Student Discipline

The freedom of the BSSM environment requires a high level of self-management. One definition of freedom we like is “I am able to tell myself what to do and make myself do it.” It’s called self-control. We don’t want a “controlling culture” but we expect to partner with you to create a holy and accountable one. We want to pastor you in such a way that the Holy Spirit “fruit” of self-control blossoms in your life. If it is normal for you to be externally motivated and controlled, that’s going to have to change ASAP as that style (alone) likely won’t work for you the rest of your life and ministry. You are on a path to being internally governed by the Spirit and the core values you’ve committed to; you’re on track to perform for an audience of One, to do all unto the glory of God, though our leaders and our teaching will likely highlight areas that you can improve.

Wherever we employ the “honor system” like going on a prayer walk, we have designed it to do just that—to build your HONOR. This only works if you are absolutely truthful, so build your integrity one “yes”, one report, one check box at a time. Oswald Chambers said, “My worth to God in public is what I am in private.”

If you are struggling to make wise and loving choices, your mentor, fellow students, and Third Year staff may confront you about any situation or person that needs to be addressed as quickly and directly as possible. This confrontation is designed to help draw out the greatness within you. If these confrontations don’t bring the needed change and help flip on the internal “control switch” in your heart, you might find yourself in the following situation. (Note: Sinful choices are more destructive than merely poor choices about homework etc., so we handle them a little more proactively.) If, after your mentor or Third Year staff confront you and you’re still not changing and growing, we have a problem. Pretty soon you are going to run headlong into a “Homework Milestone” or some financial deadline and that’ll bring its own consequences. Or your behavior might sufficiently scare or hurt someone, so we no longer feel like geniuses empowering you or, for the time being, having you around. You might decide to behave your way out of the organization. That would be a bummer, but you are powerful and free to make that choice. We believe that eventually in life you’ll get a vision, more insight, or enough pain to allow the fruit of self-control to ripen!