Student Handbook
2023–2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Information Directory . ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Philosophy, Mission, and Objectives . .......................................................................................................................... 4
Code of Honor I. Statement of Faith...................................................................................................................................................5 II. Standard of Conduct...............................................................................................................................................6 III. Grievance Policy......................................................................................................................................................8 IV. Confidentiality of Student Records (FERPA).............................................................................................................8 V. Title IX Policy...........................................................................................................................................................8 VI. Equal Employment Policy........................................................................................................................................8 VII. Addendum..............................................................................................................................................................8 Section One: Student Life I. Student Life Purpose and Structure.......................................................................................................................10 II. Student Life Core Values.......................................................................................................................................10 III. Student Life Philosophy.........................................................................................................................................12 IV. Spiritual Life...........................................................................................................................................................13 V. Discipleship Program.............................................................................................................................................14 VI. Relationships.........................................................................................................................................................14 VII. Official School Breaks............................................................................................................................................15 VIII. Student Council Overview.....................................................................................................................................16 IX. Campus Life.......................................................................................................................................................... 16 X. Dress and Appearance..........................................................................................................................................20 XI. Discipline...............................................................................................................................................................21 XII. Computer Usage Policies......................................................................................................................................24 XIII. Campus Security and Emergency Procedures.......................................................................................................24 XIV. Health Center........................................................................................................................................................ 24 XV. General Guidelines................................................................................................................................................ 24 XVI. Student Awards..................................................................................................................................................... 27 Section Two: Academic I. Classroom Conduct..............................................................................................................................................30 II. Academic Information............................................................................................................................................31 III. Academic Standings.............................................................................................................................................33 IV. Graduation Requirements......................................................................................................................................34 V. Student Study Skills Assistance.............................................................................................................................35 VI. Standards of Academic Progress..........................................................................................................................35 VII. VA And Military Students.......................................................................................................................................37 Section Three: Ministry and Service Assignment I. Purpose of Ministries.............................................................................................................................................39 II. Ministry Department Vision Statement...................................................................................................................39 III. Objectives............................................................................................................................................................. 39 IV. Overview............................................................................................................................................................... 40 V. Ministries Available................................................................................................................................................42 VI. Service Assignments............................................................................................................................................. 44
Student Agreement ...................................................................................................................................................... 45
INFORMATION DIRECTORY • Bible Institute Switchboard: 518.494.1427. An automated attendant operates during off hours. • Regular office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. • All numbers, unless otherwise indicated, begin with 518.494.XXXX
ADMINISTRATION Executive Dean of Bible Institutes
Mr. Brian Baker Mrs. Jennah Skau Mr. Eric Messer Mr. Mark Strout Ms. Rebecca Berga Mr. Justin Lough
Page Ctr., Ext. 1532
Administrative Assistant
Ext. 1543
Vice President of Operations and Central Services Executive Dean & Professor, Global Campuses
Welcome Ctr., Ext. 1541
Ext. 1433 Ext. 1439
Alumni Engagement Director
Institutional Effectiveness Coordinator
Page Ctr., Ext. 1478
Operations General Manager
Ms. Samuelle Champion
Ext. 1578
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT Academic Dean Assistant to the Academic Dean
Mr. Todd Steltz Ms. Melissa Paris
Page Ctr., Ext. 1454 Page Ctr,. Ext 1432 Library, Ext. 1401 Page Ctr., Ext. 6207 Page Ctr., Ext. 6280 Page Ctr., Ext. 1479
Librarian
Ms. Susanna Swanson Mr. Jonathan Lough
Associate Professor and Bible Department Chair
Registrar & Veteran’s Affairs SCO
Mr. Dan Skau
Academic Office Assistant
Ms. Abby Hurley
STUDENT LIFE DEPARTMENT Dean of Students
Mr. Drew Burtis Mrs. Julia Lough
Page Ctr., Ext. 1540 Page Ctr., Ext. 1515 Page Ctr., Ext. 6341 Page Ctr., Ext. 1476
Administrative Assistant
Dean of Men
Mr. Justin Cousins Mrs. Karen W. Smith
Dean of Women
MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT Dean of Ministries
Mr. Jonathan Bubar Mrs. Caroline Tompkins
Ministries Ctr., Ext. 6232
Administrative Assistant Ministries Coordinator Ministries Coordinator
518.494.1521
Mr. Micah Melville Mr. Mark Bodlien Mr. Ethan Morin Mr. Jordan Ross Mr. Matt Layton Ms. Melody Parker Ms. Sadie Diaz Mr. Ryan Arnold
Ministries Ctr., Ext. 6289 Ministries Ctr., Ext. 6289
Assistant Ministries Coordinator Assistant Ministries Coordinator
Ext. 1321 Ext. 1576 Ext. 1474
Athletic Director Student Services
Ministries Ctr., Ext. 1521
Service Assignments
518.494.1452
Music Director
Music Bldg., Ext. 1418
ENROLLMENT AND FINANCIAL AID Dean of Enrollment
Mr. Brian Tanedo Mr. Alex Hackett
Enrollment Ctr., Ext. 1599 Enrollment Ctr., Ext. 6375
Director of Financial Aid
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BUSINESS OFFICE Director of Financial Services
Mr. Chris Tompkins Mr. Simon Hurley Mrs. Hannah Freeman
Welcome Ctr., Ext. 1438
Business Manager
Ext. 1489
Student Accounts Administrator
Enrollment Ctr., Ext. 1612
HEALTH AND SECURITY Health Center Front Desk
Mrs. Mary Steltz
Health/Security Office, Ext. 1600 Health/Security Office, Ext. 6202
Security
Student Accident Plan
518.494.6000
OTHER Café/Bookstore
Ms. Paige Willard
Bookstore, Ext. 1412 IT Department, Ext. 6265
Computer/Logos Help Desk
Mr. CT Newell
Kitchen
Ext. 1407
Director of Culinary Services Housekeeping/Lost and Found
Mr. Daryl Jackson Mrs. Evelyn Magoon
Kitchen, Ext. 1507
Housekeeping, Ext. 1488 Maintenance, Ext. 1474
Maintenance
Mr. Peter LaBarr Mr. Justin Lough Mrs. Julia Lough Mr. Joe Schenke Mr. John Collins
Title IX Coordinator Visitors (for students)
Page Ctr., Ext. 1478 Page Ctr., Ext. 1515
Director of Biblical Counseling
Ext. 1437
Director of Word of Life Youth Ministries
ACCREDITATION Word of Life Bible Institute is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) [15935 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551; Telephone: (434) 525-9539; e-mail: info@tracs.org], having been awarded Reaffirmation Ill of its Accredited Status as a Category I institution by the TRACS Accreditation Commission on April 25, 2022. This status is effective for a period of ten years. TRACS is recognized by the United States Department of Education (ED), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). ACCOMMODATIONS Requests for accommodations (special arrangements) or auxiliary aids for students with disabilities should be addressed to the Dean of Enrollment (Ext. 1599), who will work with the student to assess the need and facilitate the appropriate resource. HANDICAP ACCOMMODATIONS The Word of Life Bible Institute will work in conjunction with the appropriate local governmental agencies to ensure that public and residential buildings are in alignment with codes to meet the needs of the disabled. The Vice President of Operations and Central Services, in conjunction with the Dean of Students, will work to ensure that special accommodation needs are met for each individual.
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PHILOSOPHY, MISSION, AND OBJECTIVES
PHILOSOPHY Word of Life Bible Institute as an educational institution has developed its entire program around a particular philosophy of education. This philosophy of education is based on three key words: Know (Study), Grow (Life), and Show (Ministry). These three words characterize our approach to education. Believers are commanded to study the Word of God, accepting it as their foundation and authority. Since discipleship and character building are the responsibility of godly leadership, we need to build an institution that will educate students in biblical doctrine and conduct through the classroom and lifestyle of our staff. Our goal is to produce students who practice excellence in the Christian life, bringing glory to God.
This philosophy is based on the following principles:
1. We believe that the Bible is not only the foundation for morality, but it is also authoritative in every area that it addresses. It is, therefore, the beginning of wisdom and a prerequisite for any academic endeavor (2 Timothy 2:15). 2. We believe that any area of Bible study must be built on a proper relationship to Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). 3. We believe that intellectual knowledge is only a beginning step and that a student has not learned until he has put this knowledge into practice (2 Timothy 2:1-2). 4. We believe that character development is a legitimate concern of education (Colossians 1:9-11, 2:8-9; Titus 2:7-8). 5. We believe that staff and faculty are more than teachers. They are role models and, as such, must display Christian character and commitment before the student (Ezra 7:10; 1 Corinthians 4:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20).
6. We believe that doctrine is the foundation of all our endeavors (2 Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:1).
MISSION The mission of Word of Life Bible Institute is to educate each student within a rigorous academic and structured discipleship atmosphere preparing him or her to live a life of maximum effectiveness for the Lord.
INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES Word of Life Bible Institute seeks to produce students who:
1. Know – Cultivating an increasing knowledge of God and His Word through diligent and deliberate study. 2. Grow – Possessing a growing relationship with God through the practical application of biblical truth to daily life and participation in biblical community. 3. Show – Demonstrating a commitment and ability to model and share biblical truth and boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ.
4 PHILOSOPHY, MISSION, AND OBJECTIVES OF WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE
CODE OF HONOR
I. STATEMENT OF FAITH
1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired of God, and they are without error in the original writings, and they are the supreme and final authority for faith and life.
2. We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who is eternally existent in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ; His virgin birth; sinless life; His death to pay the penalty for our sins; His bodily resurrection; His exaltation to God’s right hand, and His personal, imminent, pretribulational and premillennial return.
4. We believe that all men have sinned, and, therefore, guilty before God and are under His condemnation.
5. We believe that all who by faith receive Jesus Christ are then born again of the Holy Spirit, therefore, children of God and eternally saved, and that the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer to enlighten, guide, and enable the believer in life, testimony, and service. We believe that God answers the prayers of His people and meets their needs according to His purpose.
6. We believe that God gives spiritual gifts to all believers for the building up of the Body of Christ. However, the miraculous sign-gifts of the Spirit, such as tongues and healings, were limited to the early church.
7. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in Glory, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost in hell.
8. We believe that all believers are called to a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices and alliances.
9. We believe that from the beginning with Adam and Eve, God ordained marriage as only between a man and a woman. All sexual activity outside of marriage, including homosexual practices, is in direct contradiction to God’s Word and His institution of the home. 10. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female for His glory. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God, and the rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of God’s decreed will and good plan for humanity and the individual.
5 PHILOSOPHY, MISSION, AND OBJECTIVES OF WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE
Historicity of Genesis Word of Life Bible Institute is committed to the historical and factual accuracy of the Book of Genesis. Therefore, we teach a recent creation of the entire universe and all forms of life in the six, 24-hour days of the Creation Week. We believe that Adam and Eve were the first man and woman and that all of mankind has descended from them and has inherited a sin nature from their fall into sin, resulting in a cursed creation. We believe in a personal Satan who led some of the angels to rebel, enticed Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and continues to oppose God’s program for human history. We believe in a worldwide flood which explains the disappearance of certain species recorded in the fossil record, the subsequent development of mankind from Noah, and the creation of language groups and nations from God’s intervention at the Tower of Babel. We believe that Satan’s attempt to overthrow God is doomed to fail and that the Lake of Fire has been prepared as a place of eternal conscious punishment for him, his demons, and all humans who reject Christ. II. STANDARD OF CONDUCT 1. Word of Life Fellowship, Inc., Including domestic and foreign affiliations under the Word of Life structure, is dedicated to the Lordship of Christ in all areas of life. The distinctives of Word of Life lay in its philosophy and goals. The Word of Life family is a community of a board of directors, staff members and students (hereafter referred to as “associates”). Each associate consequently bears certain responsibilities and obligations within the organization for the implementation of its philosophy and goals. In order that the organization functions efficiently and its goals be realized, it is necessary that there be a mutual commitment to a corpus of standards which involve the willing surrender of certain individual purposes and goals. 2. Word of Life follows specific biblical principles, which relate to Christian behavior. Therefore, Word of Life prohibits practices, which are clearly forbidden by the Word of God, such as drunkenness, sexual immorality, dishonesty, and the like (I Corinthians 6:9-20). Further, to expect associates to exemplify Christian love, consideration for the rights of others, honesty, and a high sense of Christian ethics is to expect only that which the Word of God teaches to be primary in the character of the Christian (Ephesians 4:24-5:8). 3. Word of Life is firmly committed to a literal interpretation of the Bible and rejects any attempt to “reinterpret” Scripture in light of “modern” moral or psychological theories. In the biblical account of creation, the family was the first societal institution ordained by God (Genesis 1:27, 2:18-22). Furthermore, Scripture plainly declares that the first two humans created by God were a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27, 2:18-22). God joined the man and woman in the holy rite of matrimony and commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28). Therefore, the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Romans 7:2, I Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians 5:22-23). 4. In both the Old and New Testaments, God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should take place outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Accordingly, all forms of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9, Leviticus 13:22, 18:1-30, Romans 1:26-29, I Corinthians 5:1, 6:9, I Thessalonians 4:1-8, Hebrews 13:4). Since Word of Life believes that all sexual activity outside of a marriage, including homosexual practices, are in direct opposition to God’s Word and constitute a direct contradiction to God’s institution of the home, Word of Life will not employ or continue to employ men or women who promote or participate in homosexual behavior or any other sexual activity outside of marriage. 5. Word of Life recognizes the principles of Christian liberty within the sphere of those things which are intrinsically innocent. However, Word of Life also recognizes that liberty needs to be restricted in certain instances. Scriptural precedent is found in Acts 15 and Romans 14, where certain practices inherently innocent were forbidden because they could do spiritual harm to other members of the Christian community.
6 PHILOSOPHY, MISSION, AND OBJECTIVES OF WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE
Verses for reference include: • I Corinthians 6:12 — Lawful, but not expedient (not profitable for our good)
• I Corinthians 10:23 — Lawful, but not edifying • I Corinthians 8:9 — Could be a stumbling block • Romans 1:32 — Christians are different, and by living like the world, we approve of it. There should be no pleasure in watching sin. • Ephesians 5:6-7, 11 — Don’t be deceived with vanity and participate in it. Colossians 3:17 — Make sure it pleases the Lord, not the emotions-flesh or self. Hebrews 12:1-2 — Lay aside weights as well as the sin. 6. Certain principles of conduct are a necessary part of the effort to establish an atmosphere within which the goals of Word of Life can be realized. For this reason and in an effort to maintain a consistent and above-reproach testimony to youth, Word of Life requires associates to refrain from the possession or use of alcoholic beverages, all smoking products, recreational and illicit drugs, from gambling, and from social dancing. Ceremonial dancing at special family events such as weddings and anniversaries is permitted. Biblical discretion and restraint will be exercised in all choices of entertainment, including radio, television, all forms of audio and visual recordings, movies, stage productions, computer and video gaming, various forms of literature and social media (Psalm 101:3, Romans 14:13-17, I Corinthians 9:22-23, I Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 6:3, Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 5:3-4, I Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:12). Furthermore, it is expected that associates will actively support a local Bible-believing church through service, giving, and allegiance (Hebrews 10:24-25). 7. Word of Life rejects the principle that exposure to and/or experimentation with doubtful and objectionable practices is essential to the development of moral or intellectual discernment and/or discrimination. Word of Life reserves the right to make the final decision in any questionable area. 8. Word of Life recognizes that observance of Word of Life standards does not comprise the whole of an individual’s responsibility to God and hence does not necessarily indicate that one is living a life of full commitment. The philosophy of Word of Life, however, maintains that willingness to obey these standards shows a maturity and spiritual concern for the whole Christian community (Galatians 5:13-24). 9. Conduct that is an offense to good taste, sound morality, or Christian propriety will not be acceptable. While some may not have personal convictions wholly in accordance with Word of Life standards, the purpose underlying them necessitates the honorable obedience to them. If an individual can no longer in integrity conform to them, that person should withdraw from Word of Life. Willful disobedience of these standards will bring about dismissal from Word of Life immediately. 10. To ensure that the position of Word of Life will be maintained in an uncompromising manner and believing that a consistent and exemplary life should be expected of those who undertake the instruction and guidance of Christian youth, it is required that associates shall individually affirm by signing the following at the time of initial association and shall so reaffirm at such time as determined by Word of Life.
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III. GRIEVANCE POLICY To see our full Grievance Policy, visit wol.is/grievance
IV. CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS (FERPA) To see our FERPA policy, visit wol.is/ferpa
V. TITLE IX POLICY To see our Title IX Policy, visit wol.is/titleix
VI. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT POLICY To see our policy on Equal Employment, visit wol.is/eep VII. ADDENDUMS To see our policy on Addendums, visit wol.is/vehicle
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SECTION ONE STUDENT LIFE
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STUDENT LIFE HANDBOOK
I. STUDENT LIFE PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE The mission of Student Life is to help students cultivate healthy relationships with Christ and others through providing leadership, a discipleship atmosphere, and development in spiritual disciplines. A. Objectives The specific objectives of the Student Life Department are to help every student to: 1. Develop and incorporate spiritual disciplines into daily life with the goal of long-term spiritual success.
2. Learn and apply biblical principles of leadership within various contexts. 3. Learn and apply principles of discipleship within various contexts.
B. Structure The Dean of Students, under the authority of the Executive Dean, leads the Student Life Department including the Dean of Men and Dean of Women. They minister together, overseeing all aspects of campus life including housing, spiritual, and social activities or events, counseling, discipleship, and discipline.
The International Student Coordinator – Mrs. Gaby Hackett, DSO
Off Campus Student Coordinator – Mr. Drew Burtis
Resident Directors are selected to assist the Deans in the management of Student Life programs and the training, oversight, and discipleship of the Resident Assistants. Each Resident Director reports directly to a Student Life Dean. Lead Resident Assistants are selected to assist the Resident Directors in the supervision of students and fellow Resident Assistants, in their specific dorm section in keeping with Student Life Philosophy and Core Values. Each Lead Resident Assistant reports directly to a Resident Director. Student leadership (Residents Assistants) is comprised of students selected by the faculty and staff who have demonstrated leadership potential and personal responsibility. They serve to facilitate and maintain the standards of the Bible Institute as set forth in this Handbook. Dorm Resident Assistants assist with the oversight of dorm life, and the Student Experience Program participants assist with oversight in various service areas. RA/SEP’s exercise vital leadership roles in the dorms, in service areas, in the classroom, and on ministry teams. They also serve to encourage students in their walk with the Lord. II. STUDENT LIFE CORE VALUES The Christian life is a walk of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Unbelief turns us away from the Lord, hardens the heart, and neutralizes the benefits of hearing the Word of God (Hebrews 3:12-4:2), whereas faith energizes the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Therefore, we want to help students learn to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). As we seek to encourage this, it is our desire that the following biblical values guide our approach. A. The Sufficiency of Christ Through His Word (Colossians 2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:1-4) Sanctification is the process by which believers change to become more like Jesus Christ. Salvation and sanctification are both of the Lord, unmerited favors that we access by faith. As we trust and obey God’s Word, the Holy Spirit transforms us through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Scripture alone can accurately
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evaluate every situation and provide effective guidance for authentic life change. When external checklists, programs, and policies claim to prescribe a cure for the human condition or to generate spiritual growth on their own, they compete with the sufficiency of Christ through His Word. Therefore, our focus will be to constantly direct students to the Scriptures and help them to internalize truth. B. The Reality of New Life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-19; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27, 3:1-4) The Christian life is not a matter of doing all we can to become like Christ. It is responding by faith to the truth that Christ is now our life and allowing Him to live through us! Since all students who come to Word of Life Bible Institute profess new life in Christ, we take them at their word. In the words of Paul, “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17). Therefore, in matters of behavior, personal responsibility, and community life we appeal to a student’s new identity in Christ and call him or her to live in a manner that is worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27); no longer for self but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. C. Heart Transformation (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:15-16; Hebrews 4:12-13) The Word of God makes it clear that our fundamental problem is deeper than a lack of information or of skill. It is, in fact, our hearts which are easily led astray from faith to unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-13). Scripture teaches that the goal of instruction is a pure and a sincere heart (1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 10:22). Therefore, in each of the processes of instruction, admonition, correction, and restoration we aim to deepen students’ understanding of how behavior originates from the heart and is ultimately linked to faith and unbelief. Our goal is to allow the penetrating light of God’s Word to examine their hearts, fill them with truth (Philippians 4:8), and transform them by the renewing of their minds. D. Edifying Relationships (Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25; Galatians 6:1-5; Ephesians 4:14-16, 25-32) God has placed believers in a community, the Church, which is described as Christ’s flock, His body and His building. These metaphors indicate that God never intended believers to function in a vacuum! Paul compares us to the interdependent parts of the human body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) and reminds us we are actually “members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25) and are to build each other up in love as we minister to each other (1 Peter 4:8-10). The New Testament employs the phrase, “one another,” over fifty-six times in order to express the shift from the self-interest of the unbeliever to the gracious humility of the believer who now expresses love and concern for others. This is not accomplished by simply deploying a program but also by spending time listening to and building relationships with one another. Realizing we are all tempted by sin, believers can move toward one another with understanding and humility, calling each other away from the dangers of sinful choices and pointing one another back to the truth of God’s Word. Scripture teaches us that the end goal of all discipline is restoration of freedom, fellowship with God, and fellowship with one another. In this way, the loving pursuit of a brother or sister in sin becomes an act of compassion. E. A Compassionate Environment (Colossians 3:12-14; Philippians 2:1-4) We want to provide a nurturing community, where we walk with students through the issues they are struggling with. We desire to show them how to live in fellowship with other believers and what it means to walk in relationship with the Lord and to experience His grace together. The Word of God instructs us that it is the grace of God, rightly understood, which teaches us to “deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). This does not imply an absence of rules nor of correction. Rather, a compassionate environment provides the right context within which to: • Function with the understanding that no one is perfect though we are all accountable (Philippians 3:12-16). • Deal appropriately with sin and to pursue authentic biblical freedom (Galatians 6:1-5). • Forgive others freely from the heart (Matthew 18:35).
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III. STUDENT LIFE PHILOSOPHY At Word of Life Bible Institute we pursue life change! The Student Life Department facilitates this by maintaining an atmosphere conducive to growth in faith, hope and love. This atmosphere is cultivated in the dorms, in co-curricular activities, in campus service assignments, and in ministry. Our philosophy describes the approach we take and is well summarized in the following verses: “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose, also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:28-29). To that end, the philosophy of the Student Life Department centers around three concepts: A. Christ-Dependent – because we tend to depend on ourselves. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:1-16; Colossians 2:1-23, 3:1-3) Scripture teaches that Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He is our life, our hope of glory, and the One in whom we are now hidden in God. Every day we are called to live out these realities by faith. We share the same concern as the Apostle Paul, who said, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Therefore, we desire to continually point students to Christ, who is the object of our faith, and away from a dependence upon themselves and the tendency to pursue self- righteousness in one’s own strength by the keeping of rules. True righteousness is through faith in Christ. Though rules are important for worship and fellowship, they can never produce genuine godliness, since they are powerless in dealing with the weakness of the flesh. Therefore, we seek to encourage students to keep their focus on Christ, not on themselves nor on other people (Hebrews 12:1-2) and to rejoice in Him, not in their own accomplishments.
B. Love-Driven – because we tend to neglect others. (Matthew, 22:36-40; Ephesians 5:1-5; Galatians 6:1-5; 1 Peter 1:22, 4:8-10)
One of the characteristics of an authentic Christian community is love for others that is the result of having experienced God’s grace and love for oneself (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:19). Humility, a teachable heart, and a desire to seek the best interests of others are hallmarks of sincere love. This often involves setting aside personal preferences in order to serve others or to help those who may be struggling in some area of life. In cases where a brother or a sister is struggling with sin, loving them enough to walk with them through the process of repentance and restoration provides a radically different motivation for dealing with the issue. No longer is the goal to simply ignore the problem, maintain appearances, or to ensure that offenders somehow pay for their sin in order to balance the scales. Instead, the intended goal is restored fellowship and joy. Therefore, it is our desire to model genuine peace-making and burden-bearing and to pursue forgiveness and restoration whenever sin has been uncovered in someone’s life by the Holy Spirit. C. God-Glorifying – because we tend to live for self. (Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 4:10-13) The end goal of all spiritual growth is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, reflecting Him to the world rather than pursuing our selfish desires and drawing attention to ourselves (Romans 13:14). Therefore, we encourage students to view every dimension of life as a forum for putting Christ on display and to allow Him to live through them. Seeing all of life as a platform to glorify God rather than self makes the classroom, the dorm room, and one’s ministry or service assignment places where God is to be honored rather than ignored. Compassion and Discipline It is our desire to provide a compassionate, nurturing environment at the Bible Institute that is more like a walled garden than a fortified compound. This does not imply an absence of rules or discipline. Love does not ignore truth nor does truth override the need to be loving (Ephesians 4:15). Compassion does not preclude giving directions, issuing warnings,
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and providing correction and training that is consistent with truth. Discipline proves relationship. Instruction demonstrates love (Hebrews 12:8). Furthermore, biblical discipline is not heartless nor does it follow a predetermined set of responses. The Word of God exhorts us to “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15). This implies a need to exercise discernment in choosing an appropriate course of action in response to misconduct rather than dealing exactly the same way with everyone regardless of their response to correction. Therefore, in all discipline situations, we will seek to choose a response that is in a student’s best interest and which is appropriate to his or her particular circumstance. Biblical Mandates and Institutional Policies The administration of Word of Life Bible Institute recognizes that there is a distinction between Biblical Mandates and Institutional Policies . Both can be found in our Standard of Conduct as well as in this Student Handbook. Biblical Mandates are specific commands from God’s Word directed to all believers at all times in all places such as the command to abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Institutional Policies such as specific dress code expectations are best viewed as “house rules” intended to maintain an environment most conducive to the realization of our goals (No one appreciates chaos.). As a spiritual as well as an academic community, we ask students to adhere to both Biblical Mandates and Institutional Policies . While a student’s personal convictions may differ somewhat from the Institutional Policies , their free choice to become a part of the Bible Institute community constitutes a commitment to willingly abide by them, both on and off campus, while the academic semesters are in session (Hebrews 13:7,17). When at home during official school breaks, students are accountable to Biblical Mandates but not to Institutional Policies . It is expected they will conduct themselves in a way that will honor the Lord and will not discredit their identity in Christ, their parents, their local church, or the ministry of Word of Life with which they are associated during the time of their enrollment. When determining appropriate responses to misconduct, attention will be given to recognizing the differences between Biblical Mandates and Institutional Policies . The goal of the administration will always be to restore students to freedom and fellowship. IV. SPIRITUAL LIFE The Bible Institute program has been designed to encourage spiritual growth, but, in the end, it is the student’s responsibility under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to undertake the changes the Word of God demands in order to grow. In keeping with an environment conducive to spiritual growth, all students are responsible to observe the following: A. Chapel – Chapel services are held Wednesday and Friday featuring resident and adjunct faculty as well as guest speakers. All students, including off-campus students, are required to attend chapel services. Students are strongly encouraged to take notes during chapels. B. Church – Church attendance on weekends is required. Students are highly encouraged to serve in local churches in addition to attending. Physical attendance is required; watching a service is not sufficient. There are times when students must attend on campus due to conferences, Snowcamp or special training sessions. Bolton Community Church: Bolton Landing.....................................................................................518.644.9103 Calvary Bible Church: Wevertown....................................................................................................518.251.3304 Faith Bible: Chestertown..................................................................................................................518.494.7183 First Baptist Church: Warrensburg....................................................................................................518.623.9373 Grace Bible Fellowship: Olmsteadville..............................................................................................518.251.3290 Horicon Baptist: Brant Lake.............................................................................................................518.494.2584 Mountainside Bible Chapel: Schroon Lake.......................................................................................518.532.7128 New Hope Community Church: Queensbury....................................................................................518.798.5778 Crown Point Bible Church: Crown Point ..........................................................................................518.597.3318
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Cornerstone Alliance Church: Ticonderoga .....................................................................................518.585.6391 Pine Knolls Alliance Church: South Glens Falls ................................................................................518.793.7101 Westport Bible Church: Westport ....................................................................................................518.962.8247 C. Dorm Devotions 1. Devotions are held in the dorms. Devotions are generally led by the Dorm RAs, with students presenting the devotional on a scheduled basis. 2. The Deans may occasionally change the time of dorm devos or schedule special speakers. Dorm RAs must first obtain permission from their RD to have a special speaker in the dorm. 3. All students are expected to participate in presenting devotions periodically each semester. D. Quiet Time 1. Time is set aside each day for students to have their own personal “Quiet Time” with the Lord. 2. Students do not have to be at their desk for Quiet Time. While we allow students to not be at their desk, a full 30 minutes must be designated to Quiet Time. No other activities are allowed during the Quiet Time period. Students with early morning work assignments must complete their Quiet Times before going to bed. 3. Students are required to use at least the current Word of Life Quiet Time Diary as part of their devotional period and to fill in the comments for each day. As a means of providing helpful accountability, staff, RAs and RDs will periodically check Quiet Time Diaries. 4. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, students are responsible for scheduling their own Quiet Time period. In each case, they must be completed prior to “In-dorms.” 5. Students must complete the Quiet Time Diary every day they are enrolled as a student, including weekends. During breaks Quiet Time is encouraged to keep accountability with other students. E. Conferences We consider Missions Conference to be an integral part of the program, and all students are required to attend. 1. Missions Conference: Several days are devoted to a special mission’s emphasis during the second semester. Speakers and seminars as well as personal interaction with the missionaries themselves provide valuable insight and motivation. God often uses this conference to dramatically change the direction of students’ lives. V. DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM “ Deeper “ is a discipleship program for any student enrolled at Word of Life Bible institute to meet with someone with expectation of bible study, prayer, encouragement, and accountability. As a Student Life Department our desire is to help you go from just a knowledge of the Bible which we believe can puff you up and makes you prideful (1 Corinthians 8:1) to a wisdom and love that helps you build up one another (Romans 14:19) and develop a deeper personal relationship with Christ (John 17:3.) 1. D Group: D-Groups are the primary mode of yearlong discipleship on campus. Led by staff members, these gender specific groups of 3-5 people create high accountability with other like-minded students. You can sign up through the discipleship application found on the Student Portal. 2. Home Groups: Students can sign up for a specific home group that meets periodically at that staff member’s home. These groups offer an atmosphere of encouraging community and relaxation with an emphasis on building relationships, discussion, and prayer. Sign-ups will be available in the fall. VI. RELATIONSHIPS We encourage men and women to form healthy relationships. Word of Life Bible Institute desires to teach and model an approach to moral purity in relationships that reflects biblical values. We believe that sexual intercourse and many of the acts leading up to it are reserved exclusively for the context of a biblically defined marriage (Genesis 2:22-25; Matthew 19:4-6). Outside this context, sexual activities such as sexual intercourse, oral sex, forms of intimate touching
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and homosexual behavior violate clear biblical teaching (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8) and are prohibited even when consensual. God’s design at creation for both sexual desire and orientation is within the context of the marriage union between a man and a woman. Therefore, gender identity is a feature of God’s original creative design (Genesis 1:26-28). Word of Life believes that the term “marriage” has only one legitimate meaning, which is how marriage is defined, described, and illustrated in the Bible: the joining of one man and one woman as their genders were determined at birth, into a single, covenantal union. Whenever there is a conflict between Word of Life’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the ministry’s Statement of Faith, doctrines, and biblical positions will govern (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-23; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9). Word of Life requires its students to obey the Bible’s teaching that no sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined above. Word of Life believes that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, are contradictory to the Bible’s design and purpose for sexual activity (Genesis 2:24, 19:5; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4). Students who are involved in or are pursuing a “dating” relationship are to be guided by biblical principles. Scripture gives us helpful insight on how members of the opposite sex should interact with one another. “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2). In marriage, a husband and wife become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). In a dating relationship, however, a man and woman remain brothers and sisters in Christ. Scripture calls us to treat one another as brothers and sisters, “in all purity.” It is our desire to help students who face all kinds of sexual temptations. A. Dating, Engagements, and Marriages 1. Marriage plans made prior to attendance should be communicated to the Student Life Department upon enrollment. Marriages are not allowed during the school year without prior permission from the Student Life Dean’s Office. 2. The Student Life Department should be consulted prior to any engagement between two current students during the school year and that parental/guardian permission be given prior to the engagement. 3. Divorced or separated students are not allowed to date while enrolled at the Bible Institute. B. Physical Contact 1. For the sake of accountability and testimony, physical displays of affection should be limited to a brief embrace, upon leaving for or returning from official school breaks. Holding hands (except for engaged couples), kissing, or any other physical contact is not allowed on or off campus. 2. Physical contact between members of the same sex must be within the bounds of biblically acceptable behavior. C. Third-party Rule 1. Two students of the opposite sex must have a third party with them at all times except while in the central area of the campus. This area extends from The Barn to the WC parking lot and excludes any remote or darkened location within it. 2. When students in mixed company visit, use, or are invited to a home, the owner (or renter) must be present. VII. OFFICIAL SCHOOL BREAKS A. While Biblical Mandates apply at all times, students are not held to the Institutional Policies of Word of Life during school breaks unless they are on the Bible Institute campus or on a Word of Life ministry trip, in which case they are.
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B. During official school breaks, the campus and dormitories close. Students are expected to arrange their own housing and transportation during those weeks.
C. Students are typically not permitted to leave or return early or late for official school breaks. In the case of extenuating circumstances, special permission is required from the Student Life Deans. Failure to obtain this may result in a zero grade for missed coursework. 1. If special permission is granted to leave early, coursework can be made up in one of the following ways: a. Complete the work ahead of time by viewing the previous year’s class on the campus intranet. b. Arrangements must then be made with the Academic Department to complete assignments and take quizzes and exams. 2. All make-up work must be completed by the deadline established by the Academic Department including all assignments, quizzes, or exams. Failure to do so will result in a zero grade for all missed assignments. 3. As per the standard stated elsewhere, no more than 20% of a semester may be made up. If illness or other factors result in a student missing more than 20% of the semester, they may be asked to withdraw and then to re-enroll when they are able to complete the program in the classroom. VIII. STUDENT COUNCIL OVERVIEW What is Student Council? Student Council is a group of students who represent and serve the entire student body. Student Council members will be elected for leadership positions and will serve in these positions as their service assignment. What does everyone do? All Student Council members act as representatives to the Student Life Department (Deans and Resident Directors). Student Council representatives meet regularly with the Student Life Department and have the opportunity to bring up issues concerning campus life. The Student Council also serves the student body by assisting the Assistant Ministries Coordinator in creating and running campus activities and service projects.
IX. CAMPUS LIFE
A. Announcements 1. Your school email and Canvas are the main sources of communication. Check your communication daily. 2. Students are responsible for any important announcements or meeting requests sent to their email accounts or posted in Canvas by staff and faculty. B. Care of Buildings 1. Students collectively sign a “dorm contract” with their Dorm RA at the start of the year, which serves as a reference during room inspections at the end of the year. Damages may result in fines determined by the Student Life Deans. 2. Screens are not to be removed from windows. 3. Extension cords are not permitted in dorm rooms but power strips are. However, a power strip may not be connected to another power strip. 4. Hot oil poppers, toaster ovens, hot pots (unless a coil is built into the base), hot coils, halogen lamps, and sun lamps are not allowed in the dormitories due to being fire hazards. Hot air poppers are allowed. 5. Air conditioners are not permitted in student housing. 6. Students must not store items in the boiler room or enter it at any time. 7. Tampering with the temperature settings of water heaters and furnaces is not permitted. If there is a problem
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