Version User Scope of changes
Jan 10 2007, 11:28 AM EST (current) Anonymous 22 words added
Jan 7 2007, 2:48 PM EST MarthaMitchell

Changes

Key:  Additions   Deletions

ISSUES OF PERSONAL CHOICE
We understand that smoking and drinking are not specifically prohibited by scripture and that the debate will continue on whether or not Christians ought to smoke/drink. Our position on the use of tobacco and alcohol during projects is not based on biblical mandate, rather it is born out of our experience in cross-cultural ministry. Because of this, Global Outreach has adopted the following policies from Mission to the World of the Presbyterian Church in America.



DRINKING
THE USE OR PURCHASE OF ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED. PARTICIPANTS WHO USE OR PURCHASE ALCOHOL WILL BE SENT HOME AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE.

SMOKING
NO SMOKING WILL BE ALLOWED. The following reasons have brought us to this position:
  1. Cultural sensitivity dictates this policy. In most of our foreign projects, smoking is viewed by the nationals we work with as inappropriate behavior for Christians. Since we are guests in their country and do not want to do anything that would compromise their witness, we defer to their standards and norms.
  2. If someone is smoking on a project, it doesn’t take long for the energies of the group to be directed, in part, to the conflict this creates and thus draws the focus away from the primary task.
  3. In many of our project locations, there are restrictions against smoking in some housing and campus areas we will be using. Our experience shows that when smokers participate they tend to withdraw from the team in order to find a location where they can smoke. This works against the very goal of team unity we are attempting to nurture on these projects.
Some may object by saying we have not remained neutral on an issue where no clear absolute exists. In situations such as this there is no neutral position. Given the reasons stated above, we believe that the overall interest of the project is best served by this prohibition.


DATING
It is MTW/IMPACT policy that "dating" or coupling on short-term projects is not allowed. The purpose of the short-term experience is to concentrate on your personal relationship with the Lord and to work together as a team. Dating hinders these objectives and will cause one to possible forfeit a life-changing experience.