A distinctive characteristic of YWAM is community living, which we refer to as our ‘live-learn environment’. It involves sharing, preferring others, sacrifice, commitment and fellowship, but most of all, a daily focus on Jesus. Community living demands a greater tolerance for others and provides wonderful opportunities to be refined. The following guidelines are not arbitrarily chosen but a necessary part of community living, designed with a purpose.
We ask for your cooperation in building strong community. Please familiarize yourself with these requirements, and indicate your agreement to abide by them while you are with YWAM Lebanon by signing and returning a copy of this document to our office.
1. Alcohol/Tobacco/Cannabis/Drug Use: During this six month period, there can be no use of alcohol, tobacco/cannabis products, illegal drugs or abuse of legal drugs -- either on or off the base.
2. Dress: Dress should be neat in appearance and modest. Our desire is to promote holiness--drawing attention to the glory of God in our dress and manner. Shorts and skirts should be modest length. Midriffs and chests must be fully covered. Please avoid exposed underwear (that includes straps, ladies, and boxers, men!). Pajamas are not to be worn in common areas during working hours or when hanging out with others. In situations when swimwear is appropriate, we ask that men not wear Speedos and women wear modest one-piece swimsuits. Remember that we are a missionary sending platform and you represent not only yourself, but the ministry of Youth With A Mission; and the Body of Christ.
3. By law, footwear is required in the kitchen at all times.
4. Romantic Relationships: Each student comes to their UofN course for a specific training goal, committing this time to the Lord. Romantic relationships naturally consume time, focus, and energy, distracting from the original purpose of your training program.
In light of this, we ask that romantic relationships NOT be started during your UofN course. If you find yourself interested in someone, please wait until the school is finished to pursue anything more than friendship. We also ask that you NOT share your feelings with that person.
If you are already in a dating relationship, please inform the school leader, and consider a ‘pause’ in your relationship to focus on the Lord. YWAM has no interest in controlling dating relationships, but does want to see each student receive all God has for them during this special time.
5. Sunday through Thursday you are to be in your dorm room with lights out by 11, Friday and Saturday by midnight. Please be sensitive to others with different sleeping patterns—lamps are a great option. We expect students to be well rested for classes. The base internet is switched off from 11 pm to 6:30 am. and we ask your cooperation in also turning off all personal devices at night.
6. Dorms: There are to be no men in the women’s rooms, and no women in the men’s rooms. You will be expected to keep your personal area clean and in order.
7. Piercings/Tattoos: We recommend that you not get pierced or tattooed during your YWAM school or outreach location. Definitely no tattooing or piercings while in foreign countries!
8. Media: Our aim is to disentangle ourselves from media control and wholeheartedly pursue
radical discipleship. Our devices continue to demand more of our time and affections, so we want to be sharp and alert about distractions. In light of this:
· DTS classes are ‘unplugged’ (which means all personal devices are left outside the classroom). Computers may be used to take notes, but it is expected that you will not be online during class time. Our hope is that if we can silence some of the voices around us, we may be able to hear God better.
· Please refrain from using personal devices at mealtimes in honor of one another.
· We ask that only Christian music be played in public common areas.
· Movies may be played on weekends with PG ratings (and appropriate content) and below. Contact school staff for group viewing.
· Let the Holy Spirit be your guide, as you consider others above yourself. Remember we have children at the base, and we want to be good examples.
General consideration of each other is the key to harmonious living. We will all be in close quarters. Let’s prefer one another in love.
We will endeavor to uphold these rules and guidelines by following the Biblical pattern for discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15. We appreciate your cooperation in being a part of our ‘live-learn’ environment. Thank you!
These guidelines are constantly being evaluated. Please ask if you need more understanding for any of these guidelines. Don’t assume that a guideline no longer applies because you see someone doing otherwise.