The Father’s House AG Church (TFHAG) Christian code of ethics recognizes love as the essential quality to be nurtured and exercised in the pursuit of ethical behaviour within and outside the Church assembly. The love of God is the preeminent focus with the love of others and love of self (or self-worth, self-respect) being the next most important factors in determining appropriate conduct. TFHAG expects each individual to produce character of responsibility, pure attitude and mutual understanding - in relation to God, others and self. The Church expects every member to be in discipline and in-subordination to the authority of the Church leadership. Progressive growth is expected always as each member is evaluated from time to time by the immediate elder(s) or deacon(ess). A further benefit of the code of conduct for the TFHAG members is that; it constitutes an agreed standard of behaviour whereby a member character may be assessed. Failure to behave in an acceptable manner may indicate a lack of wisdom or a wayward attitude. The display of such conduct reveal or result in a character flaw. Determining attitude is the crucial factor and foundation for making the correct decision when confronted with an ethical dilemma. Therefore, the code of conduct defines the key attitudes which should prevail in the TFHAG member;
1. ATTITUDE EXPECTED FROM MEMBERS.
1.1. LOVING - John 13:35, 1 Peter 1:22
An attitude of love is the yardstick of a true follower of Christ. Willingness to serve and not to be served comes out from pure love out of faith.
1.2. HUMBLE - Philippians 2:3-8, James 4:6-10
Humility is the mark of a mature Christian and must pursue for it.
1.3. MERCIFUL - Mathew 18:21-35, Luke 6:36
Because of the mercy of God, we escaped the judgment of God. So, we must be kind and merciful to others.
1.4. GRACE-FILLED - 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Corinthians 8:7-9
God not only shows us mercy but favour and blessing which are likewise.
1.5. TEACHABLE - Proverbs 1:5; Colossians 3:16
Must attain perseverance as we progress in the Church life. We believe teachable quality is produced through acceptance and submission to the teachings of the TFHAG Church.
1.6. ACCOUNTABLE - Romans 14:12; Hebrew 3:13
Accountability to God and man must be proven as long as the member is in fellowship with TFHAG.
1.7. RESPECTFUL - 1 Peter 2:17; Romans 12:10
Must respect one another irrespective of gender, colour, language and race.
1.8. SUBMISSIVE - 1 Peter 2:13, 14; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13
Must be willing to submit to godly leadership and our acceptance of God-ordained discipline.
2. DRESS CODE - 1 Timothy 2:9
Modesty in dressing is a must in the Church. All clothes must be clean and in good shape. Discernible rips, tears or holes are not allowed for both gender. The exposed body tends to arouse improper thoughts in both wearer and onlooker. To avoid such instances, TFHAG set these modesty guidelines for men and women;
WOMEN
2.1. No slacks because they immodestly reveal the feminine contours of upper leg, thigh and hip.
2.2. No low necklines.
2.3. No very tight or very thin clothes.
2.4. No dress hemlines at or above the knee.
2.5. No shorts are allowed during worship service.
MEN
2.6. No shorts are allowed during worship service.
2.7. Should not grow hair below ear.
3. PUBLIC CONDUCT - Mathew 5:16, 1 John 1:6-7
3.1. TFHAG members should appear and behave properly inside the Church, and in the public places. Should not engage in gambling, immoral activity or quarrel.
3.2. Must be a good example to others and behave consciously in the public arena, knowing that you represent TFHAG church family and the Kingdom of God.
4. RESPONSIBILITIES TO GOD
4.1. Must be prayerful, a regular worshipper and a Bible meditator.
4.2. Must possess an obedient and sincere heart to the command of God.
4.3. Must have a lifestyle that is fully pleasing and glorifying God.
4.4. Must honour and thank the Lord God for every talent and ability, never to take any credit.
5. RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHERS
5.1. FAMILY
5.1.1. Must be responsible for the family unity, love and care.
5.1.2. Must respect, protect, love, submit and help one another.
5.1.3. Must keep a day in a week to maintain the bonding between each members of the family.
5.1.4. Must hold minimum one prayer fellowship daily according to the availability of family members’.
5.1.5. Must take initiative to give counselling to the family members or obtain counselling through the church elders responsible for your congregation; matters of spiritual interest or any difficulty.
5.2. CONGREGATION
5.2.1. Must display love, faith and integrity in a way which will inspire and assist others to follow Jesus Christ.
5.2.2. Must avoid any destructive behaviour like starting or passing gossip.
5.2.3. Do not circulate false information or defame a person's integrity
5.3. COMMUNITY
5.3.1. Never to engage in any conspiracy including any form of talk or message written or electronically send against the Rulers of the Kingdom of Bahrain or any other nation.
5.3.2. Must respect the law and order of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its rulers, leaders and officials at all times.
5.3.3. Never curse Israel as they are our spiritual brothers
5.3.4. Must attempt to live a life that is above reproach, giving attention to such matters as paying bills on time, renewal of registration of the vehicle as is due, renewal of official documents for residence, being punctual for appointments, displaying courtesy and good manners towards others.
5.3.5. Be careful to relate to the opposite sex.
5.3.6. Should not misappropriate funds of others or any organization.
5.4. TFHAG CHURCH
5.4.1. Must work towards the Objectives, Vision and Mission of the Church.
5.4.2. Each TFHAG member should actively engage in spreading the gospel to the non-born again community at any time anywhere consciously.
5.4.3. Must attend all the fasting prayers and at least one corporate service in a month and partake in the Holy Communion.
5.4.4. Must uphold and live by the core values of the Church, i.e., Word-based, dynamic faith, stable spirituality, selfless service, readiness to the return of Jesus Christ.
5.4.5. Do not pass comments against the Church or the leaders according to your understanding. Be loyal to the Church at all times.
5.4.6. Must be a giver of First fruits, Tithes, Freewill offerings so as the church can function effectively.
5.4.7. Chewing gum inside the Church building is strictly prohibited.
5.4.8. Give due respect to the pastoral elders, leaders and governing executives in the TFHAG church, praying for them and submitting to their leadership.
5.4.9. You may not always agree with the policies or approach of the leaders above you, yet you will not allow yourself to react in a way which would undermine their authority or cause personal offence. However, you can follow the practice of reporting your grievances to the senior pastor at all times through the Executive Secretary to the Pastor's office.
6. RESPONSIBILITY TO SELF
6.1. Should not be consuming alcohol or its derivatives at any time or anywhere.
6.2. Smoking of tobacco products is strictly prohibited inside and outside of the Church irrespective of gender.
6.3. Intake of drugs in any form is prohibited for TFHAG members.
6.4. Shall not at any time watch pornography, gambling, immorality, quarrel and any other activities which are demeaning or destructive to the integrity and spiritual growth.
6.5. It is the responsibility of the TFHAG members to brief the accompanying visitors to any Church service about the general code of conduct.
6.6. Advice the accompanying visitor not to partake from the Table of the Lord, if they are not born again, water baptized and a consistent believer of Jesus Christ.