The following is an overview of some of our expectations for the school.

We all come from different cultures... Your culture may vary greatly from that of the person you’re sharing a room with. What may be acceptable in your culture might not be acceptable to someone else’s culture. We have to be sensitive to those around us.

Beyond this, we also need to remember that though we all believe in the same Jesus and are trusting Him for our salvation, we all come from various denominations. Since this is the case, we have to put forward an extra amount of effort in order to be loving to those around us. This will require us at times to sacrifice our own ways and our own desires. Other times, it will just simply require us to be gracious to others. The bottom line is that we must lovingly prefer others. The Bible gives us the specific instruction not to cause another to stumble whether they are a believer or a nonbeliever. Let’s all keep this in mind as we get adjusted to our new surroundings and community life.


Lights Out:
Because many like to go to bed early on weekdays, lights out time is 10pm in your rooms. Feel free to stay up a bit later in the community area. Please be sensitive to those who are already asleep, by being quiet and keeping the appropriate lights off. Use a flashlight or a bedside lamp if you are reading, etc. You will need the sleep to be able to keep up with the schedule and to receive all that God has for you, not to mention the consideration that needs to be given to others with whom you live.

Quiet Times/Personal Devotions:
This is one of the most important times of the day, therefore we encourage you to spend this time with God - talking to Him, listening to Him, praising Him, reading His Word, etc. The rewards of this time cannot be over-emphasized. We are not insisting a particular time, but we do insist that you do at least have one a day. Be prepared to be asked if you’ve had one.

Meetings/Lectures:
You are expected to attend all meetings and to be on time. If you are not well, please see one of the school staff so we can be kept informed. If you are not well enough to get a staff member yourself, please ask another student to get one for you. Please don’t just send a message by another student. We want to touch base with you and see what we can do to help you get back into action. If you need to miss a scheduled event, please do not wait to the last minute to inform us. Please inform us in advance.

Skills Development:
Each student will be assigned an area for skills development. Each duty will be described in specific detail. This will be approximately 2 hours a day. Areas of involvement will be such things as wash up, dinner preparation, maintenance, etc. Occasionally there may be other things planned. Be prepared to be flexible. We will keep you informed as the school progresses.

Music:
We realize that individual music tastes vary greatly. Knowing this, we would ask you to use discretion and wisdom in your choice of music being played around others. It is best that all personal music be listened to on personal ipods/mp3 players.

Mentorship:
We are here for you. Please feel free to come up to any one of the staff if you need prayer or just someone to talk to. There will also be regular one-on-one talks with your small group leader.

Special Relationships:
A “special relationship” is when two people have developed a natural friendship and after sensing that there is more, they begin to pursue it romantically. We acknowledge that attraction is a natural thing, but we request for this season of time that you refrain from pursuing this kind of relationship. This is not because attraction is wrong, but because this is a special time devoted to being with God.


Dress Guidelines:
Modesty and discretion need to be exercised in the following:

Males:
Length of shorts: Keep at a minimum of half-way down the (upper) leg
Singlets are acceptable except while working in the office or during lectures
No speedos
No tight-fitting clothes
Please wear proper cover-up between bathrooms and bedrooms - (Towels are not acceptable)
Always wear shirts in public areas - (This includes sporting activities, unless on the beach or swimming)

Females:
No tight fitting clothes
Avoid gaping armholes and plunging necklines
Shoulder straps on all dresses and tank-tops/singlets are to be a minimum of 1 inch or 2.5 cm wide (2 finger widths wide). There is to be no cleavage showing, and no stomachs showing (no “half-tops” or “mid-riffs”)
Please wear a slip with light weight dresses and skirts
For shorts, dresses, and skirts, keep length a minimum of half-way down the upper leg
Girls please make sure the bathing suit is modest, whether it be one or two piece. The top should at least cover as much as a sports bra
Please wear proper cover-up between bathrooms and bedrooms (eg. knee level, and not see through bathrobes, no towels)
Girls please wear a bra at all times


We want to not be a stumbling block to others and to act in a loving way towards each other. We aren’t just speaking of guys stumbling, but we are also aware of offense to women of various cultures.

Something else to be considered is that many of our lecture times can be quite active. Appropriate dress certainly gives you more freedom to be involved.

Another consideration is that we would like to dress in such a way as to respect an incoming speaker who is offering his/her time to us. Some older folks have really different thoughts on this. Let’s try to respect them and not come to class looking like we are on holidays/vacation!! Please make sure that you look tidy and presentable, including making sure your clothes are clean and ironed.

Please note, we are not saying the above is the only right standard, but since many of us come from different places, we may have different standards of what being ‘modest’ is. Because of this, it is the staff who will need to determine modesty standards for this season in our lives. If you are in doubt as to whether some of your clothes are “OK,” please see one of the staff.

Miscelleneous:

No smoking on YWAM Property or with another person. Smoking is prohibited on outreach
No alcohol consumption throughout the DTS
No illegal drug use
No guys in girls rooms and no girls in guys rooms
Attendance to night/dance clubs is prohibited

Institute for the Nations, Australia - Brisbane Campus
Registered Training Organisation #0449 / CRICOS #02239E