Instruments of Identity

LivingStone International University is an established institution of New Testament Churches of Christ in Uganda. As such, it is committed to the catholic (universal) and apostolic faith, practice and piety. It is religious and explicitly Christian in its name, in its mission statement, and in its scripture: 1Peter 2:4-5. Its public worship is conducted in accordance with the Holy Bible.

Staff members are appointed to the University regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, or physical ability. Academic staff members are expected to study and teach freely in the tradition of Christian scholarship, remembering that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Students are admitted to the University regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, or physical disability. Students will be admitted to the University and continue in good standing so long as they observe and respect the Rules below.

The following Rule of Faith, Rule of Life, and Rule of Prayer constitute the “Instruments of Identity” of the University:

Rule of Faith

Seeking to love God with all our heart, as He has revealed Himself.

• We believe in one God in Three Persons, the Holy Trinity. God is known partially in various times and cultures but is fully revealed in Scripture as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• God the Father is the Source and Head of the Holy Trinity and possesses all authority in heaven and earth. He created the world, all things visible and invisible, and He is the ground of all truth.
• God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is truly God and truly Man, born of the Holy Spirit by the Virgin Mary, risen bodily from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the Father.
• Jesus Christ is the unique Savior, the Sinless One and Sin-Bearer, who died on the Cross in our place so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life. By God’s grace, baptized believers are saved through faith, being reckoned righteous for His sake.
• Believers are sanctified by the Holy Spirit the Counselor, Who distributes gifts, produces the fruit of good works, and unites His Church in love. A believer’s saved relationship with God begins as that believer is immersed in baptism to participate in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
• Holy Scripture, the Old and New Testaments, is God’s Word written, and its authors, moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God. The Bible contains all things necessary for salvation and is the final authority in matters of faith and practice.
• Jesus Christ is the Lord and has received all authority in heaven and earth. In obedience to His Great Commission, we are committed to personal evangelism, discipleship, social responsibility, and world evangelization. We believe Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, some to eternal life and some to eternal death.
• We expect all full-time staff, faculty, and University Council and committee members to affirm this rule without reservation. We encourage other staff and students to agree with this rule and expect them to refrain from denying it.

Rule of Life

Seeking to love our neighbors as ourselves.

• We shall worship the one true God and avoid polytheistic worship and the invoking of ancestral spirits or other powers.
• We shall avoid swearing and disparaging talk about God, or gossip about our neighbor.
• We shall respect public times of worship and rest.
• We shall respect the legitimate authority of the state, the family, the Church, and the University. We shall observe University rules and not participate in any public riot. Conviction of criminal, civil, or professional offences will be ground for discipline by the University.
• We uphold the human and civil rights of persons regardless of race, class, ethnic group, or gender, including the unborn, and we renounce any physical or verbal abuse or another person.
• We shall shun all sexual immorality, polygamy, adultery, fornication, and homosexual practice.
• We shall not steal or engage in financial dishonesty of any kind.
• We shall tell the truth and renounce all forms of plagiarism and false testimony.
• Men and women will dress decently and will treat each other with decency and purity.
• We shall exercise moderation in all things, avoiding the use of tobacco, drugs, pornography, or gambling. Use of alcohol is prohibited on campus, and drunkenness is an offence against the community.
• We expect all staff, faculty, and University Council and committee members and students to conform to the rule and refrain from denying it.

Rule of Prayer

Seeking to love God with all our soul and spirit.

• We shall worship and participate regularly in a congregation and in the University Chapel.
• We shall maintain a discipline of Bible reading and prayer.
• We shall give generously to the work of the Lord and to the poor and needy.
• We expect all full-time staff, faculty, and University Council and committee to conform to this rule, and we encourage all other staff and students to do likewise. All students may be required to attend worship on assigned days.

Enforcement

In the spirit of liberty and love, we urge all members of the community to be reconciled to one another. Breaches of discipline will be handled at the appropriate level of University authority according to University and Guild regulation.