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Ministry Positions and Moral Conduct
Regarding how we assess missionary candidates in areas of moral conduct, we affirm that:
- All Christians have a an expected standard of moral conduct to avoid sin and pursue conformity to the image of Christ (Titus 2.11-14; Eph 5)
- Though all Christians are called to Christ-likeness, ministry or church leaders are held to a more scrutable standard because of their responsibility and influence (1 Tim 3; Titus 1; James 3.1; 1 Peter 5)
- Jesus Christ's life is both our singular example for how to live and, through his death and resurrection, provides to only source of power to do so (Rom 6)
- The Holy Spirit (by illuminating Christ) convicts and guides in the Christian life (Gal 5; Rom 8.2-4)
- Thoughts and behavior are linked (internal and external). We believe both matter, but we know that external conduct is most easily demonstrable and evaluated over heart motive (Matt 5)
- Both legalism—over-zealously appropriating universal moral standards that scripture does not—or license—over emphasizing the grace of God to the point that a Christian's moral action is of no consequence—have been historic mistakes of the church that we strive to avoid. (Col 2:20-23; Gal 4-5)
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- Spiritual and emotional health issues are not the identical, yet are linked (Matt 22.37)
- The state of a sinful world has resulted in brokenness (Rom 8.18-26)
- God desires spiritually and emotionally healthy missionaries staff and pastors (John 14.27; Phil 4.4ff; Heb 4.14-16; Prov 12.25; Ps 30.11)
- Emotional health issues can be debilitating for Christian leadership and witness (2 Tim 1.3-7)
- Please note: our assessors are not trained or licensed counselors and do not purport to be.
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- Transparency, honesty, and integrity. We are much more likely to look favorably toward humble honesty than discover items left out or glossed over later. (James 5:15-16; Col 3.9)
- Care and grace. As sinners saved by grace ourselves, we have a long history and deep value of showing grace like Jesus did for the woman caught in adultery. We expect all our assessors and Reliant representatives to be sensitive, thoughtful , and grace-filled when discussing these sensitive areas. (John 8)
- Reaching agreement with local spiritual leaders in any areas of discussion that face the sometimes difficult work of applying the text to today (Acts 15)
- Recognition that the fundraising process can add specific life stress or trials that can compound or resurface previous patterns of sin or emotional unhealth; and should be approached with wisdom (James 1.2ff)
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Areas of Concern Organized DifferentlyFor better ease of use, we've divided the organization of this section to reflect specific topics rather than grouped together. Criminal or Civil RecordTime frame: ask about lifetime, action based on 3 years
No record, or clear redemptive story from a record in distant past
Hate GroupsTime frame: ask about last 5 years; action within 3-5 years
Alcohol Abuse and IntoxicationTime frame: ask about last 3 years; action within 12 months
Concern
Any above within last 3 years but not last 12 months
Any above within last 12 months Illegal Drug UseTime frame: ask about last 3 years; action within in 1 or 3 years
Pornography and Sexual Purity (individual)Time frame: Last 3 years
(less than once a week)
(once a week or more)
Thought Life/Sexual Fantasy
Considerations / Follow-up questions:
Comments on PornographyReliant's most commonly addressed area is in the area of pornography and erotic materials usage. This is especially true for young men but is not limited to them. We find older pastors, women, and others with significant struggles here. Our current standards are to recommend deferral for a candidate who shows a "pattern" of pornography in the last year (as defined by usage once per week or more). Of course, our prayer is that candidates are completely free of pornography. However, the saturation of our current culture (particularly with sexually explicit materials via the internet) has made this a challenge that many Christian ministries report struggling with. We seek to find a Biblical balance of clear recognition of sin yet strong grace in this area. In the pastoral/church interview, we make a special note of this issue and say to the pastor:
Sexual Immorality (with another)Time frame: last 3 years
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- Marital status of divorce [Lifetime]
- While we'll leave the judgement on the suitability of the divorce on the church or ministry, it should be noted as it may be a reputational barrier for donors.
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- Marital status of separated
- Separation or divorce in process or finalized [within last 12 months]
- A reputational issue for ministry fundraising as well as moral
- Context matters: we ask about general circumstances/reason for divorce, although we will leave moral judgement on the suitability of divorce on the church or ministry
- Recommend minimum deferral to meet a year
- Child or spousal support delinquency
Self-injury
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- Self-injury or self-harm, single occasion [Last 12 months]
- Pattern of self-injury [in the last 3 years]
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- Pattern of self-injury as defined as "more than once" [Last 12 months]
- Recommend deferral to get specific care
Depression
Time frame: 3 years and 12 months
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- Self-reports some feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression that are "more than normal," [12 months]
- Question: "Have you experienced feelings of sadness, despair, hopelessness, or apathy that seem "more than other people?"
- Debilitating depression or anxiety or formal treatment for clinical depression [Last 3 years, but not within 12 months]
- Managing ongoing depression with anti-depressants [last 3 years]
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- Self-reports feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression that are "more than normal," but also includes in the [last 12 months]:
- Debilitating depression or anxiety (example: changes normal functioning to include loss of income, relationships)
- Formal treatment for clinical depression
- Recommend seek input from mental health professional as to suitability of full-time ministry and MTD; recommend condition on counseling or consistent emotional support and accountability during MTD
Anxiety
Time frame: 3 years and 12 months
We’re seeing more applicants letting us know they have a diagnosis of or struggle with anxiety. Currently, there’s a gap in our application on what follow-up questions are needed to really assess these struggles. We recognize that. In the meantime, follow-up questions may be included in your Assessment Summary. Below are some guidelines used when assessing anxiety.
- The applicant indicated a struggle with anxiety that leaves us with some follow-up questions.
- Severity: To what extent does the applicant’s anxiety impact his or her daily life and function at work/school/ministry? Within in the past 24 months, has it ever hit a point where it’s debilitating?
- Frequency: How often does the applicant struggle with anxiety?
- Triggers: Is the applicant aware of what tends to trigger anxiety? (We’re looking for their level of self-awareness.)
- Accountability/help: Has the applicant brought this struggle into the light of community? Has he or she reached out for help? If so, how is he or she currently engaging in that help?
Suicide
Time frame: 3 years or 12 months
We’re seeing more applicants responding “yes” to our question about recent suicidal thoughts. Currently, there’s a gap in our application on what follow-up questions are needed to really assess these struggles. In the meantime, follow-up questions may be included in your interview. Below are some guidelines used when assessing suicidal ideations:
- Reliant considers suicidal ideations a safety issue that should be approached with care and caution. If the applicant indicated he or she has considered suicide within the last 12 months, we may have some follow-up questions.
- Severity: To what extent has the applicant taken these ideations? Has he or she gone so far as to create a plan for how he or she would carry it out?
- Frequency: How often is the applicant considering suicide?
- Triggers: Is the applicant aware of what tends to trigger these thoughts? (We’re looking for self-awareness here.)
- Accountability/help: Has the applicant brought this struggle into the light of community? Has he or she reached out for help? If so, how is he or she currently engaging in that help?
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- Thoughts of suicide [last 12 months]
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- Suicide attempt [Last 3 years]
- Investigate circumstances, response, and care: may recommend deferral or conditions for accountability and care
Eating Disorder
Time frame: 3 years or 12 months
Eating disorder information
FYI: People who may have a disorder in this area frequently lack insight into, or have considerable denial of, the problem and may be unreliable historians. It is often necessary to obtain information from parents or other outside sources to get a clear picture of the depth of the issue, frequency & patterns.
Other questions that can be asked to help uncover the severity of an eating disorder:
Do you feel the pressure to be superior or perfect in academics, athletics or how you look?
Does your life often feel out of control? Or is your weight or appearance one of the few things in your life you can control?
Do you use laxatives, diet pills of , or diuretics to lose weight?
Do you ever feel guilty about eating?
Do you count the calories hidden in every bite you eat?
Do you feel society pressures social pressure to be thin or fit or look a certain way?
Do you ever induce vomiting?
Have you experienced any medical issues lately? (usually a range medical issues accompany an eating disorder)
Do you often feel depressed or unhappy with yourself?
How often do you exercise, and for how long? (calorie restriction with overexercise can be dangerous)
Have you ever felt embarrassed or ashamed to tell someone the activities you do in order to maintain a particular weight or physical appearance?
Have you recently weighed yourself? How do you feel about the number that appeared on the scale?
*The more affirmative answers, the greater vulnerability. If there is evidence of a disorder, you can inquire how the church/ministry can come alongside in their healing process.
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- Eating disorder disorders including (e.g. anorexia nervosa (self-starvation/ limits food intake and/or over-exercise), bulimia nervosa (over-eating and/or self-induced purging of food), binge eating disorder (compulsive, uncontrolled eating) [last 3 years, but not last 12 months]
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- Above [last 12 months]
Life Stress
Holmes-Rahe Stress Test is a standard in life-stress self-assessment based on significant life events and changechanges. It's commonly used in pastoral counseling. It predicts the probability of becoming sick or depressed in response to life changes.
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- 149 or below (37% chance of getting sick or depressed)
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- 150 to 250 (51% chance of getting sick or depressed)
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- 251 or more (up through to 80% chance of getting sick or depressed)
Other issues
While we won't directly ask about every issue, other serious issues in moral conduct or emotional health may appear via open questions on the application. Interviewers may pursue issues at their discretion if they believe it's reasonable to do so based on other responses.
Time frame: Lifetime, 3 year, 1 year.
Generally, issues are evaluated on a 3-year/1-year basis. Within 1 year is often a red flag issue, while something within 2-3 years is generally a yellow flag issue. For some areas with longer lasting impacts, it may be appropriate to ask about lifetime.
Pattern or instance: some issues require patterns, others are issues at one "event" or episode. Patterns could indicate a greater likelihood to returning to the behavior under life stress such as MTD
Generally speaking:
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- No significant issues in any of the above for the last 3 years or minor or occasional issues without strong patterns
- Evidence of strong self-awareness
- Counseling or care when necessary
- Accountability and community in relationships
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- Unusually strong lack of self-awareness
- Complete lack of knowledge or accountability in any given area
- e.g. nobody has any idea about the person's pornography patterns
- Unless otherwise stated: Within the last 3 years, but not within the last 12 months
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- Unless otherwise stated: within the last year
- Disagreement on moral conviction on any of the above issues
- e.g. "I don't believe drunkenness is a sin or issue"
- Acknowledged lack of humility or repentance on any of the above issues
- e.g. "I did it, but I don't really care."
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