Since 1987

TO:                      Church Staff, Leaders, Teachers & Helpers

SUBJECT:          Requirements for Leadership & Service

Dear Church Staff, Leaders, Teachers & Helpers:

              You have been appointed to a position of leadership at Calvary.   As a leader, the congregation will be looking to you for many things and even evaluating you more critically than ever.   Your conduct will either elevate or bring down the name of the Lord here at Calvary.  Therefore by accepting your role as a leader, you have agreed to many things written and unwritten.  If Calvary prospers this year, you along with our Lord will get the praise.  If Calvary falters, we will bear the blame.  Unity, commitment, and spiritual success weighs heavily on our shoulders.

              There are several requirements you should be aware of:

• Communication:  It is important that we guard our tongue from gossip, complaining and false information.   As believers, these things should not be a part of our spiritual walk with the Lord.   As leaders, we should be godly examples for others to follow and we should be actively cultivating unity among the brethren.  If others speak negatively of the church or of individual(s) within the church, it is your job to rebuke in a loving way the person or persons involved.  It is also your responsibility to avoid such activity yourselves.

• Conduct:   “Only let your conversation [conduct] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27).  “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation [conduct], in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12). “Let your conversation [conduct] be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have” (Hebrews 13:5). “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation [conduct] his works with meekness of wisdom”  (James 3:13).  “Be ye holy in all manner of conversation [conduct]” (1 Peter 1:15).  “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation [conduct] in Christ” 1 Peter 3:16).

Proper conduct is discussed in Ephesians 4:22-32.  It is defined as speaking the truth, not lying, not being angry, not giving place to the devil, being a hard worker, not stealing, not using foul language, but rather being known for using the tongue to edify others, not bitter, not wrathful (outbursts of anger), not clamoring or fighting, not speaking evil but being known for being kind and tenderhearted.  Without good conduct, our words for Christ are like a bell that clangs senselessly.

• Commitment:  It is important that we support the church in attendance to all its services as well as the social activities we have throughout the year.   We try to be careful not to over burden the family when we plan these activities.  It is, therefore, important that you arrange your schedule accordingly.   Your attendance as a leader will be an encouragement to others.

• Clothing:  As a church, we have not set any dress standards for the congregation.  Modesty is the basic scriptural principle:  however, people have the tendency to carry this liberty to an extreme without going over the line.   Therefore to prevent an issue in this area, we ask those in leadership to set the standard.   Remember you are dressing up to honor a sovereign Lord and King.

• When on the church platform and when performing other public duties such as serving communion, singing in the choir or special music, ushering, etc., men are expected to wear a tie, jacket, dress slacks and shoes.   Women are expected to wear an appropriate dress or skirt and blouse.

b.     When serving the Lord in Sunday school, nursery or junior church, it is important that all leaders represent the Lord.   Though teachers are not ministering in front of the church, they are still on display before all in their respective classes.    When serving in these positions, it is expected that the men will wear a shirt and tie, dress slacks and shoes.   Women are expected to wear an appropriate dress or skirt and blouse.

• The nature of Kings Kids, the Wednesday Teen Group and VBS have many activities that require discernment on the part of each leader and helper.  Though dress might not seem important to some, to others dress may be a stumbling block.   Therefore, we ask that each leader or helper wear modest apparel when serving in this capacity.   No shorts, old work clothes, faded, old or tight dungarees, etc., should be worn.  Though we permit casual apparel, remember you are leaders representing God and His house.

• When you are not serving the church publicly, we still ask that you wear modest apparel to church.  For example, dresses, skirts, dress slacks, not work clothes such as dungarees, shorts etc.

4.           Constitution:  The church does have expected conduct of its members listed in the church constitution.  In particular, we are asking the leaders to uphold our spiritual service standards. This means that they are willfully abstaining from the use of tobacco, illegal use of drugs or the wrongful use of prescription drugs, alcoholic beverages, gambling, dancing, carnal and pornographic literature.   Furthermore, they are pledging before God to use a high degree of spiritual discernment when it comes to the use of television, videos, computer games, the Internet, radio, card games, theater attendance, music and a whole assortment of other activities. Remember, your spiritual walk speaks louder than your talk. It can reinforce what you say about our Lord, who is holy and righteous or your conduct can discredit you and hinder God’s work.  Please take note of your copy of the church constitution.           

5.           Translations:     We hold that those translations based on the Textus Receptus (TR) Greek Text are the best.  Other translations are based on what we believe to be an inferior Greek text (Westcott & Hott).  Therefore, we ask that only the King James Bible be used when teaching or preaching. 

I have read and understand the above requirements for leadership and service and agree to uphold these standards.

Signature:                                                                                   

Date: