VISION

To be a vibrant and growing congregation unified in sharing the love of Christ through words and actions.

MISSION

• Gathered by God to worship and grow
• Empowered by Spirit to love and care for each other
• Living Christ's love by witnessing to all.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE CROSS
MEMBER STANDARD OF CONDUCT

Preamble:

This document is intended to guide the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Cross (ELCOC) in their relationships with the ELCOC and each other in a way that honors God , promotes loving relationships and helps us, the ELCOC, achieve our mission. Our mission is to worship God, love and care for each other and to witness to Jesus. We, as individuals, each have our own expectations. This can lead to lively discussion, and sometimes conflict. This document affirms the Standard of Conduct expected from members that will help to avoid or work productively through excessive conflict. The ELCOC, in turn, can then better provide a Christian community that provides a place to promote our best interpretation of God’s will in an environment that is open; responsive; nurturing; caring; and physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe.

Standard of Conduct

To support church programs and activities, I will:

• offer my knowledge and opinions in an appropriate manner and through due process when the congregation is making decisions,
• accept decisions made through due process, and not undermine their implementation,
• document any concerns I have regarding congregational processes, programs or activities and bring them forward to the accountable person or group.

To support fellow members and preserve harmony, I will:

• Focus on our common goals not our differences
• Support and respect my pastors, leaders, and fellow members
• Be open minded and realistic in my expectations
• Seek the best in others first
• Choose to encourage rather than criticize
• Refrain from gossip, backbiting, and slander.

To promote reconciliation if a fellow believer hurts me, or if I experience pain through a congregational process, program or activity, I will use God's method of conflict resolution as outlined in Matthew 18 as my guide. I will:

• Talk to God before talking to the person
• Overlook minor issues
• Not hesitate to take the initiative
• Try to understand his or her feelings
• Confess my part in the conflict
• Attack the problem, not the person
• Cooperate as much as possible
• Emphasize reconciliation, over resolution
• Enlist the assistance of other congregational members, including the Truth and Reconciliation Committee as appropriate, if individual reconciliation is not reached
• Escalate the matter to Council if reconciliation has not been achieved even with the assistance of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

Flagrant or repeated behavior contrary to Standard of Conduct expressed above can constitute “grossly unbecoming conduct” referred to in our constitution.

As a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross I commit, with God’s help and guidance, to adhere to these Standards of Conduct and to preserve and enhance the unity and fellowship of this congregation. I promise to do what I can to help the congregation achieve it’s mission.