Discipline Policy

As Christians taking seriously what God’s word says about living in Christian community, we practice discipline as needed in the Real Life program. Our discipline policy is based on ideas reflected in 1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 18 and parallels. There we read that participation in church life is contingent on living within certain boundaries.

We all sin, and we don't expect any student in Real Life will be free of sin. But we do expect that when we run into trouble morally, we adopt a repentant attitude and carry on with our sanctification. When any student is unable to make progress, even in a serious area of personal sin, that student is demonstrating that he or she is not yet ready for a program like Real Life. In such cases, the leadership of Real Life, in consultation with Xenos elders and the student’s parents (where appropriate) may call on the student to withdraw from the program.

Serious sin areas like sexual immorality, drug abuse or drunkenness signal lack of readiness for this program. While we are willing to counsel and help those troubled by habits, Real Life is not the place for basic addiction therapy.

Another area of concern would be failure to carry out the various responsibilities inherent in the Real Life program. For instance, Real Life students live in ministry houses, and rent is due each month. Likewise, they have house responsibilities, like doing a rotating house cleaning job and attending a weekly house dinner. Students are also responsible to meet with their mentors on a regular basis and take Bible classes. Failure in any of these areas is not necessarily grounds for removal from the program. However, continued failure could result in warning, or, if problems are not addressed, removal from the program.

All the obligations inherent in the Real Life program are described in the memo of agreement students sign at the time of enrollment in the program. When appropriate, parents will be made aware of any serious problems.