SOMA's POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of SOMA USA that all persons who serve this ministry as employees, board members, and team members be committed to the highest standards of Christian faith and life. Conversion leading to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an experience of the empowering and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential for all SOMA ministers as is sensitivity to cross-cultural issues, the ability to work in a team and the willingness to respect the leadership and gifts of other team members, male and female, lay and ordained. SOMA ministers should be humble in the exercise of authority and power, flexible in communicating the truth of the Gospel in other cultures, and mature in dealing with the complex and painful ethical concerns which Christians face every day. SOMA ministers should be committed to Biblical standards regarding money and possessions, relationships, and sexual purity. We define sexual purity, or chastity, as faithfulness within heterosexual marriage and sexual abstinence outside of it. Above all, we recognize the truth of Jesus' words: "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). And so we commit ourselves to seeking the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in our Christian discipleship, that we may bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.