STEIGER COVENANT

The purpose of the Steiger Covenant is to have a shared understanding and agreement about who we are, what we believe, what we do and how we do it.

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1. Steiger - A Shared Mission

By agreeing to this covenant, you are acknowledging that God has called you to be a part of Steiger. As a worldwide mission organization, we are committed to a common God-given vision and mission – something that we cannot achieve alone. Though we have different gifts and talents, each of us has a specific and important role to play.  Together, we are stronger than we are apart.

As a healthy body, we must remain interconnected and in line with the overall vision and mission of Steiger, so that we are all moving in the same direction together. The way in which our ministries express themselves will be unique to our circumstances, personalities, cultural differences, and gifting, but our core mission, vision, and values are the same.

As a Christian Mission organization, we expect all Board members, missionaries, staff and interns (referred to as “our people” in the rest of this document) to: 

• Maintain a firm commitment to Steiger’s vision, mission, values, and beliefs.
• Agree to and sign this Mission Covenant, including our Mission, Vision, Values, Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct.
• Display a growing and mature faith in Jesus Christ.

 2. Our Mission

To reach and disciple the Global Youth Culture for Jesus
What started out as a dynamic ministry reaching the young people of Amsterdam, has grown into a worldwide mission organization called to reach and disciple the Global Youth Culture for Jesus.

Today, we are active in many cities around the globe, bridging the gap between the Church and the Global Youth Culture by establishing Steiger City Teams. We mobilize followers of Jesus to reach young people who would not walk into a church.

3. Our Vision

To transform the Global Youth Culture by establishing Steiger City Teams throughout the world. 

A Steiger City Team is a dynamic, bold and multi-gifted team that is specialized in reaching the Global Youth Culture of their city. They are a catalytic force for engaging secularized culture with four key objectives. To:

• Equip and unify the local church to effectively reach young people of their communities.
• Raise up the next generation of Christian leaders and influencers.
• Transform the culture by being relationally present and engaging in bold, creative evangelism in the secular scene.
• Multiply the impact by fostering a culture of “disciples who make disciples, who make disciples”.

4. Core Values

Steiger is experiencing explosive growth around the world and, while this is exciting, we recognize that it comes with a danger of forgetting who we are and how we got here.

We have prayerfully identified six core values which anchor us, even as our strategies may change in relationship to the context that we are in. All of those who represent Steiger around the world can be identified by their commitment to these core values. They are: 

• Seek God
• Preach the Cross
• Be Relevant
• Strive for Holiness
• Have Courage
• We Are Family

a. SEEK GOD
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

We believe that God rewards those who seek Him with a desperate heart. We know that if God takes His hand off us, we are dead, and that without His power, our efforts to reach people will fail. It is not our plans or strategies that change the world, but the infusion of God’s power into all He asks us to do.

With this in mind we push ourselves and each other to desperately seek God through diligent prayer, in-depth study of His Word, and passionate worship.

b. PREACH THE CROSS

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." - 1 Corinthians 2:2

The world is broken, and people are hurt and lost. This is the consequence of our sin and rebellion, and only Jesus’ death and resurrection can break the power it has over us.

That’s why we will always preach ‘Christ and Him crucified,’ believing that when we do, God unleashes His power and lives are changed.

Because culture and contexts are always changing, we are always asking God for relevant ways to preach the Cross, while recognizing that it will always be foolish and difficult.

c. BE RELEVANT

"I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." - 1 Corinthians 9:22

Jesus was relevant, and we aim to model ourselves after Him. He knew people in an intimate way, and because of this, He was able to communicate His message powerfully.

We want to do the same. We push beyond the surface to connect with people. We share our lives, and in the process, God breaks our hearts for them.

Only then can we communicate the message of the Cross in a language that the Global Youth Culture will understand. While at the same time, never changing, obscuring, or omitting the biblical Gospel message.

Relevance is never about popularity - it’s about clarity; wanting nothing to obscure the Gospel from being understood.

d. STRIVE FOR HOLINESS

“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” - 2 Timothy 2:20-21

God has called us to go outside the Church and to share our lives with those who are far from Him, without conforming to the moral standards of the world.

In Steiger, we value a holy and pure lifestyle out of a sincere desire to obey and serve God. We take sin seriously, embrace accountability, and hold each other to high standards.

We strive for holiness, in the hope that nothing in our lives will be a barrier to God using us to share His love with the Global Youth Culture.

e. HAVE COURAGE

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” - Acts 4:13

You can have a broken heart for the lost, pray desperately, and have a deep understanding of the people you are trying to reach, but without courage, you will do nothing.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather a willingness to step through fear. Steiger believes this courage comes from a deep trust in God and His promises, developed by diligent study of His Word and daily commitment to seeking Him.

Steiger seeks the courage to defy conventional thinking, ask for extraordinary things of God, speak the truth boldly even if it is not popular, take great risks, and sacrifice safety, security and reputation all for the sake of the Gospel.

f. WE ARE FAMILY

"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Cor 12:26

We are called to reach the Global Youth Culture for Jesus, but we cannot do it as individuals. On our own, we lack the needed gifts, insights, and abilities to see God's work fully accomplished through us. 

Together, we are stronger than we will ever be apart!

We are not just co-workers - we are family. This means we care for each other, have each other’s backs, and stick together in good and hard times.

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5. Organizational Commitments

We recognize that as a mission organization that seeks to radically and eternally change the world, we must have strong infrastructure, organization, and strategic planning. Our plans for Steiger in general and our ministries specifically must always come out of significant time spent diligently seeking God (Hebrews 11:6).

We acknowledge that if God is not guiding us, no amount of strategy, planning, or goal-setting will matter (John 15:5). We never want to become “professional Christians” who depend on human methodology rather than the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not a "brand" or "subject" we study or promote. He is a holy and personal God who  wants a relationship with us above all else. We hold our plans with a loose grip, open to changes the Holy Spirit might bring.

a. LEADERSHIP/ACCOUNTABILITY
We recognize the need for leadership and external accountability to ensure that we are staying true to our mission and living with moral integrity. In order to grow, we acknowledge that remaining teachable, humble, and willing to submit to feedback and direction is essential.

All of our people with Steiger submit to two levels of accountability:

i. Leader/Manager - oversees what you do with Steiger, provides guidance and direction, reviews your activity and ensures that you are staying true to your calling and Steiger’s overall mission. This leader will pray for you, regularly review your activities and goals, and provide honest feedback and encouragement.

ii. Pastoral Carer - Good pastoral care is needed to ensure the well-being of your spiritual, moral, emotional, and relational health. Being honest, transparent and vulnerable with the person providing your pastoral care is absolutely essential. All missionaries, interns, and staff members in key positions are required to have someone they meet with regularly (at least once a month) for their pastoral care. All people providing pastoral care are expected to sign our “Expectations of Pastoral Carers” document.

If you are unsure if you need to have a formal pastoral care relationship (this only relates to some staff, as ALL missionaries and interns are required to have this in place), please talk with your Leader.

b. REPORTING, METRICS AND FINANCES
Strong reporting and financial accountability is important to ensure that we maintain solid ministry and financial integrity.

It is expected that reporting on all ministry related activity, including the tracking of finances and the recording and reporting of metrics, will be done in accordance with Steiger policy, providing a true and faithful account of the situation.

All Steiger missionaries and staff are required to submit an Annual Review, which will be distributed in the first quarter of each year. All reviews are expected to be completed honestly and with integrity. 

c. COMMUNICATION
In Steiger, we value professionalism in communication. As an interconnected body working towards a common vision and mission, strong communication is essential. We expect high standards of communication with those inside and outside of Steiger.

You therefore agree to:

• use your @steiger.org email address for all Steiger communication (both sending and receiving). This is for both professionalism and security.
• make every effort to return emails, messages, phone calls, etc. in a timely manner.
• attend meetings (whether in-person or virtually) on time and prepared.
• make sure that your financial and prayer supporters receive regular communication and gratitude for their partnership.

d. CONFLICT RESOLUTION
We acknowledge that since Steiger is made up of imperfect people, there will occasionally be conflict, which is an inevitable reality of our fallen world. The key is dealing with conflict well - acting with grace and humility, honoring God and each other.

You agree to take the Matthew 18:15-17 approach to conflict resolution, starting with these seven steps:

1. If there is conflict (do not be easily offended. i.e let trivial things go)
2. You (no third parties)
3. Go (as soon as possible)
4. To the person (no gossip)
5. In private
6. And discuss the problem (be specific and direct)
7. For the purpose of reconciliation (forgive easily)

You agree to fully participate in any conflict resolution process initiated in which you are one of the parties involved. Abdicating from, avoiding or delaying this process will not be accepted.

More information on the conflict resolution process and additional steps that may need to be taken, can be found in Steiger’s Conflict Resolution Policy.

e. CODE OF CONDUCT
As a missionary, board member, intern, team or staff member of Steiger, you are called to public ministry and a high standard of holiness. You represent Steiger to the outside world even if you are not participating in a ministry activity. As such, you must be willing to forgo some of your rights and freedoms for the sake of reaching and discipling the lost.

You agree to adhere to Steiger’s Code of Conduct. Please open this document and sign your agreement.

6. Statement of Faith

As Steiger missionaries, board members, interns and staff, it is very important that we maintain biblical theological views. Therefore, all our people must be in alignment with Steiger’s Statement of Faith, which is as follows:.

1. Steiger believes the Bible is the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

What does this mean? The Bible is authoritative. We look to the Bible as our source for truth, not our feelings, experiences or the culture around us. If these things (feelings, experiences, culture) do not align with the Bible, we submit to the authority of the Bible. This is why a daily, personal study of the Bible is essential.

2. Steiger believes in the deity and humanity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present rule as Head of the Church and in His personal return in power and glory.

What does this mean: The biblical account of Jesus is often challenged or disputed. For example, Jesus is usually accepted as a good, moral teacher and historical figure, but people refute that He is God, his virgin birth, his sinless life, miracles, the death and resurrection on the cross and that He is still alive today. We acknowledge that all these things are true.

3. Steiger believes that for the salvation of lost and sinful human beings, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.

What does this mean: We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and we can not make ourselves clean. We acknowledge that we are in need of atonement for our sins that Jesus provided for us by His death on the cross and resurrection on the third day.

4. Steiger believes in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

What does this mean: We believe that the Holy Spirit and His gifts are available to believers. We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers all believers with a variety of gifts and abilities for the edification of the Church, the glory of God and to reach the lost.

5. Steiger believes in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

What does this mean: We believe in the reality of heaven and hell. Those who do not believe and surrender their lives to Jesus will spend eternity in hell and those who do trust in Him will spend eternity in heaven.

6. Steiger believes that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

What does this mean: We embrace the mystery of the Trinity, and believe that the God who revealed Himself in Scripture and through Jesus Christ is One God in three persons.

7. Steiger believes in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, with equality across racial, gender and class differences.

What does this mean: Everyone has been created by God and therefore bears the image of God. It is this image of God that gives every person their value, no matter who they are or what they have done. Sin has stained this image and brought about barriers of division between God and every individual and between each person and their neighbor. In Christ, the image is restored and the barriers of separation are removed, so we are able to relate to God and to one another with love and acceptance, recognizing the true value in each other.

8. We believe that God established marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman for the purposes of fellowship, mutual aid, reproduction and sexual intimacy.

What does this mean: We believe that marriage is exclusively the legal union of one genetic male and one genetic female and that this union is evidenced by a marriage ceremony. We also believe that legitimate biblical sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. So, sexual activities such as, but not limited to, adultery, fornication, premarital sex, incest, polygamy, polyamory, homosexuality, bisexuality, pedophilia and bestiality are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible. Further, lascivious behavior, the creation, viewing and/or distribution of pornography, and efforts to alter one’s biological gender, are incompatible with a true biblical witness.

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7. Steiger Covenant Agreement

By signing this covenant, you are stating that you have read the entire covenant and agree to the standards and principles described herein.