippians 2:14; 4:8 NASB). Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food; but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord is for the body. But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 12-13, NASB). You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination (Leviticus 18:22 NASB). If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act (Leviticus 20:13a NASB). "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because... even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (Romans 1:18, 21, 24-28, 32 NASB). But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching (1 Timothy 1:8-10 NASB) g Behave at work and outside of work, publicly and privately, in an ethical, honest, and trustworthy manner, always consistent with our Christian commitment and witness h Adhere to applicable laws and PMI policies.

7 030.5i Treat others with respect, dignity, and impartiality j Adhere to safety, security, and health rules k Properly manage and use PMI assets, funds, equipment, and property appropriately l Wear appropriate attire that honors the Lord and respects constituents and fellow employees PMI reserves all rights to change, delete, amend or further explain this policy at any time. PMI will implement this policy in its sole, good-faith discretion, seeking to obey the law, protect the innocent, and pursue fairness. The Human Resources Department as directed by the Chief Operating Officer has the responsibility of maintaining this written policy. 040 Precept Ministries International Core Values We value: The Bible - We hold to the inerrant, infallible Word of God as the plumb line for all we do and are as an organization. Integrity and character - We strive to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and to please the Lord in all respects being trustworthy, honest, and transparent in all of our dealings. People - We strive to treat all people staff, co-laborers, and constituents with the utmost respect. We desire to love them as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ and to help them achieve their greatest potential by proper use of their talents and gifts. Family - We believe each generation needs to know and live by the Word of God. Therefore, we seek to equip each member of the family in their God-given role. The church - We support the local church as the God-ordained vehicle for propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Stewardship - We seek to be faithful and transparent stewards of all of our God-given resources. Excellence - We strive for excellence without extravagance in every area of our work and ministry. Innovation - We encourage creative thinking at every level of our organization and ministry. Prayer - We are in total dependence on God, so we seek His wisdom, direction, and provision through both corporate and personal prayer.

8 060 Precept Ministries International Business Philosophy & Mission Statement The mission of Precept Ministries International is: Establishing People in God s Word If we are successful in fulfilling that mission, it will result in people who are: living as exemplary followers of Jesus Christ studying the Bible inductively, viewing the world biblically, making disciples intentionally, and serving the church faithfully in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is our vision. We focus our efforts on three areas: Helping people Discover the Inductive Bible Study Method; Engaging people in group Bible study so they can Go Deeper with others; Enabling people to use their gifts to expand the kingdom by Disciple-making. Everything we do as an organization must relate to one of those ministry efforts. The business philosophy of Precept Ministries International includes: You we believe that the people God has called to join us in this ministry are our most valuable resource. We also believe that management has the responsibility to nurture and promote both professional and spiritual growth among the employees of Precept Ministries International. Quality Products and Services we strive to be the best provider of the highest quality inductive Bible study products and services. Constituent Satisfaction we are dedicated to meeting the needs of those who choose to do business with us. We recognize that being responsive, flexible, accurate, and gracious in dealing with our customers will add value to all of our business and ministry relationships. Growth we expect and seek change and will continually strive to improve all aspects of our ministry, products and services. We encourage initiative in our employees for personal and ministry betterment. Trust and Respect we operate in an environment of mutual trust and respect, and we encourage open and honest communication. Superior Performance we recognize that highly competent and motivated people are our most important resource. We encourage and expect employees to excel.

9 Integrity we strive to be known as a company that encourages and maintains high standards of candor, honesty, ethics and good judgment. We believe God has given us clear behavioral standards in the Bible that we are to live and work by. Workplace we work to provide and maintain a comfortable work environment that assures the safety of our people and physical assets within a supportive environment of mutual respect. The following pages contain a general overview of procedures and policies established for the employees of Precept Ministries International, as well as an explanation of certain benefits provided with this employment. Our desire is that you see your employment as not only a vocation but also a calling to serve the Lord in excellence. We hope you will find joy in your work and friendship among your coworkers. It is important that you read, understand, and become familiar with the handbook and comply with the standards that have been established. Please talk with the Human Resources Office if you have any questions or need additional information. 070 Protocol Our desire and goal at Precept Ministries International is to communicate accurately, clearly, effectively, and appropriately with constituents as well as with staff and volunteers. We communicate most effectively when we follow proper protocol. Examples of protocol can be seen all around. Saluting in the military is one example of protocol; it is one of the most common and basic forms of military courtesy. It is basically an exchange of greetings between military and/or uniformed services personnel. Following protocol in the military can be a matter of life and death, and it is also important in ministry and business. Protocol is steeped in biblical principles and it instills accountability and responsibility. Protocol demonstrates respect and sensitivity for others. It builds trust and provides confidence and understanding, allowing individuals to manage time and projects responsibly. Protocol helps prevent confusion, anxiety, worry, and misunderstanding. Protocol eliminates drama. What is the protocol of communication at PMI? Some examples are as follows: Always communicate with your immediate supervisor or manager. For example, if you are running late, your immediate supervisor should be the first notified. When information is needed from another department, it is always best to request the needs from the manager so that they get the people most appropriate to fill the need requested. However, if you an employee in a different department requesting help, copy the manager of that department so they can manage the situation if needed. If you have a question or concern, don t jump to conclusions and don t spread rumor or speculation. Ask your supervisor for clarification. Following protocol with all communication at PMI helps build trust and understanding.