Guiding Document: Covenant for Life Together

Bethel University seeks to form a dynamic Christian community of learning, personal growth, and service. We are committed to the whole-person growth of the faculty, staff, and students who choose to join the Bethel community, and it is our goal that the life of each member of our employee community be marked by a total commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

A common commitment to this vision underlies our life and work together in the Bethel community. Each staff member, faculty member, administrator, and student is expected to strive toward Christian maturity, with Jesus Christ as the model. The guiding principles for our community life are based on specific biblical injunctions and broad biblical principles. While it is recognized that not all devout Christians share this prescribed lifestyle, and that these expectations are not necessarily norms for all Christians everywhere, commitment to a distinctive and healthy lifestyle is part of what makes Bethel a special place. Our standards of conduct are for all members of the Bethel community, and as members of this Christian community we are all accountable to and responsible for one another.

The Covenant for Life Together is Bethel’s Guiding Document that outlines the intentions this community has for modeling a life of devotion to Jesus Christ and living well with one another.

Follow this link to access the Covenant for Life Together 

Community life at Bethel should be marked by mutual encouragement, sensitivity, and consideration for others. This is particularly important when dealing with our differences. One of the special values of this community is the opportunity to learn from one another including those within other Christian faith traditions. We celebrate our diversity as well as what we hold in common.

Within committed Christian communities there are diverse views regarding a number of topics, one of which is the use of alcohol. Some choose a testimony of abstinence for a variety of legitimate and honorable reasons while others believe they can use alcohol occasionally and moderately in accordance with their interpretation of Scripture, and without harm to body, spirit, or relationships with others. As a community that honors Holy Spirit-led diversity among Christians, Bethel University employees as well as students in the Seminary, Graduate School, and College of Adult & Professional Studies are not prohibited from using alcohol in moderation when away from campus and not engaged in official Bethel University activities. Further, employees are expected not to drink alcohol in the presence of Bethel students. 

Living out the call to whole and holy living is challenging. As Paul states “what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” . Community members who persistently struggle to follow Bethel's lifestyle expectations are encouraged to talk with appropriate Bethel personnel to seek help in changing [14]. 

As a community we recognize that worship, fellowship, reading the Word, spiritual formation, and Christian service are all essential to our growth in holiness. As members of the Bethel community we are expected to participate in these types of activities regularly. Chapel stands out among these opportunities because it is a unifying spiritual experience for our Christian community. Our deep desire is that all students, faculty members, and administrative leaders would attend chapel regularly. Chapel is a learning experience that is enriched by the diversity of background and worship styles within the community.

As we join the Bethel community we accept these responsibilities and conditions of membership. We agree to live according to this document and other stated expectations as they are applied to us in the student and employee handbooks. Appropriate action will be taken to teach, influence, discipline, or even dismiss those who disregard these community expectations. We will strive to have all disciplinary procedures characterized by Christian love and a redemptive spirit. As we celebrate this covenant calling to whole and holy living, we encourage and challenge each other with these three verses [15].

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Because of its crucial role in influencing the ethos of the school, this statement of expectations is subject to change only by action of the Board of Trustees. The board holds these standards to be binding for all who voluntarily choose to become a part of the Bethel community.

[1] Matthew 22:37-40 [2] John 14:15, 21 [3] Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23-24 [4] Examples of such passages are: Exodus 20; Proverbs 6:16-19; Matthew 57; Galatians 5:13-25; Ephesians 4:22-5:21; Colossians 3:1-17 [5] Colossians 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Employees will not practice, advocate, or affirm these and other biblically proscribed behaviors. [6] Exodus 20:15; Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 13:5-6; 1 Peter 1:22 [7] Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 4:1-7,1516; James 2:1-13 [8] Romans 12:3-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4 [9] Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:14-15; 1 Timothy 4:8 [10] Genesis 1:2728, 2:24-25; Exodus 20:14; Song of Songs; Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, 7:3-5 [11] Genesis 1:28-31 [12] Romans 14:1-23; 1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23-24 [13] Ephesians 5:18 [14] See the College Student Handbook for information on Bethel's Non-Disciplinary Policy. College students may find the staff in the Office of Student Life, the Office of Campus Ministries, and the Counseling Center to be particularly helpful. Seminary students may find help in the Office of Student Life. In addition, many faculty are willing and able to assist. Employees may find help from peers, the Office of People and Culture, and administrative staff. [15] Colossians 3:15-17