Changes to Bethel’s Covenant for Life Together

On June 25, the Bethel University Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the Colleges and Graduate School Committee of the trustees to make changes to the Covenant for Life Together regarding the use of alcohol by Bethel employees and students. The language in the Covenant regarding alcohol now reads:

Within committed Christian communities there are diverse views regarding the use of alcohol. Some choose a testimony of abstinence for a variety of legitimate and honorable reasons while others believe they can use alcohol occasionally and moderately without harm to body, spirit, or relationships with others. As a community that honors Holy Spirit-led diversity among Christians, Bethel University employees and students in the Seminary, Graduate School, and College of Adult & Professional Studies are not prohibited from using alcohol in moderation when away from campus and not engaged in official Bethel University activities. Further, employees are expected not to drink alcohol in the presence of Bethel students. Because of the special community nature of the College of Arts & Sciences and the ages of the majority of its students, students in the College of Arts & Sciences will abstain from the use or possession of alcoholic beverages during the school year or while participating in any Bethel-sponsored activity.

The issue was discussed and studied over a two-year period of time during which the trustees gathered comparative data from similar Christian universities, surveyed faculty and staff, and studied Scripture.

A link to an online FAQ and the complete, revised Covenant is available on the lefthand menu.