BIBLICAL & MORAL EXPECTATIONS

We share the same expectations for leaders across all CE locations! It is expected that CE leaders uphold Biblical character as defined throughout the Bible in verses such as (but not limited to), 1st Timothy 3 and 1st Peter 5.

INTEGRITY COMMITMENTS

We ask a Lead Pastor who is launching a new campus to commit to a minimum of 4 years for the sake of the people, establishment of the campus, and long-term growth of the campus. The Lead Pastor will also be asked to sign and notarize a vision integrity agreement (similar to a non-compete, agreeing that if the Lead Pastor leaves CE, they will not raise money from CE people or start or work at a church in close proximity within a designated period of time). If a Lead Pastor decides to plant a totally independent church in the future, they are legally and ethically committing on the front end to fully and honorably leave the CE campus/people they helped launch and move to another region (instead of splitting the church/campus by planting/pastoring within driving distance).

MANAGING CE ASSETS

All property and equipment (regardless of how purchased), financial savings of the campus in any fund, and intellectual property are owned by Church Experience Inc. and remain with CE (Mission Support) upon the departure of a Lead Pastor under any circumstances. Most important, Lead Pastors are making an integrity agreement not to hurt, hinder, redirect funds, or split the support of CE people in any way.

LEAVING WELL

Lead Pastors are agreeing to do everything in their power to help this CE campus outlast their tenure and to hand off a healthy CE campus to the next CE Lead Pastor when they retire or leave for any reason. Lead Pastors are also agreeing to give Mission Support as much notice as possible (preferably at least 3 months) upon resigning and doing everything they can to ensure a smooth transition to a successor!

CONFIDENTIALITY

We will not share confidential or detrimental information in person or online. Serving within the Church Experience Leadership Community may put us in a situation where we know things that those outside the team do not (confidential prayer requests, names of people coming for counseling, conflict situations, undisclosed potential future changes or initiatives, database information, passwords, etc…). It is our responsibility to keep those things that are confidential within our own families.

UNITY THROUGHOUT THE TEAM

At all times and especially during conflict, we will remain lovingly united with each other. During team meetings, we agree to discuss items in order to get the best decision, but we will be united in the outcome and supportive of each other as we leave the meeting. Our words outside of the meeting will always gracious support each other! Team members should never speak negatively about their team leader or other team members. Gossip and slanderous conversation should be avoided and confronted when observed. If a team member has an issue, they should lovingly and respectfully discuss the issue with the other individual in person. If possible, confrontation should not take place over email, social media, text, or phone.

AVOID COMPROMISING SITUATIONS

We agree to not put ourselves in a situation where there are two people of opposite genders alone together (including driving in a vehicle, in a home, and meetings over a meal at a restaurant). This expectation does not include a meeting where other people are present on the same floor of the same building (where people can freely come and go) and it is adapted if the team member and person they are meeting with are both single. Use of conservative judgement is expected in this area.

AVOID BEING ALONE WITH A CHILD OR STUDENT NOT YOUR OWN

This includes giving rides home, waiting alone in (or outside) a facility for a parent to pick a child/student up, and home visits/meetings. This may be cautiously adapted for older students of the same gender as the team member. For example, a High School Student Experience pastor may occasionally take an older high school student of the same gender to Starbucks after school, but preferably this will only occur when others are present. Group meetings are preferred. This may also be adapted for a female team member that is babysitting in their personal time.

AVOID DRESSING INAPPROPRIATELY

Team members are encouraged to feel free to dress fashionably and comfortably. However, examples of inappropriate dress at CE events, meetings, services, or church-related gatherings include: shirts showing lots of cleavage, displaying midriff or undergarments, ultra-tight fitting tops or ultra-tight/ultra-short shorts, and over-revealing swimwear.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT GUIDELINE (OFFICIAL)

Each CE leader agrees to uphold the Biblical precedent of sexual purity and take precautions to protect children, students, and each person a part of CE from sexual misconduct.

MISSION SUPPORT ONLINE

A list of additional CE guidelines and responsible leaders for developing and maintaining those guidelines are available at Mission Support Online. Mission Support Online is also the password-protected online location for CE leaders to access these CE Essentials, Service Plans, teaching notes, forms, Mission Support leadership directory, and much more!