How We Work
We are committed to serving others with integrity within their needs and interest, and three key policies undergird how we do this
The Living Leadership Relational Commitments
The Living Leadership Relational Commitments are the set of principles to which all our ministry staff, Associates and Affiliates subscribe. They include principles about how we work with Christians and churches whose theology and practice in matters that are not covered by our Statement of Faith are not identical to their own. There are two key parts to these principles:
a) Our work is governed by our Statements of Faith and Ethos
Living Leadership is confessionally orthodox and Protestant, as reflected in our Statement of Faith, which contains matters we consider primary to the Christian faith but is deliberately minimal. It is not intended to be a comprehensive catechism or creed but rather to function as a basis for unity.
The Statement of Faith is, therefore, silent on a wide variety of issues of doctrine and practice that evangelicals have historically agreed do not need to compromise gospel unity and collaboration, such as matters of church governance, baptism, the nature and operation of certain gifts of the Spirit, and which leadership positions in the Church are open to women. Within our network are people who hold to various positions on these matters. Our activities welcome people with a variety of positions and we will endeavour to ensure that discussion around these issues is conducted in love and in a way that does not distract from the purpose of the activity or cause anyone who agrees with our Statement of Faith to feel unwelcome.
We are willing to accept invitations to serve (but not to partner formally with) those who do not agree with our Statement of Faith, but on such occasions, we are clear about the basis from which we serve.
Our Statement of Ethos describes the kind of leadership we wish to model and to develop in others. Grace, Christ-like character, servanthood, experiencing and exemplifying the love of God, making disciples and identity-in-Christ are all foundational to our understanding of Christian leadership. We are passionate about developing sound biblical and theological knowledge and strong ministry skills, but always built on these foundations.
b) We do not dictate belief or practice to churches or leaders
When we support Christian leaders and churches, we seek to serve within their concerns and ways of working. Our aim is to help leaders and churches thrive in their context under Christ, not to dictate to or direct them.
We may give advice to leaders when it is requested. In doing so, we will always encourage them to submit to the Lord’s authority by obeying Scripture and prayerfully seeking the Spirit's leading. We will never undermine the properly appointed leadership in a church or organisation we serve. Nor will we ever suggest a course of action to a leader that would bypass established accountability structures and decision-making processes in his/her church or organisation.
Our value of grace leads us to do our best to avoid contention, even when we need to disagree with others. In all work in the name of Living Leadership, we expect employees and Associates to handle issues of contention within evangelicalism sensitively and graciously. We also expect Affiliates to operate this way in their work in their contexts as our partners.
Our Code of Conduct for Interpersonal Ministry
The Living Leadership 'Code of Conduct for Interpersonal Ministry' establishes ethical principles and boundaries around the relationships through which our staff and associates provide pastoral care and mentoring for individuals, couples and small groups.
Our Safeguarding Policy
The Living Leadership 'Safeguarding Policy' describes our approach to disclosures about abuse and allegations of abusive behaviour by people working in the name of Living Leadership.
