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 personally (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 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, 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 the 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 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 that 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.
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Revised August 2024
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