The St. Luke’s Principles of Community

and

The Four Permissions

 

ST. LUKE’S PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY


These are the ethical and behavioral guidelines that provide direction for our relationships and life together as a parish community.  They, along with our love for God, are the foundation of our life as a parish.  If we consciously and deliberately live into them, we will be blessed and our congregation will prosper.  If we ignore them, we may injure one another, destroy our trust in one another, and diminish our witness to the community in which we live. 


The world is watching us.  We are the only Jesus people will see.


  1. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I participate with courage and honesty in the process of examining my own spiritual health and that of my spiritual community.

  2. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I practice direct, honest, and gentle communication, especially with those with whom I disagree or who have injured me.  Gossip, triangulation, and the forming of coalitions are never options I choose.

  3. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I accept others as they are and defend their right to be and think differently than I.

  4. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I respond to disagreements and misunderstandings by doing all I can to listen to, understand, and respect the one with whom I disagree.  When I have injured another, I will seek forgiveness and reconciliation.

  5. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I use my speech to encourage and affirm others. 

  6. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I seek to understand and respect the decisions of those in authority in my spiritual community and to cooperate with them in the building up of the Body of Christ.

  7. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I demonstrate openness, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to the challenges and changes that I face.

  8. ❖I am an expression of God’s love as I practice gratitude, faith, hope, and love in all circumstances, at all times.


The 4 Permissions

At. St. Luke's, you have permission to:

  1. ✦Say "No" to any request,

  2. ✦Ask for what you need,

  3. ✦Make mistakes,

  4. ✦Question anything you have been taught or assumed to be true up until now.