Philosophy of Discipline

The purpose of discipline within the Bethel community is to help students live in harmony with community expectations; grow in relationship to God and other community members; and become people who are whole, holy, and wise. We seek to be redemptive and restorative in ways that are helpful to the individual and beneficial to the community. Discipline within our community provides an opportunity for a student to examine his or her choices within the context of grace as we work to facilitate restoration of the individual to God and to the community. At the same time, we desire that discipline would increase the student’s commitment to Bethel’s Covenant for Life Together and educate students about their value to the Bethel community and their responsibility to it.

Our goal is to meet the student as an individual, assessing motivations, repentance, teachability, and needs in order to determine an appropriate consequence for any offense. A plan for continued accountability may be implemented. While we need to address the student’s behavior, our desire is to speak to the condition of the “heart” in ways that foster real change (Hebrews 12:11).

In our disciplinary processes, we seek to apply the biblical principles of Matthew 18:15-17. Out of respect for our tradition and a spirit of consideration for one another, each member of the community is accountable to the others. It is assumed that members will choose to be self-disciplined and hold themselves personally accountable for the community standards. If that fails, other community members and especially friends should assume responsibility to confront those not meeting Bethel’s expectations.

At Bethel, it is not acceptable to participate in events at which others from the Bethel community are violating the Covenant for Life Together. It is expected that concerned students will speak to the offending student(s) about their behavior and remove themselves from the situation. They should encourage any student(s) in violation of the Bethel Covenant to seek accountability, counsel, and help under our non-disciplinary policy.

We are all expected to encourage and support one another in upholding the standards of the community. If, after expressing concern and offering help through confrontation, the problem seems to be of a serious and/or continuing nature, referral should be made to the student life staff.

While we are committed to the individual student, we have a responsibility and commitment to the health and safety of the community. Because an individual’s behavior affects others within our community, disciplinary consequences will be decided based on what is best for the community as well as the individual.

Our desire is that students, faculty, and others within the Bethel community will approach the student development staff with confidence that they will be received gracefully, listened and attended to, and encouraged toward growth (Hebrews 12:14-15).

We recognize that we all have sin in our lives and that none of us are in a place to judge another (Matthew 7:1; James 4:12). We encourage all members of Bethel’s community to respond to one another with a spirit of grace and forgiveness (Galatians 6:1).