| Behavioral Covenant for the Session |  |
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Christiansburg Presbyterian Church
Behavioral Covenant for the Session
-- adopted by the Session on June 10, 2003 --
Believing that God has called us to this ministry through the voice of the congregation, we promise to treat our work as a spiritual opportunity for vital service to our church.
We promise to
• demonstrate leadership and commitment to our church by our example.
• try to discover what is best for our church as a whole, not what may be best for us or for some small group in the church.
• come to meetings on time and prepared, having read materials and spent time in prayer prior to the meeting.
• speak about service on the Session with positive enthusiasm.
• consider all of the work of the Session as important work.
Believing that we all desire to be faithful to Jesus Christ, we promise to treat each other with respect.
We promise to
• keep our conversations and communication open for candid and forthright exchanges.
• ask questions or make statements in a way that will not intimidate or judge others.
• state what we think we heard and ask for clarification before responding, in an effort to be sure we understand each other.
• focus on ideas and suggestions instead of questioning people’s motives, intelligence or integrity.
• practice tact and diplomacy by using gentleness and kindness.
• consider the possibility, when others disagree with us, that we might be wrong.
• indicate where we agree with each other in our discussions as well as where we disagree.
• be sensitive to the feelings and concerns of those who do not agree with the majority and respect their rights of conscience.
• respect the final decision of the Session, whether it reflects our view or not.
• support and encourage each other in our work and personal life.
Believing that the Holy Spirit is present and will guide us, we promise to listen attentively as we seek the vision God holds for us.
We promise to
• pray, alone and together, to thank God and to ask for God’s help in our lives and in our work for our church, and we promise to listen for God’s answer to us.
• include our disagreements in our prayers, not praying for the triumph of our viewpoints, but seeking God’s grace to listen carefully, to speak clearly, and to remain open to others. 
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