VOLUNTEER POLICY

TEAM MEMBERS
  • The desire to serve is often a gateway to further exploration of the Gospel, and becomes the bridge to building relationships with mature believers.
  • The desire to serve originates from the heart of God, it is countercultural and contrary to the natural inclination of persons to think only of themselves.
  • Service provides a self-denying, others-focused activity that can lead to a softer heart to receive spiritual truth.
TEAM LEADERS*, CORE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
(*Team leaders are Praise Team Leaders; Bible Study Leaders; DIF Service Prayer Partners; DIF Kids Teachers; Transformer Teachers; and others the Council deems as having a role of spiritual impartation.)
  • The aspiration to Christian leadership is a noble calling, requiring humility and surrender to a higher standard of spiritual, personal, and public scrutiny.
  • The aspiration to Christian leadership broadens the influence of the leader, and therefore, demands extra care to maintaining a testimony that honors the Gospel.
  • Team Leaders (as outlined above) will sign this Volunteer Policy agreeing to the following guidelines as long as they are in a DIF Leadership role:
    1. Demonstrate a servant heart (John 13:3-14).
      • Strive to be worthy of the trust and authority bestowed in being affirmed as a leader.
      • Embrace the vision, values, and mission of DIF; by signing this document, the leader commits to support the DIF Statement of Faith and organizational Constitution.
      • Be accountable to their team members and to one another.
    2. Strive for wholesome speech (avoid swear words, and other offensive language including sexual connotations, or racial, religious, or political slurs). A commitment to integrity and accountability in online communications.
    3. Exercise caution with potentially addictive behaviors/harmful substances. Illegal drug use and/or drunkenness is never acceptable. DIF Team Leaders, CORE members, and Council members agree to refrain from the consumption of alcohol at all DIF events.
    4. Live a lifestyle of sexual integrity:
      • Extra care in physical contract with those we serve (even gestures of care and concern can be misinterpreted).
      • Sexual purity: sex outside of marriage is prohibited; sexual innuendo and harassment are never acceptable.
    5. Endeavor to align their attitudes and behaviors in a lifestyle befitting the title "Christian" or "Christ-one" - including all the above and in other areas:
      • Honesty and integrity in financial matters. Seeking financial benefit from a church role is never acceptable.
      • Confidentiality in serving. Informing only the Church Council members immediately where there are concerns for safety (of the person or others), legal implications, or when information is in the public domain. Disclosure is a serious matter and the assistance of a Council member should be sought.
      • Notification of a Council member in situations that involve a victim of abuse or a person who may need professional counseling.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS POLICY
  • Any breach of this code involving a criminal offence may lead to a report being made to the relevant authorities.
  • Any breach relating to the harm, or risk of harm, of a child or young person will be dealt with according to DIF's Child Protection Policy.
  • Any other breach will be considered by the CORE Leader and the Pastor(s) in light of the best interests of the volunteer and those we serve and may result in the volunteer being stood down either temporarily or otherwise. The Pastor(s) will notify the Council of any decisions in this regard.
  • All Team Members, Team Leaders, CORE members, and Council members should be open to correction and humble enough to submit to the Holy Spirit and the Church Oversight Council to modify attitudes and behaviors that may discredit the Gospel or the church.