Serve
Short-Term Personal Conduct Agreement
I realize that the following elements are crucial to the effectiveness, quality and safety of a short-term mission trip. As a participant of LAM Short-Term Ministries program I pledge to:
- Remember that I am a guest working at the invitation of a local missionary, pastor, etc. If my hosts offer me goat stew, I’ll try it. If certain music offends them, I will not play it.
- Remember that I have come to learn, not to teach. I may run across procedures that I feel are inefficient, or attitudes that I find closed minded. I’ll resist the temptation to inform my hosts about “how we do things.” I’ll be open to learning about other people’s methods and ideas.
- Work cooperatively and respectfully with other Christians who may not have the same doctrinal viewpoint that I have. I will seek to maintain the unity the Lord asks of His children in John 17:22-23.
- Abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages, using tobacco and taking illegal narcotics while serving short-term with the Latin America Mission.
- Develop and maintain a servant attitude toward all nationals, teammates and leaders. Respect and submit to the authority of my appointed leaders and their decisions.
- Maintain respect in relationships with others on the team and with host nationals, avoiding gossip and a complaining attitude, realizing that negative attitudes can affect team morale and give a negative witness.
- Respect the work that is going on in the country with the church, ministry, and people with whom I serve. I realize that my work lasts just a short while, but the missionary and local church will continue ministry for the long-term.
- Read materials, complete assignments, and attend all orientation and debriefing sessions.
- Comply with all financial, medical, and administrative requirements.
- Demonstrate tactfulness when expressing my political opinions about my country and the host country due to political instability and anti-American sentiment in many countries around the world.
- Remember not to be exclusive in my relationships. If my spouse or close friend serves alongside me, we will make every effort to interact with others around us.
- Abstain from romantic involvement including actively pursuing a relationship or engaging in behavior which could be interpreted as romantic interest with anyone, whether expatriate or national within the host country. I realize that certain activities that seem innocent in my own culture may be inappropriate in others. If already in a relationship or if a romantic interest develops, I agree to inform my leaders and to submit to their counsel regarding such matters.
- Maintain healthy Biblical sexuality, understanding that interpersonal sexual activity is reserved for monogamous, heterosexual marriage, upholding sexual purity, refraining from using pornographic material and abstaining from sexual harassment in any form.
- Return home prior to the completion of my program if deemed necessary by my appointed leaders. Any additional costs as a result of the action will be at my expense.
