ASCENSION A COMMUNITY OF FAITH

Standards of Fellowship

By attending any event or function sponsored by Ascension a Community of Faith you agree to these Standards of Conduct.

1. ~ Show mutual respect for each other in attitude and communication.

2. ~ Follow all rules and policies set by the congregation; this includes instructions from ministry staff and leadership.

Within the fellowship of Ascension a Community of Faith the following actions are forbidden:

1. Abuse physically, emotionally or sexually, as a pattern of practice in private life or in congregational settings;

   1. Any abuse physically, emotionally or sexually that occurs at the Guilderland Ave. site will, by contract with Messiah Lutheran Church, be reported to Messiah’s Church Safety Team and responses will be coordinated between the congregations.

2. Harassing, stalking, or bullying another person in the congregational fellowship within or without the venues of congregational ministries either physically or virtually, including cyberbullying, flaming, doxing, or trolling;

3. Any pattern of disruptive behavior within the physically or virtual ministry context of the congregation or its associated ministries to the extent that it degrades the value of ministry or prohibits the enjoyment thereof by those in attendance or those in the immediate environment;

4. Using the network of relationships within the Community for the harvesting of people for multi-level or network businesses.

5. Theft (even petty theft) of church property, including use without permission.

6. Theft (even petty theft) of personal property of members or those in attendance on church-owed property or at events sponsored by the church;

7. Propagation of beliefs not in alignment with the tenants of faith, beliefs, or theological positions of the Ascension Community;

8. Any overt behavior that is not in harmony with the beliefs and tenants of faith of the congregation.

9. Distribution of any materials at ministry events or functions that are not approved by congregational leadership. This includes fliers, advertisements, instructional leaflets, propaganda or links to any of such materials. Anything distributed with links or QR Codes to such material online are considered to be the same as distributing the material physically.

Anyone taking such actions will be subject to counseling as to why these behaviors are inappropriate and could lead to expulsion or blocking from physical or digital spaces.

In the event where congregational leadership deems it is warranted Ascension reserves the right to contact law enforcement to respond to any incident.