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 lie in its philosophy
and goals. Those who are directly associated with Word
of Life, including directors, staff, faculty, and students
form a community and are not a collection of autonomous
individuals. These associates consequently bear certain
responsibilities and obligations within the organization
for the implementation of its philosophy and goals. In
order that the organization functions smoothly 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 must follow 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,
etc. (I Corinthians 6:9-20). Further, to expect the Christian
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).
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
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 between a man and a
woman, 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.
4. 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.
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.
5. 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, Word of
Life requires associates of the organization to refrain from
the possession or use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, illicit
drugs, from gambling and the use of traditional playing cards,
from the participation in oath-bound secret organizations
(societies), from social dancing of any type, from attendance
at the motion picture theater, and commercial stage productions.
Christian discretion and restraint will be exercised in all
choices of entertainment, including radio, television, audio
and visual recordings, and various forms of literature. Also,
Christian discretion will be exercised in observance of the
Lord's day. Furthermore, it is expected that associates will
actively support a local Bible-believing church through service,
giving, and allegiance.
6. 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.
7. 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).
8. 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.
9. To insure that the doctrinal 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 those associated with the organization
shall individually affirm by signing the following at the
time of initial association and shall so re-affirm at such
time as determined by Word of Life.
