Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding Changes in the Covenant for Life Together
1. What is the Covenant for Life Together at Bethel?
It is a Board of Trustees document that establishes the desired outcome for all members of the Bethel community: that they may become Whole and Holy Persons. It identifies biblical rules, community guidelines, and several key issues that 21st century Christ-followers must deal with including our calling as a Christian learning community; essentials in the treatment of others; how we relate to God; and things that are important for a community like Bethel if it is to fulfill its mission.
2. What does the covenant currently say about the use of alcohol?
Members of the Bethel community (students and employees) are not to use or possess alcoholic beverages.
3. Are there any exceptions to that at this time?
Students in the College of Adult & Professional Studies and Graduate School are not prohibited from using alcohol when not on Bethel property or participating in official Bethel activities.
4. What change is being made?
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.
5. Are there any limits on this?
Yes. Employees are not to knowingly use alcohol in the presence of students. Alcohol will not be used on Bethel property, at Bethel-sponsored events, or purchased with Bethel funds. In addition, all members of the Bethel community are expected to obey the biblical injunction against drunkenness.
6. How was this decision reached?
Over a two-year period of time, various employee groups discussed and studied this issue. The trustees gathered comparative data from similar Christian universities. After extended discussion, discernment, and study of Scripture, the trustees concluded that it was appropriate to adopt a policy that did not prohibit the use of alcohol by faculty, staff, and administrators and to extend to seminary students the same policy that governs students in the Graduate School and College of Adult & Professional Studies.
7. Has Bethel changed this document before?
The covenant and its predecessors have been modified periodically to accurately reflect timeless biblical principles in changing cultures.
8. Why does this change make sense?
Part of Bethel’s role is to serve the church. It seemed to the trustees that we were enforcing a cultural standard that was not important in the majority of our churches. Given our Pietist, Baptist heritage, the teachings of Scripture are important. Since Scripture does not teach abstinence with regard to the use of alcohol, we were elevating a cultural pattern above a biblical teaching. Pietists are also marked by agreement on essentials and charity on nonessentials. The prohibition on the use of alcohol seemed to be a nonessential when held under the light of Scripture.
9. Isn’t Bethel concerned about alcohol abuse in the general culture?
Most definitely. We realize that many of our students are exposed to alcohol before they arrive at Bethel and that some come from families where alcohol abuse is a problem. We also realize that alcohol abuse is one of the top problems on college campuses. Because of these issues and the age of the majority of students in the College of Arts & Sciences, students in that school will abstain from the use or possession of alcoholic beverages during the school year or while participating in any Bethel-sponsored activity. We have also developed alcohol education programs, robust counseling services, and other support mechanisms to help our Bethel community members when needed. We expect faculty, student life staff, and the campus ministries staff to address this issue with students and model appropriate behavior and biblical wisdom.
10. What language will be in the covenant?
Click here to view the revised Covenant. The updated language regarding alcohol use is in the Conclusions About Community Life section.
11. What are the positions of other Christian colleges and universities on the issue of alcohol use by employees and adult students?
When considering this change, the Board of Trustees requested information on alcohol policies at comparable Council for Christian Colleges & Universities institutions. In summary, most of the schools allowed alcohol use by employees, with some schools having these policies in place for many years and others making changes in recent years. The schools that allow alcohol use by employees (with varying restrictions) include George Fox University, Northwestern College (MN), Gordon College, Malone College, Biola University, Azusa Pacific University, Seattle Pacific University, Messiah College, Calvin College, Trinity International University, and Wheaton College. Those colleges who don’t allow employee alcohol use include Houghton College, Greenville College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. (This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all CCCU institutions, but rather those who are most comparable to Bethel in size and history.)