Fundamental Family Rules
Fundamental Family Rules |
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1. THE GOVERNING PRINCIPLES OF THE RULES
Before you embark on your reading of the "Fundamental Family Rules," it is important to understand and grasp the principles behind them. The following four points will hopefully help you to do that.
Offences Warranting Excommunication are only those offences which are deemed extremely serious. Exceptions to anyone breaking these rules will not be permitted. In other words, if you break one of the rules listed under this category you will be excommunicated.
The excommunication rules apply equally to the new babe and to the seasoned leader. They govern us all, and if we break them we will be excommunicated. The length and severity of the excommunication may vary according to the circumstances, as would a sentence given in a court of law. The Procedures for Excommunicating Family Members (pg.110) cover how excommunication will be handled and whether it will be full or partial.
A member can only be excommunicated for breaking the rules listed in the category Offences Warranting Excommunication.
As mentioned earlier, there are both behavioral and procedural rules. The procedural ones are quite structured, with some of them, like the Home Size Rules, carrying automatic penalties if disobeyed. For example, if your Home population is reported as oversized on two consecutive TRFs, your Home will automatically be put on Probationary Notice. Another procedural rule is that if your Home does not pay its bills and as a result has outstanding debts for two months in a row, your Home will likewise automatically be put on Probationary Notice.
Some of the behavioral rules are by their nature a bit more subjective, although we have tried to make them as precise as possible. Breaking these rules can result in some form of discipline, ranging from an admonishment, to your Home putting you on Probationary Status or to the CROs moving you to TRF Supporter Status, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense. The discipline must be appropriate and proportionate in each particular case.
Some examples of discipline that a Home Teamwork might employ in the majority of situations include: The assigning of extra duties like dishwashing, the loss of Home responsibilities, the temporary forfeiting of an activity or privilege, such as missing a movie or an outing. Often a verbal admonishment will suffice for the first offense. Home Teamworks should also be encouraged to assign reading lists and the writing of reactions to what was read to the offending Home member to help strengthen them in their weak area.
The behavioral rules are important because they help set the Family standard for acceptable behavior. These particular rules have been chosen because they are deemed important, helpful and advantageous for all DO members to follow. They reflect our religious beliefs, and their purpose is to help all of us put those beliefs into practice in our daily lives. By all of us keeping these rules, we can more easily live together in harmony, as we will all be adhering to the same behavioral standard.
These behavioral rules are to be obeyed by everyone, from top leader down to brand new babe. However, unlike the Offences Warranting Excommunication, there are times when exceptions can be made to the behavioral-type rules, in a rare situation where an exception is warranted, or in an unavoidable circumstance.
As hard as you might try to keep the rules, it's inevitable that at some time or another you will break one of these behavioral rules. When you do, you do not need to be fearful that you will lose your place in the DO Family! Depending on the situation, you might be admonished by your Teamwork, or it may just be mentioned to you if your disobedience is a rare occurrence or special circumstance. However, if you generally disregard or regularly break these rules, some appropriate discipline will be meted out.
If it's not in the Charter or the "Fundamental Family Rules" it's not a Family rule! This is a very important point. Everyone needs to understand that other than the specific rules listed in the Charter or the "Fundamental Family Rules," there are no other rules in place for the worldwide Family.
The Family is expected to fulfil the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights" and obey the "Fundamental Family Rules," as well as Home Regulations that the Home itself establishes by a majority vote. If someone violates, contravenes or fails to fulfil these, they can be disciplined, but only for those reasons.
As stated above, any matter not addressed in the Charter or in the "Fundamental Family Rules" isn't a rule. It is up to each individual and/or Home to decide how, or if, other matters should be made rules for their lives or Homes. Of course, you will want to pray about all such matters, counsel about them, look in the Letters and other Family pubs to see the counsel given, but then it's up to you and/or your Home to make a decision on how or whether or not to apply the counsel.
As you know, there is a wealth of counsel and guidance throughout the Letters and the other pubs which should be adhered to, and if you read and apply this counsel the Lord will undoubtedly bless you. It is, however, up to you to make the decision whether to follow that counsel or not. It is your responsibility to make that decision and to live with the outcome of your choices. You have the right to choose in these matters, and you have the responsibility for your choices.
2. OFFENCES WARRANTING EXCOMMUNICATION
DO members will be excommunicated for:
DO Family members are not permitted to engage in physical sexual activity with outsiders, or even TRF Supporters, for various reasons. One reason in particular is because we do not want Family members to get AIDS. "Sexual activity" in this case is not limited to only sexual intercourse, it includes any and all physical sexual activity, including kissing on the lips.
There are some live-out members and Family friends who became members or befriended the Family prior to 1987 during the FF era. In a few rare instances these relationships became de facto marriages, and thus sexual contact was allowed to continue. These cases have been approved by WS Leadership, and the Continental Offices involved are aware of each case.
It is our Bible-based belief that male homosexuality is ungodly. Family members will be excommunicated for engaging in such activities. This clause is purposely worded in this manner to make it very clear that it is strictly forbidden for men to have any kind of sexual activity whatsoever with other men.
This is the "no sex with babes rule," which has been a Family rule for a long time. The reason for this rule is two-fold: First, because beginning sexual relationships with either a new or rejoining member diverts their attention from the most needed aspects of babes training, which include getting into the Word, building a relationship with the Lord, and learning to live within the Family. Sexual or romantic relationships during those first six months are viewed as an unneeded distraction.
The second reason is because new members need to get an AIDS test when they first join and then be retested after six months. We want to ensure that they are not HIV-positive and/or do not have AIDS. Medical evidence indicates that it is best to check someone twice, at the beginning and end of a six-month period, providing sufficient reassurance that they are not carrying the HIV virus.
This means that no DO members can cross over the age boundaries established for sexual relations in the Charter without being excommunicated. In other words, this does not only apply to those over 21 who have sexual contact with those outside of their permitted age group, but also that if anyone over 16 engages in sexual activity with anyone outside of their age range they would also be punished under this rule for these offenses. It also means that no one age 21 or older is permitted to engage in sexual contact with anyone under 21, except for the particular age groups mentioned and under the circumstances listed above. (See Definition of Terms for meaning of "sexual contact.")
We chose "substance abuse" to cover the full range of possibilities, both legal and illegal. Some intoxicants are not illegal, but the use of them is considered abuse. For example, sniffing glue or taking certain over-the-counter drugs for non-medical reasons can result in getting "high." Even though not illegal, those activities would be considered substance abuse.
We added "the use of illegal or illicit drugs." The definition of "illicit" is "not sanctioned by custom or law." Family members should not be taking illegal drugs or drugs that, though perhaps legal, are not sanctioned by custom. For example, there may be some drug that is legal only because it's new and hasn't yet been made illegal, but its use is not acceptable within our custom or society, so we consider it illicit and therefore not allowed.
The Classifications of Family Membership and Literature clearly state who is permitted to read certain classifications of Family literature. It is not permitted for DO members to knowingly give our DO literature to those who are not authorized to have it. This includes DO Members whose Home has been put on Probationary Notice, and are therefore not eligible to receive new WS mailings of DO material.
In exceptional cases, World Services, including the CROs, may give permission to give literature to some people who would not normally be allowed to receive it, such as some academics and lawyers, etc. At times we have given them literature for their research, and while technically this is giving DO lit to non-DO members, it has been deemed expedient, necessary and beneficial. However, only the CROs and WS are authorized to make such a decision.
For your information, we've also begun a new "DO/TS" rating for certain publications which go to both the DO and TS Family (but not to outside friends), as well as a "TS" rating, since we have begun sending our TRF Supporters more GNs and other pubs.
Family members should not be violent or commit any life-endangering acts for any reason, except in the rare case of trying to defend themselves or others, or Family property. For example, you are allowed to commit a violent act if someone is about to bash you--or any innocent helpless person, for that matter--over the head with a bat, or is trying to grab your children or set fire to your property, etc.
This "committing violent acts" clause also covers violence with one's mate or children. If a Family member were to become violent with their mate or children, they would face excommunication. If, however, a mate was defending himself or herself from spousal violence, then it could be judged a matter of self-defense and not necessarily grounds for excommunication. (See also "Our Stance Against Physical Violence" Statement.)
It is understandable that from time to time we have questions or even doubts that we may need to have resolved by discussing them with someone. When such an occasion arises, you should feel free to openly and honestly share your heart with your Shepherds so you can get the needed answers and prayer. Such matters are legitimate and need to be expressed, so it's perfectly acceptable to talk about your doubts or your criticisms with an appropriate Shepherd when trying to get clarification or counsel, or express an objection to something that you're having a difficult time understanding or following. If you're doing it with the right attitude, and with the right people, those whose job it is to try to answer and help you resolve your questions, as well as shepherd you through these things and help you overcome any misconceptions, then there's nothing wrong with it.
However, if you are speaking to members who are not the appropriate Shepherds, and if after having been warned against it, you continue airing matters which result in the spreading of doubts or bringing about contention or division, then this is unacceptable behavior and will warrant excommunication.
As Dad has said, "Failure to report a crime is a crime" (ML #662:22). If, for example, a Family member sees, or knows about, an adult who is engaging in sex with a minor, or they know of someone who is sending DO literature to outsiders, then it is their duty to report it. If it is discovered that a member knew of such a situation and didn't report it to their Shepherds, they will be excommunicated along with the person who has committed the offense.
As stated before, the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights" and the "Fundamental Family Rules" must be adhered to, obeyed, and followed by everyone if they wish to be DO members, unless there is a special circumstance that prevents them from doing so.
Although it is understood that there will be special circumstances when certain rules can't be obeyed, if the special circumstances become the rule rather than the exception, and thus someone is continually breaking the rules, then they can be either fully or partially excommunicated. Of course, some effort by the Teamwork should first be made to help the erring member correct their behavior, including personal counseling, assigning them a reading list on the subject, or Probationary Status, and so forth. But if these efforts fail, then the member should be recommended for excommunication.
So if a member persistently disregards the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights" and the "Fundamental Family Rules," they are in jeopardy of being excommunicated. The word "persistent" is defined as "persevering obstinately," and "disregard" is defined as "to pay no attention or heed to; to ignore." So if someone is stubbornly and obstinately paying no attention to or is willfully ignoring a clause in the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights" or flagrantly disobeying a Fundamental Family Rule, after being corrected for it, then they will face excommunication, either full or partial, depending on the situation. For instance, if a member's permission is withdrawn to remain in a specific country in accordance with the Procedures for Withdrawing Permission to Remain in a Country, and he flagrantly disobeys that order, he will be excommunicated.
Excommunication means that a person loses his Family membership, as well as access to Family literature and fellowship. Partial excommunication is a lesser form of disciplinary action that is determined by the Continental Office, which will result in the member losing his right to read DO literature, his voting rights and possibly other rights as well.
This ends the Offences Warranting Excommunication section. Now we move on to the other nine categories of behavior-related rules.
3. OUTREACH RULES
In the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights" it is clear that both individuals and Homes are to engage in evangelism. Witnessing is what we are here for, it is one of the major goals of the Family. In order to ensure that we are fulfilling this responsibility, it is a rule that we all seek to meet a minimum requirement for getting out witnessing on a regular basis. Homes are expected to get all their members, JETT-age and above, out witnessing at least two hours per week or eight hours per month. (There may be some behind-the-scenes type Homes, like LIMs, which could, with WS Leadership permission, have an exemption from this rule.)
Because children of all ages enjoy and benefit from witnessing, we recommend that all children have an opportunity to go out witnessing whenever practical. Families can go out witnessing together, for example, giving out tracts in the park, taking the children along for follow-up appointments, etc.
This mandatory witnessing requirement also applies to all Area Officers. Due to the nature of the Continental Offices, they are not required to engage in outreach but they are encouraged to personal witness when possible.
4. SCHOLASTIC AND SCHEDULE RULES
a) Junior teens who have completed their Junior High School curriculum: A minimum of four hours of study time per week (vocational/ministry study and/or scholastics, as chosen by the teen). (Note: Vocational/ministry study refers to quiet study time or classes from the pubs or reference material. This is time other than on-the-job vocational training.)
b) Junior teens who have not completed a Junior High School curriculum: A minimum of eight hours of study time per week; that is, four hours of scholastic study, plus four hours of vocational/ministry study.
a) National children, living in their own country, must be given the necessary time to learn to sufficiently converse in their national language.
These are the minimum requirements for the schooling of our children. Please remember that our children have a right to an education as specified in the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights." It is the responsibility of each Home and each parent to make sure that every child is receiving a proper education. Every Home must set aside the above listed minimum times for the education of their resident children; however, if the amount of schooling given during this time is not enough to give the children, or a specific child, the education guaranteed them in the Charter, then it must be increased.
If the parents or the Home cannot supply an adequate education via home schooling, they may need to consider outside schooling, private tutoring, etc. It is not enough for a Home to supply the minimum school time if it does not result in an adequate education for the children.
The Junior High School curriculum, as referred to above, should cover at least a grade 8 level of education. For course materials, you could (1) develop a suitable program following the "Childcare Handbook" and the "Home Schooling Program," supplemented with appropriate reference books and materials; (2) use suitable Christian materials; and/or (3) use suitable secular study materials available in the local language.
When JETTs graduate to Junior teens at 14, they can begin their Christian Vocational College (CVC) program, pursuing their High School diploma and a number of Vocational and Christian Studies Proficiency Certificates, if they so desire. (Note: The completion of their Junior High School curriculum is included in the CVC Academic program.)
Because our Family is international and thus multilingual, there is a need for a common language, one in which most Family members can communicate. Because Dad and Mama's mother tongue is English, and thus our WS pubs are originally published in English, English has become the common language of the Family, the language that is generally spoken within the Homes. There are, of course, certain areas of the World where Home members speak the local language within the Home, which is commendable and encouraged where feasible and expedient.
However, the fact that English is spoken in most of the Homes has sometimes made it difficult for the national children to become competent enough to witness in their national language. All of their friends within the Home speak English, and thus most of the day they converse in English rather than their national language. It is, however, very important that the national children living in their native country or language area learn to speak their national language. To accomplish this, our national children must be given the necessary time to learn their language.
There may be times when an individual family will be in a foreign land, and not have the opportunity to use their national language. In such cases the parents should still try to speak to their children in their national language in order to teach their children their mother tongue. For example, if a Japanese family were to move to Australia, it would be beneficial for the parents to make an effort to regularly speak to their children in Japanese, so that their children will learn or retain their national language.
Although it is only required that children (ages 6 through 15) have two hours of local language study per week, it is good for everyone in the Home to learn the local language so they can witness. This is especially true for our JETTs, and our Junior and Senior teens in countries where learning the local language is important, as otherwise they will have a more difficult time in their witnessing. Of course, the earlier children begin learning other languages, the better.
To grow in faith and knowledge of the Lord, our children need to read God's Word. The Word Curriculum course has been designed to help them get the Word-based spiritual training they need. Each child should have their own copy of the Word Curriculum booklet (Kidz #79 DO and Hope #54), and their progress should be recorded by marking the checklist.
a) On days when school-age children and teens go witnessing, only one hour of Word time is required.
All the above schedule requirements are minimums. The Home and the parents must see that children are provided the time and opportunity to get their minimum sleep and Word time. Since each child is different and has different needs, the amount of sleep needed will vary from child to child, so the parents and the Home should take into account each child's needs.
When children up through the age of 13 are out witnessing, it may be difficult for them to get a full nap, but hopefully it will be possible for them to have a quiet rest period.
Although not required, some 14 and 15-year-olds may also need a daily or regular nap, or rest period. The need for rest time for that age group should be decided by the Home, in consultation with the 14 and 15-year-olds.
5. CHILD DISCIPLINE RULES
A summary of the "Family Discipline Guidelines" can be found in Appendix E.
6. FOOD AND DRINK RULES
It is a Family belief that it is unhealthy to eat Biblically unclean foods. There may be times when people will serve Biblically unclean food to you as their guest, and in such a case it would be unkind and unloving to your host not to eat it. There may also be times on rare occasions that a provisioning team is given something that is unclean; for instance, a pork roast. If your Home is in agreement, then you may proceed with serving it in your Home, but be sure you have the faith for it and that you faithfully pray a cleansing prayer over it (1Timothy 4:5). Another example might be if you are eating pizza on a special occasion that had some pork sausage on it. Occasionally eating pork sausage on a pizza would be quite different than regularly eating pork sausage.
As explained before, exceptions for rules can be made "only in a rare situation when warranted or in an unavoidable circumstance." If once in a great while an individual or Home eats something unclean, it would be considered "rare," which is defined as "occurring infrequently," so in such a case it would be permissible. However, if your provisioner was asking your meat contact for pork, or if your Home was requesting your provisioner try to provision unclean seafood, or if you have a choice between clean and unclean foods, and you choose the unclean, then this would be disregarding the rules.
Each Home should do its best to provide a nutritious, well-balanced diet for all of its members, taking into account the special needs of babies, growing children, nursing and pregnant mothers, the elderly, as well as the sick. They should avoid serving the Home foods that the Bible teaches are unclean.
Family members should avoid, which means to shun, as much as possible the eating of any kind of unhealthy food. This means you should not only shun Biblically unclean foods, but also avoid foods and drinks with a high sugar content, or other unhealthy or non-nutritious foods such as bleached white flour, white sugar and white rice.
This is oftentimes more difficult when you get something to eat or drink when outside the Home. Ideally, you should not consume any foods outside your Home that your Home would not have the faith to serve in your Home. Of course, if you are extremely thirsty and the only thing available to drink is a Cola, then you might have to drink it. But if there was something else available and safe to drink, which didn't have a high sugar content, then you should choose that instead. This is not a license to regularly eat food containing refined and bleached white starches or sugar, or drink beverages with high sugar content, either at Home or when out.
There are appropriate occasions for having foods that have sugar content or are made with white flour; for example, on a birthday you might have store-bought cake and ice cream. Ice cream, unless it's homemade, definitely has quite a bit of sugar in it, and would fall under the category of food that has high sugar content. However, it would be acceptable, because it is an appropriate occasion.
The key word pertaining to this rule is "unavoidable." Remember, the rule is to avoid unhealthy foods. If you are regularly eating and drinking such things, and are making an insufficient effort to acquire the proper types of food, you are breaking this rule and are subject to disciplinary measures.
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These amounts of alcoholic beverages are the maximum allowed each week. This is not a recommendation for everyone to drink these amounts, it is just to establish the maximum allowable limits. All other alcoholic beverages, such as whisky, gin, vodka, etc., are not recommended for consumption, nor permitted in a Family Home for the purpose of members' weekly ration.
In some countries, drinking alcoholic beverages is illegal, and therefore you must abstain at all times. This is a rule letting you know that you cannot go over this specified amount; this is not a right that gives you permission for weekly wine. You'll notice that the drinking of alcoholic beverages is not listed under the Rights of the Individual in the Charter! In many countries, alcoholic beverages are very expensive and an unneeded luxury. If your Home doesn't have enough school supplies for your children, or enough tools for outreach, then you should question whether you can afford to buy alcoholic beverages for the Home.
Those under the age of 18 are not permitted to drink alcoholic beverages; however, in your own Home, on special occasions or celebrations, the Home could decide to let the teens drink a glass of wine or a punch which has some alcohol in it. Of course everyone, no matter what age, can partake of communion wine.
There also may be times when your Home has a celebration or a special event at which you wish to serve an alcoholic beverage and may decide to serve more than the maximum listed here. Since this would be a special occasion or rare occurrence which warrants an exception, it would be allowed. In the Governing Principles of the Rules it states, "Family Rules are to be obeyed at all times by all DO members, with exceptions only in a rare situation when warranted or in an unavoidable circumstance."
Because caffeine is a stimulant and too much of it can cause health problems, the daily intake for caffeinated drinks is two cups. If you find that you suffer some ill effects of caffeine, such as temper, hyperactivity, nervousness, insomnia, etc., you may want to consider abstaining from it.
7. GET-OUT RULES
Those over 18 need to have regular get-out time in the fresh air not less than four times per week in order to qualify as having sufficient exercise. Of course, the ideal is that everyone has a vigorous get-out every single day, but in many cases that just is not realistic or practical, so if it were required, nearly everyone would be a rule-breaker. We believe that four times a week is a realistic minimum.
If the weather is such that you can't do your get-out outdoors, you can still have vigorous exercise indoors.--And if you open a window you'll get fresh air as well.
Different people have different needs regarding the level of activity that they can, or should, do on get-out. For some older adults, taking a walk may be vigorous get-out, but the same walk may not be sufficient for a YA or teen. They might need something much more vigorous. So an adult should not expect that a walk or a leisurely bike ride is always enough get-out for a JETT or teen. Be aware that different people have different needs, and try to accommodate them as much as possible.
Those under the age of 18 must have get-out a minimum of five times per week, but daily is recommended. Children will also benefit from short periods of recess or play time outdoors throughout the day, in addition to their minimum daily get-out time.
The activities that our teens and children engage in need to be age-appropriate. For example, you wouldn't let a young child climb a tree because it is not safe, but you might allow a prayerful and careful JETT or teen to do so, because for them it might be safe.
The point is that some of the things that you wouldn't allow young children to do, you could let JETTs or young teens do. There are even some activities like climbing trees and skateboarding which Mama said our kids shouldn't do, that she now considers may be allowed if age-appropriate. Although it wouldn't be wise to allow young children to do some of these activities, it might be perfectly okay for older ones. If it's an appropriate activity for an older teen, then they can be allowed to do it, whereas a younger child or even a younger teen might not be able to do it.
You will also notice there is no list of activities that people cannot do. This means that if someone feels an activity is okay and they pray, look to the Letters, and get the agreement of their Home about it, then they may do it.
For example, body building: We don't think body building for the sake of building huge muscles is good, because it can be a pride trip. However, we're not specifically outlawing all exercise utilizing weights. Lifting weights, when done for the purpose of vigorous exercise, could be beneficial, especially in places where the weather is poor and it is difficult to have regular outdoor get-out. So if a teen or an adult decides they want to start lifting some weights for their get-out, they can, if the Home agrees, as it falls under The Governing Principles of the Rules, which state that all other matters that are not specifically covered in the Charter or the Rules are to be decided upon by the individual and/or their Home, after counsel, prayer, reading of the Word, etc.
If a teen boy decides he wants to start lifting weights, or a teen girl wishes to begin doing aerobics for their get-out activity, and these activities are not already being done in the Home, they should bring their proposal up to the Home for counsel. If a simple majority of the voting members agrees the activity is acceptable, they may proceed with these activities. If the Home does not agree to allow the activity, then the activity would not be permitted.
Perhaps the Home may want to allow the activity, but they have some reservations about the effect of the activity, such as a concern that the teens might get into a proud spirit, trying to look like "Mr. Muscles" or "Miss Glamour." In such a case the Home might choose to allow the activity but put some stipulations on it, such as allowing it only a few times per week with the understanding that if it begins to bear bad fruit in the teens' lives, they will need to stop.
Generally, most sports have a certain amount of competitiveness. For example, in playing a game of birdie or tennis, there is a measure of competitiveness, but it's the spirit and degree of the competitiveness that makes the difference. If someone is aggressively competitive and their serve is so hard and fast that you would have to be a professional player to even return the serve, then that's being overly aggressive! Or when playing basketball, football or other such games, hogging the ball and having excessive body contact would also fall into the same category. The purpose of playing a game of tennis or a game of birdie or any other game is for exercise and enjoyment. The mild competitiveness is what makes the game fun, but if people get so involved that they get into the wrong spirit and hurt others, either by injuring them or making them feel bad through overly competitive or aggressive actions or unkind and unloving words, then it's not good. If it has reached the degree of competitiveness that it comes close to portraying the spirit of war, as Dad explains in "Are You a Good Sport" (ML #179A), then it's out of line. But a little competition mixed with good sportsmanship isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself.
The main thing to remember in doing get-out is to pray.--And play it safe! Remember, the Law of Love also applies to get-out! Love is more important than winning, and many times greater joy and lessons come out of being a level-headed and safe player, or even a good loser.
8. DRIVING RULES
Only those with valid driver's licenses should be allowed to drive on public roads. An unspoken Family rule seems to have developed that only men should drive. We would like to dispel this notion, which is why you will notice that the rule states that both qualified men and women may drive.
Dad has written a great deal on vehicle safety. Unfortunately, for many Homes the criterion for using a vehicle is, "Does it move and will it get us where we want to go?" Driving a vehicle is dangerous enough without driving one with faulty or weak brakes, no lights, or bald tires, etc.
If your Home is using a vehicle, it is the Home's responsibility to make sure it is legally registered, insured and safe. Perhaps a good way to judge if a car is safe is to ask yourself if you would feel confident enough to take Mama for a ride in it. We recommend that your Home appoint a vehicle deacon to make sure the cars are well maintained.
Some people who have valid driver's licenses really aren't very good drivers. So if someone is not prayerful and/or careful or safe, then the Home may vote to revoke their driving privilege, at least for a given period of time.
If a driver causes an accident, they should lose their driving privilege for a period of time, which should be decided by the Home's voting members. This does not mean that any driver that is involved in an accident should lose the privilege. A driver may be in an accident that was not his fault. If he was stopped at a traffic light and someone smashed into the rear end of the car, that's not his fault, he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, though there may be a lesson to be learned from it.
But any driver who causes an accident, or who has to be repeatedly warned about reckless or unsafe driving, including speeding or not tuning in to his or her driving, should have his or her driving ability questioned. If someone hits somebody or smashes into another car, it brings up the obvious question of why it happened. Was the driver not paying attention? Was he or she being unsafe, unprayerful? Is the Lord trying to get through to him or her on something, etc.? As driving is such an important responsibility, in that you risk your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of those that are around you and in other vehicles, anyone who causes an accident should have their driving privilege suspended for a period of time. As Dad admonished, "The driver's seat is one of the most responsible and dangerous positions in the world! Take it seriously and ask God for help" (MOP 4:1).
The appropriate period of time would have to be decided by the Home. If someone causes a minor accident, denting a fender, maybe he shouldn't drive for a short period of time, but if he causes a major accident, maybe he should have his driving privilege suspended for six months, a year, or longer. However, the penalty cannot always be determined only from the seriousness of the accident. Perhaps the lesser accident was just the Lord's mercy on the Home, but indicates a much more serious problem with the driver. The Home will have to decide.
Drivers should be safety-conscious at all times, and may need to go above and beyond the local regulations and customs in some countries not known for their traffic safety standards.
Driving is serious business in which everyone involved is in a potentially dangerous situation, and therefore requires a great deal of prayerfulness. It would be good for the driver and the passengers to make it a habit of frequently praying out loud for the Lord's help and protection. Passengers should be mindful of the driver and should not distract him; they should be watchful and in prayer for the driver. The person sitting in the front seat next to the driver should consider it his or her job to be the "driver's buddy" and assist the driver in every way possible and needed. Sometimes it's good and important to talk to the driver to keep him from dozing off at the wheel, especially if driving in the evening or in very hot weather, etc.
a) An already experienced driver who has a valid driver's license and considerable Family driving experience, and who receives a recommendation from two of the Home teamworkers that he/she is a safe, competent driver, does not have to meet the 20-hour requirement.
The term "new driver" used above not only applies to those who have just recently acquired a driver's license, which would generally be a senior teen or YA, but also those older Family members who may have had a driver's license for a number of years, but due to lack of actual driving experience may not be a qualified driver. In such a case, a Home may decide that these drivers need to have some fresh hands-on experience before they can drive a van full of children or take witnessing teams out, etc., and therefore vote in the same requirements that a new driver is expected to meet before getting their card--that is, 20 hours driving time plus approval from the teamworkers.
The supervised driving time would not necessarily need to be official "driver training," as our Homes probably don't have time for this in their busy schedules, but can be on-the-job practice. For example, an 18-year-old could do provisioning pickups with an experienced licensed driver in the car, who could instruct the new driver during the course of the day's driving. However, we do not recommend that new or inexperienced drivers drive a van full of people before getting their Family Driving Certificate.
While we are stipulating that two Home teamworkers and a competent Family driver can approve a "new" driver, after he or she has had their 20 hours of driving experience, the Home itself should also be in general agreement with the individual driving. Any voting member in a Home has the right to bring up in a Home Council Meeting the subject of driving and/or a specific driver if they feel he or she doesn't drive safely, to be discussed and/or voted on by the Home. In other words, those riding in a vehicle driven by a designated Home driver should have a reasonable amount of confidence in the driver's abilities, and if they don't, they have every right to bring it up for discussion in the proper forum.
9. HOME LIFE RULES
Going two-by-two is Scriptural and a wise principle that Jesus established, and this rule has been in place since the beginning of the Family. There are, of course, times when it's not possible to go two-by-two, but for the most part, members should. When it is deemed not possible, it should be with the agreement of a Home Teamwork member.
In most cases you should try to take as a partner someone who is able to be of assistance in case of an emergency. For instance, your partner should be old enough and responsible enough to phone the Home in case of any problems or if they were to get separated from you. Determining whether a child is responsible enough to be a partner on a particular occasion will also depend on where you are going, how far from Home, if you will be driving or taking public transport, etc., and should be a matter that is counseled about and agreed upon by the Home Teamwork.
Members need to make sure that they have copies of their legal documents available. It's wise to carry sufficient and appropriate identification with you when you're off the Home's property. What you would choose to carry would depend on where you live. In many places a driver's license or local identification card will suffice. In other places a photocopy of your passport would be enough. If you have to carry your actual passport, please make sure it is kept in a safe place, like in a money belt, or in a neck pouch inside your shirt.
In some countries carrying identification is not required by law; however, it is a good safety precaution to carry ID at all times when out.
Although our larger Homes have a greater measure of fellowship, such is not the case with smaller Homes. And because we feel that Homes with four or less voting members may become rather dry spiritually without fellowship with other Homes, we want to encourage them to have regular fellowship with other Family members. However, in light of the time and logistics involved in organizing such a fellowship, it is only required that such small Homes fellowship with other Homes if they are nearby.
If the rule were to state that every Home that has four voting members or under must visit another Home once a month, it might cause a great deal of hardship in some cases. For example, if the nearest Home is 1,000 miles away and you must go there every month, that is going to be very expensive and quite taxing. You'd either have to fly, or it would take a day or two to drive there and another day or two to drive back, plus the day of fellowship, so that's five days out of your month!
If the nearby Home is a maximum of two hours away by car or bus or train or ferry, then it is much more feasible to visit once a month. The travel and fellowship time could be done in one day and shouldn't cause any undue hardship. Exceptions may be made for reasons of health.
In some cases, some Home members might desire to take a secular job or perhaps run a business, as a means of support. As the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights" does not specifically prohibit it, it is generally allowed. We are not recommending it, but it's not forbidden. Since such a decision affects the Home, financially and otherwise, it will be the Home that decides, by two-thirds majority, if they will allow any of their members to get a job. They should also discuss and decide who can get a job and what kind of job is acceptable. Remember, if you want to get a certain job and the Home doesn't want you to, the Home's decision prevails; but you can seek out another Home or start your own if you don't want to abide by the decisions of the Home you are in.
Similar to the situation with adults getting outside employment, the "Charter of Responsibilities and Rights" does not specifically prohibit children attending System school, so it is generally allowed. We are not recommending it, but it's not forbidden. Since such a decision affects the Home, it will be the Home that decides, by two-thirds majority, if they will allow any of their children to attend outside schools. The voting members should also discuss and decide which children should go to an outside school and what kind of situation is acceptable. Remember, if you want to send your children to a certain school and the Home doesn't want you to, the Home's decision prevails; but you can seek out another Home or start your own if you don't want to abide by the decisions of the Home you are in.
Some of the teens or adults may want to attend a night class on some subject that would be helpful to their ministry. If the Home is in agreement with the plan and the subjects, they can vote to allow it.
a) An exception to this rule is if the movie has already been previewed and recommended by another Home's teamwork who has watched the movie with the age group they are recommending it for, or by an Area or Continental Officer.
We hope that in most cases, Homes will select the movies they watch from those rated by WS in the Family Movie Guides or other Family publications. However, in cases where rated films are unavailable and/or the Home wants to watch a film that has not yet been rated (such as a new release), it's important that the film first be "screened" in order to make sure it is appropriate for the Home, particularly if the planned audience will include teens, JETTs or children. In other words, the Home teamwork must not go solely on the recommendation of someone who may have seen the movie (unless the recommendation comes from another Home's teamwork or an Area or Continental Officer, as explained above), but should appoint a Home previewing team of at least two people, including a teamwork member if possible, responsible to preview the movie.
While this may be an inconvenience, it will save time in the long run from having to deal with the negative repercussions that a bad movie could have on people. You may want to review what Dad has said in the Letters about System movies to help your Home in previewing and rating videos.
If you feel that a movie (or portions of it) is suitable for an age group younger than the suggested rating, you may show it to them, provided you have previewed the movie, and counseled about its suitability with a responsible adult.
There is an extremely wide spectrum of System music, some of which is Godly and edifying and much of which is not. It is not possible to legislate exactly what kinds of music can and cannot be listened to. There are a number of Letters from Dad and Mama, as well as various Hope Mags and other pubs on the subject which give the guidelines for listening to System, and even Family, music. Family members are expected to follow this counsel when selecting music to listen to.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, "Of making many books there is no end." The World is full of millions upon millions of books, some good, some bad, some edifying, others not. It would be impossible for WS to make a comprehensive list of acceptable books as we have done with movies. Because of this, if someone in the Home wishes to read a book, other than an educational textbook or a book included in a WS recommended book list, they must first explain to their Home which book they wish to read and the Home must agree by a simple majority.
Like movies or music, books are spiritual food, and if you eat bad food, it does you harm. Certainly not all books are bad, but neither are all good, so care must be taken in the choice of reading material, especially in our busy lifestyle. Although some books, like some novels, are not unedifying, they nevertheless generally take a fairly long time to read, which would take away from our more important duties like reading the Word, witnessing, fellowshipping with others, etc. When deeply engrossed in the reading of a novel, the reader can often tune out what is going on around them and become absorbed in and sometimes even addicted to the novel. Such absorption can be spiritually detrimental. For this reason it is necessary for the Home to come to an agreement if they will permit a member to read a specific book other than educational textbooks or those on the recommended book lists.
10. HEALTH AND HYGIENE RULES
There are many guidelines and much counsel given in the Letters and other WS publications regarding health and hygiene. Even though they are not listed here as rules, this counsel is extremely beneficial and should be seriously considered and followed whenever applicable. All we have listed here are the basic health and hygiene rules, which include:
This covers smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or any other substance people can smoke.
Please try to avoid spreading infectious diseases to other Homes. If members of your Home have a fever or a sickness that is infectious, it would be best to avoid visiting other Homes. Please be prayerful and understanding in these matters, and if a Home asks you not to visit, because either their Home or yours has sickness, please comply graciously.
If any outsiders request to come to your Home when someone in the Home has an infectious illness, you should tell them that some members are ill and suggest that it might be wiser for them to postpone their visit. If they still want to come, you can accommodate their request, but at least you have informed them of the illness.
11. SEX AND AFFECTION RULES
One of the main things that sets us apart from other churches is the Biblical freedom that we have the faith to practice under the Law of Love, especially our sexual freedom. The sexual freedoms the Lord has allowed us are a beautiful and fruitful part of our faith. Having the opportunity to share sexually within our Homes brings about a unity and love that is not present in other churches. It is especially helpful in our communal lifestyle as it draws us closer to each other and to the Lord.
Sharing sexually is a delicate matter since it deals with our emotions and the emotions of others. Because of this, our sexual freedoms must be governed by the Law of Love to ensure that others will not be hurt, and that we will not be guilty of purposely or unwittingly hurting others. These Sex and Affection Rules are designed to help us live within the boundaries of the Law of Love.
The above clause stipulates that the parties involved must be in agreement with engaging in sexual activity. As to who is an "involved party": In the case of a married person, who is planning to share with someone else, that person's mate is one of the parties involved. If a wife feels that a single brother in the Home needs sexual fellowship, or if she has been asked by him to share sexually, then her mate must agree to it, as he is an involved party; if he doesn't agree, then she should not do it.
Of course, according to the Law of Love the husband should be loving enough to share his wife with a brother in need. Likewise, the wife and the single brother should be loving enough to understand if the husband has difficulty with it.
For a different scenario, let's take a case of a single woman and two single men in the Home: The single sister decides she would like to share with one of the single brothers, but the other single brother happens to have intimate feelings for her, and might feel somewhat jealous about this date taking place. In this case, the single woman does not need to get his consent or agreement because he is not an involved party. He has no say over what she does because she's not his mate and therefore does not need to be consulted.
However, you'll notice that the second part of this clause states that precautions must be taken so that others are not hurt by the activity. In this scenario, if the single woman and the single man are planning to have a date, they should be considerate of the single brother who has feelings for the girl, and take precautions, at least as much as is possible, so as not to hurt him. For example, the date could happen when this single brother is out witnessing or is watching a movie or is doing something else. Or at the very least, when these two share they should try to do so in a place where this fellow will not overhear them.
We need to do all we can to avoid hurting others. Of course, sometimes people are hurt regardless of the precautions we attempt to take. Let's go back to the married couple spoken of before: The wife is planning to share with the single brother, and though the husband gave his agreement, it is still possible that the husband might be hurt.--He might experience some jealousy, or generally find it difficult to share his wife with someone else. However if, because he believes in the Law of Love, he consents to be hurt, in a sense, by agreeing that his wife should share with a brother in need, then this is acceptable; in fact, commendable. That's the sacrificial side of the Law of Love and of sharing.
Of course, there may be times when the wife and the single brother might need to refrain in deference to the husband; this also is the sacrificial side of the Law of Love and might be the loving thing to do in a given situation.
Should the Teamwork feel that a particular sexual relationship between Home members is hurting others in the Home, or causing problems, the Teamwork is, of course, free to shepherd and offer counsel in order to help solve the problem or help things to improve.
If you are going to be away on a trip or visiting another Home for an extended period of time and you foresee situations coming up where you might share with others, couples should pray about it together beforehand and come to an agreement.
In accordance with the Law of Love, we should avoid doing anything that would hurt others. As sexual affection or activities in front of others could cause hurt, it should be avoided in public areas of the Home. You'll find more specifics on the subject in FSM 241, "The Affection Revolution." Such activities should be carried out in private.
If a sister or brother does not want to share sexually with someone, they should not be coerced into doing so. If you wish to have a date with someone, and they do not wish to have a date with you, then you should not try to make them feel that they are not being "sacrificial." Perhaps you need to be more sacrificial by forgoing the date with them. Maybe if you pray and ask the Lord to supply someone to fill your needs rather than trying so hard in the arm of the flesh, you might get better results.
Husbands and wives should, as much as possible, consent to having sex when their partner requests it. The Bible says, "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence [love-making]: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency" (1Corinthians 7:3-5).
Dating by teens, ages 14 and 15, with other teens, ages 14 through 17, will be under the authority and responsibility of the 14- or 15-year-olds' parents or legal guardians.
Those 14 through 17 may date if they wish, providing they have received permission to do so from the junior teens' parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Parents or legal guardians may allow their junior teens to date and have emotional and physical contact with other teens that the parents deem appropriate, but may not permit their junior teens to engage in sexual intercourse or skin to skin touching of genitals by the dating teens. While those 16 and 17 are permitted to have full sex with those ages 16 through 20, 16- and 17-year-olds are not permitted to do so with junior teens that they may be dating.
Those 14 and 15 who break these rules will be subject to disciplinary action, and in jeopardy of being put on Probationary Status or other disciplinary action decided upon by their parents or legal guardians.
It is our belief that our Senior teens will have the maturity to lovingly engage in sexual activity with other consenting Senior teens and YAs and that in doing so they will operate in accordance with the Law of Love.
By permitting you 16 and 17-year-olds to participate in the sexual freedoms granted by the Law of Love, we are opening the door for you to step into a new realm of maturity and adulthood. You will be faced with fully living the Law of Love, with the responsibility of making sure your actions with one another are guided by love and not by lust, that you hurt no one.
Permitting you to choose whether or not to become involved sexually with your peers is a sobering step for everyone involved, both for you as well as for the adults. As adults, we better understand the potential emotional pitfalls of sharing sexually with one another and the difficulties which can arise, the battles of jealousy, of feeling left out, of unloving actions, etc. We realize that we will need to help you overcome these battles, that you will need shepherding, understanding and a listening ear. But because we believe that the Lord wants you to grow into spiritually mature Christian adults, we are willing to take on the extra burden of helping you through these lessons. We are permitting you to partake of sexual sharing within the 16-20 year age range with the understanding that you will agree to be shepherded by the adults, and that you will be open and honest about your questions, tests and trials.
These freedoms are sobering for you because you will now be faced with decisions which could have life-changing consequences. Love-making can result in newborn children, and resultant children will need to be cared for by mommies and daddies, and these mommies and daddies will be you. So you will need to realize that although you have the freedom and right to engage in sexual activity, you also have to take the responsibility for your actions.
Another thing to keep in mind: You will notice that in the root clause it says "sexual activity is permitted only with consenting partners ages 16 through 20." It is very important to realize that not everyone in your age group is going to want to engage in sexual activity, that some will want to wait until they are older or until they feel more prepared for it. Others will only want to dabble in it, while yet others will want to partake fully. The choice whether to take this step is a very personal and individual choice based on each person's faith. No one should feel pressured one way or the other by anyone. If you are trying to convince someone to have sex with you or to go farther than they want to go, or if you are applying peer pressure in any way, then your actions are unloving and are contrary to the Law of Love.
There is a great deal of Word on this subject which you are expected to read in order to help you fully grasp the depth of God's Law of Love and how to live in accordance with it.
We are expecting that you will face this new challenge as loving, mature Family members who will use these freedoms in love, the way the Lord and Dad and Mama have always intended them to be practiced.
New members, and members rejoining the DO Family, must refrain from sex for the first six months they are in the Family.
As explained earlier, sexual activities are to occur only if both parties are consenting. This clause covers any specific sexual activities which one partner may not feel comfortable engaging in. For example, if a man particularly likes having a woman perform oral sex on him, but she doesn't like it, the man should not try to badger or in any way try to coerce her to do so.
Simply stated, people should not force or try to coerce their sexual partners to do things that they don't want to do. To do so is unloving and unkind.
The Law of Love dictates that we should not hurt others. Passing on a sexual affliction would be hurting others and should therefore be avoided. Anyone with a sexual affliction should take appropriate sanitary measures to avoid passing on their affliction to others. They should also inform their sexual partners about their affliction.
This now ends the behavior-type rules. The rest of the rules are now procedural-type rules.
12. ELECTION RULES
Definition of Terms:
Voting Members: Members of the Home who have reached the age of 16, and who have been in the Family for at least six months.
Simple Majority: A vote in which the will of over 50% of the voting members determines the outcome of the vote.
Two-thirds Majority: A vote in which 67% (two out of three voting members) must give an affirmative vote for a measure to pass.
There are some voting procedures that require the use of a secret ballot, and in such cases the Home must use a secret ballot as the method of voting. Most of the votes which will be conducted by the Homes will not require secret balloting, and therefore each Home may decide what method of voting it will use. Such methods could include a discussion and simple show of hands, or checking off a chart left on the Home's bulletin board, etc. There may be many different options, and the Home must decide by a simple majority which option to use.
a) In the absence of a voting member, a Home can still vote on a matter and enact the outcome. If, however, the vote of an absent member causes a change in the outcome of a Home's vote, the matter enacted will cease.
b) The absent member can, if he chooses, appoint a proxy (one who will vote in his place). If a proxy is appointed, the absent member cannot vote upon his return on a matter that was voted on in his absence, as his vote was already cast by his proxy.
(1) Th e proxy cannot vote in place of the absent member on financial matters.
a) Elections for a temporary Teamwork must be held within seven days of a new Home opening. Within 90 days of the new another Home Home opening, Teamwork election must be held.
When a new Home opens, the members must hold immediate Home Teamwork elections to elect a temporary Teamwork. Sometime during the next 90 days, preferably once the new Home has gathered most or all of their personnel, they must hold another election.
Then, on the date for the next Home Teamwork election, or Vote of Confirmation, the Home would conduct another election or a Vote of Confirmation, so as to be synchronized with other Homes worldwide.
a) Nominated members have the right to decline a nomination.
b) The names of those nominated must be posted in the Home until the election is held.
c) Homes of more than three voting members must have at least three Teamworkers who are responsible for Personnel, Outreach, Business, and Childcare (if there are children). The Home can decide, by a simple majority, if they want to have more than three Home Officers.
d) Only voting members can be nominated and elected to Home Teamworks.
(1) Since 16 and 17-year-old members have no vote in financial matters, they are not eligible for the Business Teamworker position.
(2) Members 16 to 20, and voting members who have been live-in DO members for less than one year, will be considered "trainees" for their first six months on a Home teamwork if it is their first time ever on a Home teamwork, as outlined in point 6 of the Home Election Guidelines in Appendix D, page 193.
a) In the event of a tie vote, a run-off election for that Teamwork position is held.
(1) If the tie is unbroken after three run-off elections, then the Home must decide, by a simple majority, if the two candidates should both become part of the Teamwork, or if they should alternate being on the Teamwork, one for the first three months of office and the other for the second three months.
a) An outgoing Home Officer must turn over all files, Home records, HER fund locations, etc., held in their portfolio, to the new incoming Home Officers within 24 hours of the election.
Teamwork elections should generally be conducted something like this: Before the elections, the Home should decide exactly what Teamwork positions their Home will have. They must have three Teamworkers who are responsible for Personnel, Outreach, Business and Childcare (unless there are no children). However, they may want to have a separate Teamworker for Outreach, Teens, and/or some other portfolios, depending on the size and need of the Home.
A week before the election the voting members should read the Combined Home Election Guidelines LNF in Appendix D. They would then nominate those they feel should be on the Teamwork. This list of nominees would be displayed in the Home, without listing which Teamwork position these nominees might fill.
On election day the Home would decide which Teamwork position will be voted on first, second, etc. Then the Home would, from the list of nominees, vote for someone to fill the first position. These votes would then be counted and the person who had the most votes for that position would be announced. Then the Home would vote for someone to fill the second position, again from the list of remaining nominees. After the results are known, each succeeding position would be voted for until they are all filled.
Since the election of Home Teamworks has now been changed from every three months to every six months, there is now a Vote of Confirmation which must be held three months after every scheduled Home Teamwork election. The purpose of this mid-term confirmation vote is to make it possible to call for a new election should you find your Teamwork incapable of doing the job, or if for some other reason the Home feels they should be removed from office. Since the majority of the Home elected the Home Teamwork in the first place, it will require a two-thirds majority to recall them from office at the time of the Vote of Confirmation.
Since voting to recall your Home Teamwork is a rather sensitive matter, the Vote of Confirmation is to be held by secret ballot, a simple yes/no type of vote, and must be held whether everyone is generally happy with the performance of the Teamwork or not.
a) For Home Teamworks the printed ballot should read:
I confirm my Home Teamwork: yes___ no ____
b) If a two-thirds majority vote against confirming the Home Teamwork, the Home will hold Home elections within seven days, in accordance with the Election Rules.
(1) The term of office of a new Home Teamwork in such a case is only until the next Home Election date.
When the Home engages in a Vote of Confirmation, they vote for or against the Teamwork as a whole. So if there is one member of your Teamwork who you feel is not doing a good job and you definitely don't want them to finish the second three months of their term of office, you would need to vote against the whole Teamwork. If the Home's vote determines that the Teamwork is not confirmed, then a new election would be called and you could nominate those Teamwork members who you feel were doing a good job to be on the next Teamwork.
a) Each Home's Vote of Confirmation of its Area Officers must be sent to the Continental Office on or before June 15th and December 15th.
b) For Area Officers, the printed secret ballot given to all voting members should read:
I vote to confirm: [Officer's name] yes ____ no ____.
I vote to confirm: [Officer's name] yes ____ no ____.
c) The Home's vote would then be tallied and sent to the Continental Office as follows:
The majority of our Home votes:
[Officer's name] yes ____ no ____.
Area Officers are appointed by the CROs; however, the Homes must confirm their appointment twice a year. If you do not feel one or more of the VSs should be on the VS Teamwork, you can let your feelings be known through your vote.
For convenience, the Area Office Vote of Confirmation will be held on the same dates as the Home Teamwork Vote of Confirmation, June 1 and December 1. Unlike a Home Teamwork confirmation, in this case you are to confirm each individual officer, and not the VS Teamwork as a whole. When voting for the Area Officers, the ballot must list the names of all the Area Officers, so members can then tick the "yes" or "no" confirmation box for each particular Area Officer.
a) The Office holding the referendum must submit a written proposal stating exactly what the Homes are being asked to vote on. This proposal must list both the pros and cons, and be read by the Home's voting members.
b) Each Home, regardless of size, counts as one vote. The Home's vote is determined by a simple majority unless it is regarding a financial matter, in which case it is determined by a two-thirds majority.
(1) A Home's vote must be conveyed, in the quickest possible manner, to the Office conducting the referendum.
(2) The results of the Home Referendum must be made public to all the participating Homes.
c) The outcome of the referendum is decided by a simple majority of the voting Homes, unless it is regarding a financial matter, in which case it is determined by a two-thirds majority.
a) Each Home's vote of confirmation of its Area Goals must be sent to the Continental Office on or before June 15 and December 15.
b) For a Vote of Confirmation on Area Goals the printed ballot should read:
Area Goal 1 (description) yes ____ no ____
Area Goal 2 (description) yes ____ no ____
Since the Vote of Confirmation will be held on June 1 and December 1 to confirm Home Teamworks, Area Officers and Area Goals that are presently in effect, all of this information could be presented to the Homes simultaneously on one form.
13. HOME SIZE RULES
a) Homes with members who are under 18 years of age must have at least two resident members 25 years of age or older, unless those under 18 are living with their parents.
b) If members leaving a Home results in the Home falling below the minimum Home size of four (but no less than two) voting members, the Home may keep its DO Status providing the second Monthly Report shows a population of at least four voting members.
c) Two voting members over the age of 18 can open a DO Home, and keep their DO Status, providing the third Monthly Report shows a voting member population of at least four.
d) Exemptions to the minimum Home population size can be authorized by the Continental Office when they feel a case warrants it, providing the Home has a minimum of two voting members.
Since the Continental Office has the authority to waive the four-voting-member rule for DO Homes, the same would apply to TRF Supporter Homes that are in the process of becoming DO Homes. This would, as with DO Homes, be the exception, not the rule; for instance, in the situation of a TRF Supporter family living in a remote location who would be unable to qualify simply because they do not have two other DO members.
a) The Continental Office requests and receives approval for a specified number of personnel from World Services' Leadership. Upon receipt of approval, the Service Home must not exceed the approved number of personnel.
14. REQUIRED MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES
Since most of us are already accustomed to having monthly Area-wide or Continental Prayer Days, we would like to continue this very needed and fruitful practice. Your Continental Office will designate a Monthly Prayer Day in your Area in which all Homes will be expected to participate. We realize, though, that at times unavoidable circumstances occur. So if for some reason you can't hold your Home's Prayer Day on the assigned day, you can hold it a day or two before or after the assigned day. For example, if the assigned Prayer Day is the second Wednesday of each month, and one particular month you already have an unavoidable appointment on that day, your Home could hold your Prayer Day a few days before or after, whatever is most convenient for your Home.
We suggest that your Home also take time on this day to hear from the Lord for any needed direction, counsel or words of encouragement that He may have for you.
Instead of designating a full day as your Monthly Prayer Day, you may prefer two consecutive half-days.
As Dad has taught us, this Revolution was born in prayer, so we feel it is important that each Home include Prayer Vigil as a part of their daily activities. We realize that every Home's situation and schedule is different, so although one hour daily per Home would be the ideal, it may not be realistic on a daily basis. Therefore we would like to leave the structuring and length of your Prayer Vigil times up to each Home. Prayer Vigil can be fun and inspiring. If necessary, you could even assign the Prayer Vigil to two individuals who could pray during certain daily activities like hanging out the laundry, a walking get-out, etc.
The Home must have at least two Home Council Meetings per month, one of which is devoted entirely or in part to financial matters. When it says a minimum, that doesn't mean that that's all the Home has to do, rather that's the least they must do; it is what is required. Some Homes might find that they need a weekly Home Council Meeting, others might feel that they need them twice a week. It's up to them to decide, but the Home cannot decide to have less than two Home Council Meetings per month.
Home Council Meetings should be held at a convenient time and when the greatest number of voting members are available. There must be at least 50% of the Home's voting members in the meeting. Remember, if you don't attend a Home Council Meeting, you still can vote on the matters when you return Home. Or you can give someone your proxy, which allows them to vote for you in your absence.
Also, if a member abstains, the Home's voting population is decreased by one for that particular vote.
If a city has more than one DO Home, a City Council consisting of representatives from the local Homes should meet at least quarterly, if not more often. In this case, in saying city we're referring to the metropolitan area, so that cities where the Homes may be within different city limits but still in the same metropolis would also be required to hold City Councils. Every Home that is in a city or metropolitan area
with more than one DO Home is required to send a representative to at least one City Council meeting in every three-month period. The DO Homes in the city should themselves elect a "meeting coordinator" to organize the City Council meetings for the first three-month period. The coordinator may either chair the City Council meetings or appoint someone else to do so. After three months, the Homes would decide on who will fill the meeting coordinator position on a rotating basis among the Homes participating.
The meeting coordinator will not be a shepherding role, and the coordinator would have no leadership authority other than simply helping to organize and coordinate the meetings. The coordinators would not be obligated to give any charismatic speeches or presentations; all they would need to do is simply pick some individuals from the area to lead the inspiration and/or open the floor for testimonies, points of discussion or business, etc. City Councils are encouraged on a monthly basis, but only one is required in any given three-month period.
Because witnessing is so important, and it's vital that the Home prays for its contacts and friends, and decides what their witnessing goals are and how they are going to meet those goals, etc., it is required that each Home have at least one Witnessing Meeting per month, in addition to their two required Home Council Meetings. Again, some Homes may find it necessary to have such meetings more regularly, and/or to address the subject during a portion of their Home Council Meetings.
The care of our children is of the utmost importance. Thus each Home with children is required to have a minimum of one Childcare/Parenting Meeting per month, although we recommend two. A small Home, one that only has seven children, for example, probably doesn't need to have two Childcare/Parenting Meetings per month; whereas a Home with more children might find it necessary. It will depend on the Home and the amount of children in it, but the minimum is one per month.
Children need to spend time with their parents, and so must have at least one hour of Parent Time five times per week. Although we feel it's best that they have it daily, we don't want to be unrealistic by demanding it seven nights a week, which may not be practical. If the parents or guardians are not in the Home for a number of days, they or the Home should assign someone to have Parent Time with their children. They should take the children's wishes into account when assigning an adult to be with them during Parent Time.
- Personal Time may be conducted by a Teamwork member or parent(s), or another competent voting member assigned by the Teamwork.
- Members ages 12-20 may put forth suggestions as to who they would prefer to have Personal Time with.
All members from ages 9 to 20 need to have Personal Time of one hour every two weeks, or alternatively open forums every week, if that is what they vote for. The Personal Time may be conducted by Home Teamwork members, parents, or other competent adults, YAs or even Senior teens.
The JETTs, teens and YAs may give suggestions as to who they want to have their Personal Time with. It may not always work out for them to be with the person they choose, but as much as possible the Home should try to comply with their wishes.
Anything shared within Personal Time talks should be treated as confidential information within the Teamwork and should not be unnecessarily shared with others.
If an age group votes to have an open forum, or pow-wow type meeting, then the rules for open forum discussions apply as follows:
a) If the Home's Officers have an objection to either the topic or the person chosen to lead the discussion, they should endeavor to settle the matter with the age group that chose the topic or person. If the matter cannot be settled through counsel and prayer, it should be decided by a two-thirds majority of the Home's voting members.
The teens and YAs can vote for who they would like to head the discussion, and they must inform the Teamwork of their decision. You'll notice that there is a clause stating that, "If the Home's Officers have an objection to either the topic or the person chosen to lead the discussion, they should endeavor to settle the matter with the age group that chose the topic or person." This is not to bottle up the teens and YAs and make them only discuss things that the Teamwork wants them to discuss. But we must remember that it is the Teamwork's responsibility to shepherd the Home, and if the teens decide they want to have an open forum discussion that is inappropriate--for example, on the benefits of heavy metal music--then the Teamwork has the authority to object. Or if the Teamwork feels that the person chosen to head the meeting is not qualified to lead a discussion on a certain subject, the Teamwork could object.
In such a case, the Teamwork should discuss their objections with the teens or young people. If the matter can't be settled by prayer and discussion, then it should be determined by a two-thirds majority.
The JETTs and OCs may suggest, but they can't demand, that particular topics be covered.
a) Adults may request to have Adult Personal Time with a specific Home Officer.
It is important for the Teamwork or other Shepherds to have heart-to-heart communication with those in the Home. Therefore every adult, which is everyone who has reached the age of 21, must have a minimum of one hour of Personal Time per month, with a Home Teamworker, or someone the Home Teamwork designates. The adult's preference of whom he or she wishes to have Adult Personal Time with should be taken into consideration, though it may not always work out.
The Home Teamworkers don't have to divide Adult Personal Time equally amongst themselves, but they all should be involved. The Adult Personal Time does not have to be in one consecutive hour slot, but if necessary can be divided up into two or more sessions totaling one hour. If those involved are in agreement, then the Shepherd can have personal time simultaneously with two people instead of one.
Matters discussed in Personal Time should be treated as confidential information by the Home Teamwork and should not be unnecessarily shared with others.
Family Days, in which parents and their children who live in the same Home spend the day together, are a vital part of our Homes and are therefore required. We feel that it's best to have them on a weekly basis, but requiring it weekly could be unrealistic. This would hamper road trips going out for more than six days, and other Home activities. Therefore, a minimum of two per month is required, though we recommend having them weekly when possible.
15. MARRIAGE RULES
Marriage, according to the Scripture, is the union of a man and a woman, as husband and wife. Members may freely marry within the Family providing they do so in accordance with the rules listed below. Those who marry enter into a covenant together between themselves and the Lord, committing themselves to love, care, and be responsible for one another and their children, in a Christ-centered union that glorifies God. Those who enter into such a covenant or contract should do so with the commitment that they will remain married and continue to function together as a married couple permanently. Nevertheless, there may be times when it becomes evident that a marital union is no longer glorifying God and is proving detrimental to children of the marriage, or in extraordinary circumstances one of the partners is called by God to a new direction in their work for Him. In such a case, the partners may wish to dissolve the marriage in accordance with the Permanent Marital Separation Rules (pg.159).
Besides accepting Jesus as their Savior, getting married is probably one of the most important decisions a person will make. Before a couple marries, they should determine in their hearts before the Lord and express one to another that they are committed to one another permanently, unless or until the Lord shall call them to be apart.
The commitment of marriage is a commitment to love and a commitment to the responsibilities of love.--That responsibility to love and care for your partner in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, even if your emotional attachment lessens over the years. Marriage requires God's love, that ever-enduring love that forgives, that overcomes bitterness, familiarity and failure, love that carries us through life's difficulties and keeps on loving.
Of course, there are relationship arrangements other than marriage. A man and woman may love one another and decide to room together, with the understanding that it is not a marriage but instead is a temporary union, which is their prerogative.
In order to declare their intentions, and to ensure that there are no misunderstandings within the Home, two people who have decided they want to get married should first announce their decision to the Home Teamwork and then to all the voting members. This way everyone in the Home is aware that they have become engaged to marry and that they are officially entering an engagement period.
Since there have been a number of questions in regards to the terminology, whether this period should be called "Make It Work" or "going steady," etc., we felt that calling it an "engagement period" would wipe the slate clean from any preconceived notions that the Family has had.
Prior to the actual engagement, couples should get to know each other well, and only make their engagement declaration when they are quite serious about the matter and are pretty sure they want to marry. Engagement is an actual commitment to marry, but it allows a contemplative period of at least three months for the couple to seriously seek the Lord and to determine that it is definitely the Lord's Will for them to marry. Of course, at any time after the engagement period begins, if either member concludes that it is not God's Will, then they can call off the engagement.
The period of engagement must last for at least three months, and once the engagement period is over, the couple is free to marry.--This doesn't mean that the couple must get married after the three months expire; they can marry at any time after the engagement period is completed. It's up to them.
During the engagement period, the couple should regularly seek the Lord and read His Word together in order to build a spiritual foundation on which to base their marriage. They should read Letters on the subject of marriage and appropriate portions of other publications such as "Marvelous Marriage" and "How to Love." They should also seek counsel from their Home Teamwork as to whether they feel that the potential marriage is of the Lord. They should also ask the Home to pray and hear from the Lord regarding the marriage. Having direct words from the Lord in prophecy is a great blessing, especially to refer to later when the marriage encounters difficult days. At such a time, having prophecies, visions or verses to look back on can provide a spiritual anchor for the marriage.
During the period of engagement it would be advisable for the couple to live in the same Home, though we cannot say they definitely must do so, as there may be some situations where this might not be possible. But regardless of where they live, they should try to regularly spend time together for prayer, reading of the Word, and spiritual interaction. The degree of interaction is up to the couple. Some couples, age permitting, may prefer to room together for their period of engagement, others may choose not to.
If either of those engaged already have children from a previous marriage, they would probably want to inform the children ahead of time about their plans to marry. Such changes can be difficult on children, and sometimes it's only when one of their parents decides to remarry that they fully come to grips with the fact that their parents are permanently separated. When children are involved, a lot of love, patience and explanation is necessary. The couple may decide that it's best not to move in together before they marry if they feel it will be difficult for the children.
If at some time an engaged couple decide that they don't want to marry, the Home should be informed of the decision.
a) Family Officers have no authority to forbid a marriage, except in the case of a 16 or 17-year-old when their parent(s) do not reside in the Home.
Although the Home, Area and Continental Officers have no authority to keep a couple from being married, it is certainly within their authority to offer advice and counsel on the matter. This especially holds true if they have reservations about or object to the marriage, in which case they are responsible to express their reservations or objections. But the final decision is, of course, up to the couple themselves.
In the case of a YA marriage, if their parents don't feel it's the best match or have objections, they should voice them to the couple; but since the two people involved are of legal age, the parents have no authority to forbid the marriage.
We include this clause because, while it's possible for an 18, 19 or 20-year-old to marry a 16 or 17-year-old, someone who is 21 or older cannot marry someone who is under 18. So a 23-year-old cannot marry a 16 or 17-year-old. If they want to marry, the couple will just have to wait until the younger one reaches 18.
There are times an 18, 19 or 20-year-old may fall in love with someone who is considerably older and may wish to marry them. In most countries, 18-year-olds are of legal age for marrying. In order to leave the door open for such a marriage, this clause has been included.
The restrictions placed on such marriages--namely, the period of engagement being at least six months, living in the same Home during the engagement, and refraining from serious sexual activity for the first three months--will hopefully deter any YA and older adult from getting involved for just sex.
Just the fact that there are some basic restrictions in place for this age group, as for the 16 and 17-year-old marriages (see points following), shows that we consider it to be out of the ordinary and something that would need to be handled slowly and prayerfully.
Because 16 and 17-year-olds are still fairly young and are considered minors in some countries, they must receive permission from their parents in the DO Family prior to the onset of their engagement
a) If neither parent of a 16 or 17-year-old reside in the same Home with their teen who wishes to marry, the Home's Officers have the authority to override the teen's parents' permission for the marriage.
We've included this clause to cover a scenario similar to the following: A 16-year-old teen's parents live in Japan and he, their teen son, has moved to Brazil. He joins a Home and falls in love with a girl in the Home. The girl is 17 and her parents live in that Home. The 16-year-old boy and the 17-year-old girl decide that they want to get married. The parents of the girl think it's fine; however, the Home Teamwork feels that the couple is not suited and the marriage is a recipe for disaster. In the meantime, the teen boy writes his parents and states that he's madly in love with this girl and he thinks she's definitely the woman for him, and the parents, without knowing much about the situation, having heard only their son's side of things, write and say, "OK, you have our permission."
Because the Teamwork feels that the marriage may not be a good union, and they have major objections to it, they can override the permission of the absentee parents, because the absentee parents are not there to personally judge the situation. If the teens get married and the marriage has problems, the Home in which they are residing is going to have to be the one to take care of the problems, so the Home Teamwork should have a say in the matter.
Now if the situation were a bit different, and at least one of the parents of the 16-year-old boy were living in the Home in Brazil, the marriage could go forward even if the Home Teamwork didn't think it was a good idea, because parents of both teens are resident in the Home and both are in agreement to their teens marrying. So the Home Teamwork only has the authority to stop the marriage if either of the teens do not have a parent living in the Home. (This authority only applies to Senior teens wishing to marry. Once a young person is 18 years of age or older, marriage is entirely their decision, and no one can prohibit them from getting married.)
b) Teens of TRF Supporter parents who intend to marry should notify their parents of their intent to marry.
a) In the case of pregnancy and the couple having decided to marry, if both members desire to live together, the three-month waiting period before rooming together is waived.
In the case where a girl is already pregnant and the couple has decided to marry, their rooming together is obviously not based on some passing infatuation. In "Go for the Gold" (ML #2961, GN 657), the Lord encouraged our young people who get pregnant to marry in most cases, and as was brought out, the young pregnant girl needs extra help, care and support, especially during the initial months of pregnancy. So in this case, where the girl is already pregnant or becomes pregnant during the first three months of engagement, the senior teens are permitted to begin rooming together, if they so choose, during the first three months of their engagement period.
In order to help two Senior teens who may feel they are deeply in love--but who may in reality only be very infatuated with one another--from getting married too quickly, there are additional safeguards.
First, any teens under 18 years of age must have at least one parent's permission to begin an engagement period. Second, the engagement period has been doubled, to six months instead of just three. Hopefully this additional time will give the Lord time to fully show the young couple His Will in the matter. And third, the teens must get their parents' final approval at the end of the six months before actually marrying. If the parents withdraw their consent, the marriage cannot go through, so must at least be postponed.
During their engagement, the 16 or 17-year-old couple are allowed to have the same sexual interaction as permitted for all other 16 and 17-year-olds.
Of course, becoming engaged in the first place is contingent on whether the 16 or 17-year-old has at least one of his or her parent's permission. If at least one of the 16 or 17-year-old teen's parents don't agree, then a teen under 18 years of age cannot even become engaged to be married.
16. PERMANENT MARITAL SEPARATION RULES
There have been numerous marital separations in the Family over the years. The rules which we are presenting here are significantly different from the rules that have been in place in the past. These new rules go into effect when this document is published (February '95) and govern only those separations that occur from that point onward.
Any permanent marriage separations that occurred before the publication of the "Fundamental Family Rules" remain in place, unless those separated mutually agree to get back together.
A permanent marital separation is the act of dissolving a marriage in the Family. If partners need counsel regarding their separation, or the division of their children, they may seek counsel from their Home, Area or Continental Officers.
Rules governing permanent marital separations are as follows:
When couples marry, they are making a pledge to remain married and united for as long as they live, and they should endeavor to make the marriage work. As Dad said, "I just believe in husbands and wives unless there's some terrible reason why they cannot possibly stay together.... I think when you've got children to consider, you can no longer selfishly consider yourself! You've got a family, and you need to consider the children who need a mother and a father, unless they're grown and married and gone!" (ML #332C:68,76.)
There are, however, times when the Lord makes it clear to both partners that it is His Will for them to no longer remain living and working together as a married couple, that He has a different path for each of them to follow. Their callings may be such that in order for them to both use their gifts and talents to the fullest they may need to be in different locations.
In other cases the couple may have irreconcilable differences, resulting in an inability to harmoniously function together as a married couple. In such cases, if God has clearly shown them both that they should no longer be married and that He has another plan for their lives, they are free to separate if they both agree.
There will be times when a couple can't decide if they should separate. One partner may feel it's God's Will to be apart, while the other partner feels they should remain together. In such cases the couple should seek counsel from their Home Teamwork and their VSs, and if necessary, their CROs. These officers should explore the reasons why the marriage is in trouble and offer counsel and prayer to help remedy the matter. They should help the couple assess their marriage, the fruitfulness of the union, the pros and cons of the couple remaining together and of their separating.
They may suggest a temporary separation of a specific amount of time, like three or six months, providing one of the partners can arrange a temporary stay to work in another Home. After this period of time, the couple could reassess their marriage and decide if they should remain apart or get back together. None of these measures can be forced on the couple; they must come to an agreement between themselves as to any changes in their marital situation.
If, however, in the end they do not mutually agree to a marital separation, then the marriage should not be dissolved, because both partners originally made a mutual vow to be married.
A marriage can be dissolved if one of the partners loses their DO membership. If one partner of the marriage ends up moving to TRF Supporter Status, the marriage can be dissolved after six months, even if the person going to TRF Supporter Status is not in agreement with the separation. But as long as both members are DO members, the marriage cannot be dissolved unless mutually agreed to.
If the partners agree to dissolve the marriage, or if one of the partners has lost their DO membership and the DO mate wants to dissolve the marriage, they must come to a mutual agreement regarding the custody of the children from the marriage. They can, and probably should, seek counsel and prayer on this matter from their Shepherds, but they must make the decision as to which children go with which parent, or if all the children are going to stay with one, etc. If they can't come to an agreement, they should seek counsel from their Area Office, and if necessary the CRO, who should prayerfully help them assess the situation and make recommendations.
The dissolving of a marriage and subsequent break-up of a family can be a very traumatic experience for the children. When making the decision as to which children go with which parent, the primary consideration should be what's best for the children. The parents should lay aside their personal interests, wants and desires, as well as any ill will they may feel for each other, and attempt to find what is best for the children. The children's needs and wants should be taken into consideration. All necessary factors should be taken into account and the couple should come to an agreement which reflects the best interests of the children.
There are many possible options. A couple could agree to a marital separation, but still remain in the same Home; thus their children would still have both the father and mother in the same Home. Another possibility would be for the couple to agree to separate and for each to take some of the children, but to live in nearby Homes for a year, so their children can still easily visit with each other. They may choose to implement an arrangement and then review it regularly to see if the children want to live for a period of time with the other parent. It is ultimately up to the couple to decide what the arrangement will be, though they can seek counsel from leadership.
If they cannot come to an agreement on their own, and after counsel with the Area or Continental Officers, they may have to move to TRF Supporter Status in order to work it out.
A written agreement that both parties agree to the marriage ending and specifically listing the final outcome of the children's custody should be signed by both mates and two witnesses, using legal names. (See Agreement of Permanent Separation and Guardianship of Children in Appendix B.) It would be best if the agreement and the copies were notarized. Both parties should keep a copy and one should be sent to the CRO.
Of course the couples can, if they choose, get a legal divorce.
17. PROPHECY RULES
Using the gift of prophecy to help find the Lord's will is a great blessing. As with all prophecies, what the Lord says in prophecy to those seeking guidance in personal matters should be prayerfully interpreted. Whether or not to implement what the Lord has shown is completely up to the individual(s) the prophecies were given for.
All prophecies that appear in a WS publication have been approved by Mama, our "Winetaster." WS leadership believes and supports and follows the prophecies they send out in the pubs as the Word of God, and suggests that Family members also believe, support and follow them to the best of their ability and according to their faith.
Before implementing a major directional prophecy received for your Home, the voting members, by a simple majority, must be convinced that it is the Lord's will. If such a matter brings about some confusion or conflict within the Home, the Home should seek the Lord for further confirmation. If it can't be sorted out by further prayer and discussion together and a Home vote, the prophecy should be passed on to your Area or Continental Office for their judgment.
If, for instance, a Home receives a prophecy that they are to increase the membership of their Home to 100 members, they must first obtain WS Leadership permission before doing so, since this would be contravening the Charter.
Any major changes in our fundamental Family rules or beliefs will be presented and confirmed in the GNs by Mama, our "Winetaster." (See "Three Gifts of the Lord's Love!" ML #3005:106-129, GN 647.)
To cross-reference that the ultimate responsibility for implementing directional prophecies given for individuals lies with those individuals, we have added a new point C to the Basic Rights of Individual Members on page 12.
If a prophecy is given for a voting member or their children, the decision to implement or not implement the prophecy is completely up to them, in accordance with the Prophecy Rules.
The member should seek the counsel of others who are gifted in interpreting prophecy, when trying to find the meaning of the prophecy. Both the person and those helping with the interpretation should set aside their own opinions, desires and plans and be open to what the Lord has said, but ultimately the decision is up to the individual(s).
Using the gift of prophecy to help find the Lord's will is a great blessing. As with all prophecies, prophecies received for those seeking guidance should be prayerfully interpreted. Whether or not to implement what the Lord has shown is completely up to the individual(s) they were given for.
Before implementing the directions of a prophecy received by you or given to you through someone else, you must be convinced that it is the Lord's will for you, and test the prophecy against the other ways to know God's will. You should not let someone pressure you or coerce you through prophecy, or any other means, into doing something which you are not convinced is the Lord's will for you. The Lord expects each one to make the final choice as to what His will is for themselves.
Also, in order to clarify how directional prophecies given for a Home are to be judged and interpreted, we have added the following paragraph to the explanation under point A in the Rights of the DO Home on page 60: "Before implementing the directions of a prophecy received for your Home, the voting members, by a simple majority, must be convinced that it is the Lord's will, and should test the prophecy against the other ways to know God's will. If such a matter has brought about some confusion or conflict within the Home and it can't be sorted out by seeking further confirmation or clarification from the Lord, prayer and discussion together, the prophecy should be passed on to your Area or Continental Office for their judgment, as outlined in the Prophecy Rules."
We have also added the following B.1 in the Responsibilities of WS Leadership and Publication Homes on page 72.
The Lord gives Mama and Peter His Words and messages for the entire Family, and He gives local prophets His messages for their situation. Prophecy received in the Homes should be judged according to the written Word, the Bible and the Letters, both old and new. Prophecy that goes beyond these should be submitted to your leadership and/or Mama and Peter before it is acted upon. Any major changes that come about in the Family will be given and confirmed in the GNs by Mama, our "Winetaster." (See "Three Gifts of the Lord's Love!" ML #3005:106-129, GN 647.)