Our goal is to foster the development of character and spiritual maturity in all students in a positive, safe learning environment.  Therefore, the following six “pillars” of character will be utilized to train students and help them evaluate the appropriateness of their attitudes and actions.

PILLARS OF CHARACTER

1.  TRUSTWORTHINESS (Honesty; Integrity; Reliability)
 Be honest.  Don’t deceive, cheat or steal.  Be reliable; do what you say you will do.  Have the courage to do the right thing.
PROVERBS 12:22  --  The Lord detests lying lips but  delights in the men who are truthful. (NIV)
James 4:17 – Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.  (NLT)
Proverbs 12:19 – Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
2 Corinthians 4:2 -- We reject all shameful and underhanded methods.  We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God.  We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that.  (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:6 – Love… does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.  (RSV)

2.  RESPECT (Cooperation; Courtesy; Consideration)
Treat others with respect; follow the “Golden Rule.”  Use good manners and do not use bad language.  Be considerate of the feelings of others.  Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone.  Respond peacefully to anger, insults and disagreements.  Accept each person as uniquely created in God’s image.
Philippians 2:3 -- Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.  (NAS)
Romans 13:9b-10a – You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  Love does no wrong to a neighbor.  (NAS)

3.  RESPONSIBILITY (Self-Discipline; Hard Work; Persistence)
Do what you are supposed to do.  Persevere; keep trying!  Always do your best.  Use self-control.  Be self-disciplined.  Think before you act; consider the consequences.  Accept responsibility for your choices.
Galatians 6:4-5 – Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct.  (NLT)
Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (NIV)
Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus…  (NLT)

4.  FAIRNESS (Justice; Equality of Opportunity)
Play by the rules.  Take turns and share.  Listen to others.  Don’t take advantage of others.  Don’t blame others carelessly.
Isaiah 56:1 – “Be just and fair to all,” says the Lord.  “Do what is right and good…”  (NLT)

5.  CARING (Kindness; Empathy; Compassion)
Be kind.  Be compassionate and show you care.  Help people in need.  Seek to understand others.  Be thankful.  Forgive others.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Make sure that nobody pay back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (NIV)
John 15:12 – My commandment is this; Love each other as I have loved you.  (NIV)
Luke 10:30-37 – The parable of the Good Samaritan.  “…Then the despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity.  Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them.  Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him into an inn, where he took care of him.”  (NLT)
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  (NLT)

6.  CITIZENSHIP (Service; Honor)
Do your share to make your home, church, school and community better.  Cooperate.  Be a good neighbor.  Serve others.  Respect law and authority.  Protect the environment.
Matthew 20:26-28 – “…but among you it should be quite different.  Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave.  For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others…”  (NLT)
1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do good.  Seek justice.  Help the oppressed.  Defend the orphan.  Fight for the rights of widows.  (NLT)
Galatians 6:10 – Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone…  (NLT) Romans 13:1 – Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there.  All governments have been placed in power by God.  (NLT)