Ministry Leadership Houses
Ministry Leadership Houses Covenant
February 23, 2006
PURPOSE
Anderson University provides Ministry Leadership Houses for the sole purpose of complementing/enhancing campus ministry on campus. Thus, each house is a tool for ministry.
EXPECTATIONS/ QUALIFICATIONS
Each house is sponsored by a Southern Baptist church to assist with maintenance and general upkeep as well as ministry. These churches help the University with these homes because they support the institution and its mission, they support the houses as ministry tools, and they trust that residents within them will be serious about their duties to use them as ministry tools. Residents are expected to respect the fact that these churches are partners with them in ministry. They often send teams in the summer to work in the houses or contribute funds to allow the University to enhance the houses. Thus, students should be careful to do their part in keeping the homes in good condition so the churches’ and the University’s improvement of these facilities is not in vain. Students should do all they can to help build and enhance the goodwill these churches have for the University by being open to accepting invitations to speak in their sponsoring church, writing thank you letters to the pastors each year, and other activities that demonstrate our appreciation to these churches for their interest and support.
Residence within a house is both a high honor and a serious responsibility. Each resident of the house must be proactive in using the house to minister to the campus. The Ministry Leadership House program is not designed for students who are simply in campus leadership positions, but for students seeking to go above-and-beyond in ministering to the campus on an ongoing, personal basis. The following standards are expected upon acceptance of a residential spot within a Ministry Leadership House:
MINISTRY COVENANT
A. Residents will be careful to observe all university policies as models of campus citizenship. The same policies that are established for the traditional residence halls will also be applied in the Ministry Houses. (Visitation hours, candles, extension cords, alcohol, etc.) Not only will violations of university policy weaken the witness of a house, but they will threaten a student’s ability to retain the privilege of living in the house.)
B. Residents will participate in developing a ministry plan and calendar of activities on a semester basis to be reviewed and approved in advance by the Campus Ministry Staff. This is a house activity and thus, all residents must be involved in the development of the plan and calendar. Each resident will sign and document their participation upon the completion of the plan and calendar. The proposed plan and calendar for the fall semester must be submitted prior to summer break. The proposed plan and calendar for the spring semester must be submitted prior to Christmas break (Date).
C. As a part of the calendar, each house must conduct a weekly service for students on campus, approved by the Campus Ministry Staff. The service could be in the form of a Bible study, an outreach program, or any form of ministry that directly impacts the lives of Anderson University students. Members of the house must participate in this weekly service. Lack of participation through excessive absences will result in the resident being reassigned to traditional campus housing.
D. Each house must organize, recruit campus participants for, and lead one community ministry project at least once each semester. Examples of projects are service with a local church, Anderson Interfaith Ministries, Calvary Children’s Home, Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Salvation Army, etc. During the spring semester, each house will coordinate their community ministry project as a part of the campus MLK activities.
E. Each resident is highly encouraged to participate in at least one mission trip each year. This can be through the University, one’s local church or home church, missionary organizations, etc.
F. Each resident must participate once each semester in a Leadership Conference led by Campus Ministries.
RESIDENCE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Residents are responsible for maintaining neat and sanitary conditions on the interior of the home at all times. Residents will respect the property and treat it as their home, always seeking to improve the residence as opposed to allowing it to deteriorate or be abused by inappropriate activity.
- These residences are in the historic district of the City of Anderson and are a reflection to the public of the University. The exteriors of the homes are to be tasteful at all times. Residents will keep the exterior of the home neat and free of trash and debris. Only furniture pre-approved by the Residence Life Office will be used on the exterior of the home. Camp chairs are not permitted as is any furniture that is intended to be used on the interior of the home, such as a sofa. Porches are not to be used to store, even temporarily, students possessions or furniture. Lights (except at Christmas and then only pre-approved lights), advertisements, posters, etc. are not permitted in windows.
- Residents will remove seasonal decorations within one week of the season’s end, such as Christmas decorations, etc.
- Each resident or group of residents acknowledges that they may be re-assigned to regular campus housing if either the Campus Ministry Staff, the Residence Life Staff or the Administration believes it is in the best interest of the University.
- Students must check in as well as vacate the home within the scheduled house move in day established by the Residence Life Office. There are no special extensions for residents to occupy these properties outside the timeframes established for the traditional residence halls. (Christmas break, etc.)
Assessment and Accountability
Each house will select one resident to serve as the Point Person for communication with Campus Ministries and Residence Life. This person will be responsible for the following:
- Turning in monthly reports on House Covenant Goals and Community Builder Forms to Campus Ministries
- Coordinating a mid-year and year-end presentation to the Ministry Leadership House Committee
- Coordinating house meetings for regular updates and discussions as needed
- Bringing any needs to Residence Life and Campus Ministries
- Checking campus email regularly for announcements and updates