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Agape School of Supernatural Ministry
Code of Ethics

Before Billy Graham became world famous, he was a little known evangelist with a small ministry team. In the late 1940’s and early ‘50s, evangelists were infamous for scandals and Graham was determined to avoid the unethical and immoral problems that often tainted other ministries. One afternoon while ministering in Modesto CA, he and his team developed a list of resolutions by which they would run their ministry. Later referred to as The Modesto Manifesto, this set of commitments served them well as the Billy Graham Association during a half century of ministry never endured an ethical or moral scandal, and enjoyed high levels of trust with the public. AgapeSSM will be well-served to adopt a similar code of ethics by which we run the ministry.

AGAPE SCHOOL OF SUPERNATURAL MINISTRY

Code of Ethics

A. MONEY AND DONATIONS

We will have in place processes and policies that will ensure all money is handled with integrity. There will be accountability in each step. While not currently a member of ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability - to which a majority of North American ministries belong) we will adopt practices that adhere to their standards of conduct (see addendum below). I Tim 6:10,17-19; I Pet 5:2-3; Dan 6:4, Ps 112:5

B. SEXUAL IMMORALITY

We will avoid any situation that would have even the appearance of compromise or suspicion. If married, we will not travel, meet or eat alone with a member of the opposite sex other than our spouses. If meeting for purposes of work, we will do so in settings that are professional and safe, with full awareness of spouses and colleagues. (For further clarification see Rick Warren’s list he created for his ministry staff - Addendum 1 below) 2 Tim 2:22; 1 Thess 4:3-4; Eph 5:3;

C. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS

We will love our fellow believers in Jesus Christ and will strive for relationship and cooperation when possible. We will speak highly of local churches and encourage our students to continue serving their home churches. If criticized by fellow believers, we will bless publicly and refuse to take offense, choosing to either ignore criticisms or to contact privately for discussion. Among ourselves we will speak of other ministries, even those which oppose us or with whom we disagree, with honor and genuine love. 2 Tim 2:24; Matt 5:11-12, 39, 44; Rom 14:1-13

D. PUBLICITY AND REPORTING

To earn the trust of others, our words must be consistently trustworthy. Therefore we will show integrity in our publicity and media reports. We will not exaggerate numbers or results but will strive for accuracy in all of which we speak. We will seek to confirm testimonies of healing, deliverance, and other reports of God’s wonderful power. We will be biased toward conservative estimates. Hype, spin, and exaggeration will be avoided. 2 Cor 8:21; Eph 5:25; Prov 12:22

ADDENDUM 1

As Christian leaders, we need to be above reproach. Paul wrote, “Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence” (1 Corinthians 10:12 MSG).

That’s why I established these Saddleback Staff Standards for maintaining moral integrity:

1. Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex. *

2. Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you. *

3. Thou shalt not kiss any attendee of the opposite sex or show affection that could be questioned. *

4. Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.

5. Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, and thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them.

6. Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling. Refer them.

7. Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attendee of the opposite sex.

8. Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards, or letters from the opposite sex.

9. Thou shalt make your secretary your protective ally.

10. Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.

* The first three do not apply to unmarried staff.

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” (Ephesians 5:3 NIV).

ADDENDUM 2

ECFA's Seven Standards of Responsible StewardshipTM

Standard 1 –

Doctrinal Issues – Every organization shall subscribe to a written statement of faith clearly affirming a commitment to the evangelical Christian faith or shall otherwise demonstrate such commitment, and shall operate in accordance with biblical truths and practices.

Standard 2 –

Governance – Every organization shall be governed by a responsible board of not less than five individuals, a majority of whom shall be independent, who shall meet at least semiannually to establish policy and review its accomplishments.

Standard 3 –

Financial Oversight – Every organization shall prepare complete and accurate financial statements. The board or a committee consisting of a majority of independent members shall approve the engagement of an independent certified public accountant, review the annual financial statements, and maintain appropriate communication with the independent certified public accountant. The board shall be apprised of any material weaknesses in internal control or other significant risks.

Standard 4 –

Use of Resources and Compliance with Laws – Every organization shall exercise the appropriate management and controls necessary to provide reasonable assurance that all of the organization’s operations are carried out and resources are used in a responsible manner and in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, such conformity taking into account biblical mandates.

Standard 5 –

Transparency – Every organization shall provide a copy of its current financial statements upon written request and shall provide other disclosures as the law may require. The financial statements required to comply with Standard 3 must be disclosed under this standard. An organization must provide a report, upon written request, including financial information on any specific project for which it has sought or is seeking gifts.

Standard 6 –

Compensation-Setting and Related-Party Transactions – Every organization shall set compensation of its top leader and address related-party transactions in a manner that demonstrates integrity and propriety in conformity with ECFA's Policy for Excellence in Compensation-Setting and Related-Party Transactions.

Standard 7 –

Stewardship of Charitable Gifts –

7.1 Truthfulness in Communications. In securing charitable gifts, all representations of fact, descriptions of the financial condition of the organization, or narratives about events must be current, complete, and accurate. References to past activities or events must be appropriately dated. There must be no material omissions or exaggerations of fact, use of misleading photographs, or any other communication which would tend to create a false impression or misunderstanding.

7.2 Giver Expectations and Intent. Statements made about the use of gifts by an organization in its charitable gift appeals must be honored. A giver’s intent relates both to what was communicated in the appeal and to any instructions accompanying the gift, if accepted by the organization. Appeals for charitable gifts must not create unrealistic expectations of what a gift will actually accomplish.

7.3 Charitable Gift Communication. Every organization shall provide givers appropriate and timely gift acknowledgments.

7.4 Acting in the Best Interest of Givers. When dealing with persons regarding commitments on major gifts, an organization’s representatives must seek to guide and advise givers to adequately consider their broad interests. An organization must make every effort to avoid knowingly accepting a gift from, or entering into a contract with, a giver that would place a hardship on the giver or place the giver’s future well-being in jeopardy.

7.5 Percentage Compensation for Securing Charitable Gifts. An organization may not base compensation of outside stewardship resource consultants or its own staff directly or indirectly on a percentage of charitable contributions raised.