AoM Standards of Conduct

For Leadership and Ministry Team, Staff, Volunteers, and Board Members

Apologetics On Mission (AOM) team members walk joyfully and compassionately in God’s grace, striving to stay on a healthy path of Christian liberty between legalism and license. We avoid making rules about particular behavior, but we embrace God’s moral law, upheld by Christ, and the traits of godly character identified in Scripture. These character traits include humility, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control, and all the fruit that grows from a life led by the Spirit, rather than by the sinful nature. When we falter in these areas, the right response is to confess, seek forgiveness, and make things right to the extent within our ability to do so—the key to maintaining a clear conscience. (1 John 10:9-10, Luke 19:1-10).

We believe that mutual accountability is essential to the flourishing of a God-honoring and gospel-centered ministry such as AOM. To this end, AOM sets forth the following standards for the attitudes and actions of our team members and those who join themselves to this ministry in service to others and ultimately, to the Savior. Failures to follow these standards will be addressed fairly and consistently, based on thorough investigation.

Standards for Sexuality and Sexual Relationships

Marriage

AOM believes the Bible is clear that God created two genders and that those two genders are to live in sexual purity, saying, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27). While singleness is a gift for those who enjoy the freedom for service to Christ that it brings, marriage is honorable for those who choose to marry. (Heb. 13:4, 1 Cor. 7)

The Bible teaches that God has designed marriage as providing the boundary within which sexual activity takes place as an expression of love, an act of intimacy exclusive to the husband-wife relationship. Scripture defines marriage as the legal union of one adult man and one adult woman in a lifelong commitment, a covenant relationship. The two become “one flesh” by God’s joining. (Gen. 2:23, Matt. 19:4-5, Eph. 5: 31-32)

In Scripture, God uses marriage as a picture of His relationship with those who entrust their life to Him. Given this symbolism—along with God’s other purposes for marriage and family—the sanctity of marriage must be upheld. Any sexual relationship outside of marriage is a violation of God’s moral law, as stated in the sixth commandment and as affirmed throughout the Old and New Testaments. (Eph. 5:22-33, Hosea, Isaiah 54:5, Ex. 20:14, 1 Cor. 5:1, Rom. 1.29-31, Matt. 15:19, Mark 7:21, Matt. 5:28)

Therefore, AOM ministry servants must maintain sexual purity and uphold a biblical view of marriage. They must abstain from any sexual activity or any indication of a sexual relationship outside of marriage between one (male) husband and one (female) wife. They may not cohabit with any sexual or romantic partner other than their spouse.

Marital Difficulty

AOM encourages reconciliation when brokenness occurs so that God may be glorified in the healing of the relationship. Special consideration will be given to accommodating an elective leave of absence for the purpose of resolving serious marital difficulties. As soon as any member of the AOM team becomes involved in a legal separation or divorce proceeding, he or she should notify the leadership team and discuss the reasons for such action. The situation may call for a mandatory leave of absence or a reassignment of role, with timing and duration to be determined in discussion with the leadership team. Each case will be considered individually and evaluated with consideration for specific circumstances.

Divorce

AOM places a high priority on healthy marriage and strongly discourages divorce, in keeping with God’s design. God’s ideal is that there be no divorce and that husbands and wives stay together until death separates them. When divorce does occur, it does not automatically disqualify a person from ministry. Each case will be considered individually and evaluated in light of specific circumstances. (Matt. 5:31-32, 1 Cor. 7:10-17)

Homosexuality

Scripture uses direct language to forbid homosexual behavior. Therefore, any sexual activity or romantic relationship between individuals of the same gender is forbidden, just as is any heterosexual relations between unmarried persons. Members of the AOM team must abstain from engaging or affirming as a natural and acceptable alternative to heterosexual sexual relationship within the boundaries of marriage any homosexual romantic or sexual relationship. A homosexual relationship includes not only a romantic homosexual relationship outside of marriage but also homosexual legal marriage. Further, transgenderism or any sexual expression that blurs the natural distinctions between male and female, such as a cross-dressing lifestyle is rejected. (Gen. 1:27, Lev. 18:22, Rom. 1:26-27)

Pornography

Scriptures prohibit all forms of sexual impurity, including acts that involve sinful and destructive thoughts, as well as behaviors. The use of pornography is a form of sexual impurity that demeans and exploits humans, who were created in the very image of God. Thus, AOM ministry participants will abstain from viewing printed, online, video-recorded, or any other form of pornography. (Matt. 5:27-28, Mark 10:9)

Conduct while on mission

Much of AOM’s work includes mission trips and the travel that entails.  This code of conduct applies for the entirety of these trips. 

All actual and appearance of impropriety between two team members of the opposite sex will be avoided during these trips.  This means that two team members of the opposite sex will only meet in public spaces (that is, avoid meeting in hotel rooms, private cars, or any other space where they are alone together).  Any activity that is or appears reserved for romantically involved couples will be avoided, such as non-public meals, excursions, events, or any other non-mission related activity.  Opposite sex team members (who are not a married couple) will never share a room together.

Romantic relationships between team members on mission and those we serve are to be avoided.  While AOM is open to the possibility that the Lord may bring a couple together through a mission, any pursuit of this will only happen outside the context of the mission.

Standards Concerning Substance Use/Abuse and Addictions

Addiction is a tragic but prevalent reality in our society and, therefore, must be addressed in particular by a ministry that works directly with people. AOM’s evangelistic and equipping ministry brings AOM ministry servants into contact with those who struggle with or are directly impacted by addictions of all kinds. While we desire to be a redemptive influence in the life of any staff, volunteer, or board member who may struggle to overcome an addiction of one kind or another, we maintain a primary commitment to healthy living and godly character for the sake of those to whom we minister.

AOM ministry servants with a history of addiction must be in stable recovery. Christian adults are expected to exercise self-control in all things. Thus, the use of alcohol among adults is expected to be in moderation and with keen sensitivity to the well-being of others, as well as to one’s own potential to fall into sin. (Rom. 14:20-21, Gal. 5:22-23, 1 Cor 10:12)

No AOM ministry servant may be under the influence of any illegal drug or alcohol while in the workplace, while on duty, or while operating a vehicle or equipment owned, leased, or rented by AOM. In keeping with AOM’s intent to provide a safe and healthful work environment, the use of tobacco is prohibited throughout the workplace. Employees may use physician-prescribed medications, provided that the use of such drugs does not adversely affect job performance or the safety of the employee or other individuals in the workplace.

Standards Concerning Financial Responsibilities

As taught in Scripture, AOM ministry servants will maintain an attitude of stewardship of the Lord’s resources—and their own personal finances—with utmost integrity. Specifically, we seek to complete work within budget and avoid unnecessary spending. We seek to live honorably, avoiding any financial misconduct, which includes but is not limited to mismanagement of donations and other ministry funds, embezzlement, theft, misuse or abuse of AOM property or assets, identity theft, and misuse of financial and personal data. Ministry servants will be vigilant to avoid using ministry funds for personal expenditures and when questions arise regarding expenditures, will consult the leadership team for direction. (2 Cor. 8:20-21, 1 Tim.3:7, Matt. 5:16, Prov. 11:3, 1 Peter 3:16, Heb. 13:18)

Faithful Local Church Involvement

AOM expects all ministry servants to be committed to lifelong spiritual growth by faithful involvement in a local church that offers sound biblical teaching, supportive relationships, and spiritual accountability. Ministry servants also seek ways to use their spiritual gifts to serve in their local church. (Heb. 10:25, Acts 2:42, 1 Cor. 11:18, Eph 1:22-23, Gal. 1:1-2, 1 Cor 12, Eph. 4:11-16)

Respectful Conduct

AOM strives to maintain a caring, creative, and collaborative culture, free from intimidation, threats, or violence of any kind. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, intimidation, threatening, vulgar, or hostile words or gestures, physical abuse, dishonesty, vandalism, grumbling, and complaining. (James 5:9)

This rule applies both to the workplace and to all venues where AOM carries out its ministry activities. Inappropriate words and actions will lead to disciplinary action. In cases of emergency, leadership and ministry team members, volunteers, and board members are expected to take whatever action is necessary to safeguard their own and others’ safety.

Otherwise, they should report observed misconduct to the leadership team. In matters of dispute with other Christians, to the extent that it is in within the individual’s power to do so, AOM leadership and ministry team members, volunteers, staff, and board members will attempt to resolve conflicts according to scriptural guidelines. In situations of unresolved conflict between Christians, the individual will seek to submit grievances to Christian arbitration for resolution rather than to the courts of the land. (Matt. 18:15-17, 1 Cor. 6:1-8)

Credential Integrity

In keeping with AOM’s goal of performing all ministry endeavors with integrity, AOM ministry servants seek to accurately reflect their credentials—whether academic degrees, accomplishments, or work experience— across all platforms, including social media and other communication platforms. We also recognize that while our education and expertise qualify us to speak on certain topics, it is our heart’s humble submission to the Lord Jesus that makes our gifts, skills, and knowledge usable by God for His kingdom purposes. (Eph. 4:25, Psalm 15:2,2 Cor. 2:17, 2 Cor. 4:2, Psalm 37:4, Rom 12:3)

Conclusion

AOM maintains a commitment to exemplifying godly character. We set biblical standards and expectations for the integrity of every person involved in this mission. AOM leadership retains the right to assess a staff member’s, volunteer’s, or board member’s conduct and ability to continue in effective service.

While we take a redemptive attitude toward those who struggle with sin and are willing to seek restoration, AOM must give highest priority to upholding our core values and exemplifying Christ’s character in all our interactions with the people whom God has called us to serve.

AOM expects all leadership and ministry team members, staff, volunteers, and board members to exemplify our core values and standards. AOM also expects that when any leadership or ministry team member, volunteer, or board member believes, in good faith, that a violation of these values or standards of conduct has occurred, this violation will be reported to the leadership team.

The areas of concern listed in this document do not constitute an exhaustive list. AOM desires all leadership and ministry team members, staff, volunteers, and board members to live “above reproach,” using sound judgment and obeying God’s Word in all matters.

The Christian faith offers respite and restoration to all who fall short of God’s glory, and yet those involved in ministry are held to a higher standard. Individuals who truly are called by God to this ministry will gladly strive to serve Christ in obedience to His Word and His ways.