Standards of Conduct
At WalkRight Bible Institute, we believe the Scriptures should guide our daily lives whether institutionally or individually; studying for the ministry or serving as a layman; young or old. The Word of God should be the source of our strength, wisdom, and direction. As students prepare for life responsibilities in church, at work, and at home, a strong and vibrant testimony should be of the utmost importance. Proverbs 22:1 exclaims that, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches...” Academic studies are very important and we strive to provide the best education possible, but a virtuous life provides authenticity to the life of every believer and we focus on influencing the heart as well as the mind. While some institutional procedures can and may change with time, Biblical, core, moral standards of conduct are right in every generation, culture, and age group. We expect our students, staff, and ministry associates to follow, endorse, and support these core standards. We strive to follow the admonition found in Joshua 22:5b, “But take diligent heed…to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
1.We believe the Word of God should guide all of our affairs and is the basis for our faith and practice. It should be the compass that directs our steps, the light that brightens our paths, and the power that strengthens the soul and mind. We believe in the Scripture’s authority, sufficiency, and supremacy. In our daily ministry, we preach its power, its credibility, and its uniqueness. All should embrace its truths, love its Author, and preach its Gospel; and, by God’s grace, the Word of God will be highly esteemed and solely used to bring sinners to repentance and the redeemed to an obedient walk with Christ.
2.We believe that marriage between one man and one woman is the foundational relationship of all civilization. Nations and cultures crumble without the presence of Biblical marriages and stable homes. It is God that established and blessed the only legitimate marriage by joining one man and one woman in holy matrimony and commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth. Throughout the Scriptures, vast references instruct the one man and one woman marriage relationship alone while zero references are found to instruct alternative marriage unions to exist in blessed divine recognition. We will celebrate the husband and wife relationship and encourage the entire family to live according to Biblical principles condemning all other cultural considerations as unbiblical, unnatural, and unworthy of acceptance.
3.Throughout the Scriptures, God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should take place outside of a Biblical marriage. With this in mind, all forms of immorality, including homosexuality, adultery, fornication, pornography, and any other perversions mentioned directly or indirectly in the Word of God, are sinful perversions of God’s sexual design. All sexual activity outside of marriage between a husband and wife joined in holy matrimony are in direct opposition to God’s Word. We will not endorse, employ, or educate those who promote or participate in a homosexual lifestyle or any other sexual activity outside of marriage.
4.When participating in any function of this organization, there must be a commitment to follow specific Bible principles regarding associations, character, behavior, and service. Certain principles of conduct are therefore a necessary part of any effort to establish a sound and safe Christian atmosphere. For this reason, all should refrain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, immorality, participation in secret societies, and attendance at movie theatres, swearing, or any other behavior directly forbidden in Scripture.
5.Discretion should be exercised in all choices of clothing, grooming styles, and entertainment, including videos, music, radio stations, television, and reading material. Behavior that is offensive to good taste, moral credibility, sound testimony, and to seasoned Christian leaders should be avoided. While some may not share ministry standards fully, each person should honorably submit under those rules, guidelines, or procedures that are meant to shape the godly and organized atmosphere we hope to achieve. One’s willingness to defer their rights for the privilege of service shows a spiritual maturity worthy of recognition. We reserve the right to make the final decision regarding all things questionable and expect full compliance after decisions are rendered.
6.The Lord’s Day is a special day in the life of a believer. It is on this day that believers gather to worship the Lord serving the needs of the congregation and the purposes of the church. Since the Lord’s Day has been set aside for these special purposes, each person is strongly encouraged to use this day for the Lord. It is expected that staff and students actively support, through faithful service, regular giving, and genuine loyalty, a fundamental, conservative, Baptist, Bible-believing church.
7.The tongue is perhaps the greatest tool for good or destruction known to mankind. The Scriptures, in a multitude of places, admonish good, honest, and wholesome speech among God’s people. It is absolutely necessary to avoid gossip, a critical spirit, complaining, petty arguing, mean-spirited name calling, over the line sarcasm, cursing, untrue statements, and any other verbal expressions that dishonor one’s Christian testimony. Each person is expected to be cordial, respectful, kind, and gracious, using God-given communication skills for building lives, solving problems, and exchanging facts, ideas, and conclusions with a positive impact.
8.Hospitality is not a clever marketing slogan or marketing ploy but rather an expression of a deeply held belief that joyful, sacrificial, and respectful service to our fellow man is a Biblical mandate. Each day and each event is an opportunity to serve others instinctively and cheerfully as an expression of our genuine love for Jesus Christ. Unfriendly, impatient, and selective hospitality is not taught or endorsed by this ministry. Training men and women for Christian service is our priority.
9.We believe that all men are accountable to God-ordained authority structures. Clearly, the home, government, workplace, and local church all play a very important role in maintaining order in society and providing the means to encourage positive influence and growth. When authority structures are marginalized and purposely ignored, the ability to do right is handicapped and personal and institutional credibility is sacrificed. Each person is responsible to be under reasonable accountability and to honor and submit under the God-given authorities provided for them. In light of Scriptural admonishment, we will honor the responsibility of a man to lead his family, parents to lead their children, an employer to lead his employees, government to lead its citizens, church leadership to lead the congregation, and the Word of God to lead the redeemed.
10.From the very beginning, man was given responsibilities, not as a curse, but as an opportunity, to fulfill his individual role as a created being in the image of God. Work, and every task assigned, is to be approached with joyfulness, intensity, creativity, and duty. Energy, wisdom, punctuality, and a great attitude should be applied to whatever task is assigned. A person ought to give an honest effort to every responsibility when working for an employer, completing an assignment for academic recognition, or doing something in the church. When someone doesn’t show up, prepare, or honor their commitments to the tasks assigned to them, others have to step in and cover for them. A Biblical work ethic is an essential part of Christian character and believers should always be among the top performers.
