1. We are quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
2. We believe the best about each other when motives are unknown.
3. We don’t gossip. We practice open, honest, direct communication.
4. We speak the truth in love.
5. We allow room for mistakes, understanding failure is a necessary condition of our human nature.
6. We ask for forgiveness when we do harm.
7. We forgive as God has forgiven us in Christ.
8. We don’t avoid conflict, because sometimes it’s necessary. We address it and pursue reconciliation.
9. We seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

As a Vision Partner, you inevitably represent LifeBridge Church and Jesus, the head of the church, to some degree. This added responsibility is one I hope you welcome. It comes with several important considerations:

1. Be mindful of actions that you may not consider sinful but others might find offensive. In such cases, it's better to limit your freedom for the benefit of others. This follows Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 8-9 and Romans 14. For example:
   1. Alcohol - You may not be convicted about drinking alcohol, making it permissible for you. However, others may be convicted about it, making it a sin for them. Be sensitive to this when dining with them or in public settings.
   2. Attire - People have varying views on appropriate church attire. If your definition is less conservative, consider dressing more modestly than usual to avoid unnecessarily offending others.
   3. Social media - You certainly have the right to comment on social issues, politics, and theology on social media. However, knowing that others in the church, whom you love, may be reading this, it would be wise to consider how you word things so as not to unnecessarily offend and cause division. It would also be wise to avoid hot takes and consider if this medium is the best way to communicate the message.
2. When someone offends us, we must be careful about applying Matthew 18 appropriately. It would be unwise, for instance, to advise an abused woman to confront her abuser alone. Additionally, we sometimes approach others thinking they've "sinned against us" when actually we're just annoyed by their different standards—standards that may fall within the bounds of Christian freedom. Before approaching someone, take time to examine your true motives. We are called to speak the truth in love. Discussing the situation with a trusted friend or counselor beforehand can help clarify your intentions. Here are some questions to guide your discernment:
   1. Did they truly sin against me, or do we simply have different perspectives on a matter of Christian freedom?
   2. Is what I plan to say motivated by genuine love, or am I just trying to make myself feel better?
   3. Am I the best person to address this issue, or would they receive feedback better from someone else in the church?
   4. Who can I consult with before addressing the issue with the individual?

Scripture References

Matthew 18:15–20 15“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Micah 6:8 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

James 1:19–20 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:15 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Colossians 3:13 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.