NUMA

Chapel Policy

As a Christian institution, Northwest University is committed to the enterprise of student development and therefore, is intentional about providing a Christ-centered environment enveloping everything and every person. The spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development of all students is the primary focus of the University.

Northwest University expects that all students are actively growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ and are living lives worthy of the calling. We believe that sanctification is an ongoing process and that students will struggle from time-to-time in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is expected that all students participate in daily personal devotions, prayer, chapel attendance, regular group devotions and local church ministries.

It is the purpose of Campus Ministries to provide opportunities for students to know God, to know each other and to reach the world. There are many opportunities for students to become involved in discipleship, ministry, fellowship, worship and evangelism. These opportunities include: Chapel, Ministry Teams, Student Ministries, and Small Groups (Life Groups).

Chapel — CLIF 1790

Chapel events are the largest community expression of corporate worship on campus. Therefore, chapel attendance and participation are required components of the development process at Northwest. At various times each week, students, faculty, and staff, come together in a corporate time of worship to integrate faith, learning and living. These times together challenge, motivate and encourage the Northwest community through dynamic worship, inspirational messages and fellowship within the body. A variety of guests, faculty, administrators and student speakers, musicians, dramatists, etc., provide opportunities for students to be involved in praise, prayer and preaching/teaching of God's Word. All behavior and attitudes are to be honoring of God, loving of people and to extend beyond the walls of the chapel to every corner of every person's life. These corporate times together become a common bond that the Holy Spirit uses to unify the generations of alumni who pass through Northwest University.

Chapel Registration

Students are expected to arrange their schedule to meet the required days of Chapel attendance. Exemptions are not available for homework, busy schedules, lunch, on- or off-campus work schedules, and/or study purposes. Like any other required course at Northwest it is the students responsibility to meet the attendance requirements. Students must register for one of the two CLIF 1790 Community Life courses during registration. It is part of the Assemblies of God Commission on Higher Education endorsement (see requirements below).

Chapel Times

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  CLIF 1790 Section 01 — 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  CLIF 1790 Section 02 — 11:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
• Pursuit
  Monday Night Student led prayer and worship Chapel
  9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Small Groups
  Meet at various times during the week

Chapel Attendance Policy

• There are 39 chapel services, 11 or 12 Pursuit services and opportunity for 8 small group (Life Group) meetings each semester. With a total of 62 opportunities to achieve chapel credit, students are required to attend 35 Chapels, Pursuits or small group meetings to meet the Chapel requirement. Chapel attendance is recorded online at http://eagle.northwestu.edu/departments/campus-ministries/.
• Chapel attendance is taken as each student scans their student ID card prior to the service and scans it again when the service is dismissed. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will not be scanned.
• Pursuit attendance is taken as each student scans their student ID card prior to the service and scans it again when the service is dismissed. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will not be scanned.
• Life Group attendance is recorded by Life Group leaders electronically through the Campus Ministries website http://eagle.northwestu.edu/departments/campus-ministries/. Students may receive two (2) Chapel credits each month of the semester for Life Group involvement.
• If a student scans their ID card at the beginning of chapel, leaves during the service, and returns at the end to re-scan their ID card in an effort to make it appear that they attended chapel, they will receive an immediate failure for chapel.
• Students are expected to keep track of their chapel attendance records online at http://eagle.northwestu.edu/departments/campus-ministries/, and have five days following a service to email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if they think they mistakenly did not receive credit for a service they attended.

Chapel Attendance Exemption

Since attendance is the standard and not absenteeism, Northwest does not have a process to excuse absences for personal reasons (e.g., common illnesses, work, appointments). However, a specific chapel session can be excused for participation in athletics or other NU co-curricular activities by request from the faculty advisor and/or coach if the request is made in advance of the absence and approved through the Provosts' office. With nearly 60 opportunities each semester the student must manage their schedule to meet the required 35 Chapels, Pursuits or Small Groups. These allowable absences will cover all eventualities; including but not limited to illness, doctor appointments, field trips, academic meetings, prolonged classes for testing or other activities, family emergencies, court appearances, or other emergencies (traffic, car trouble, late arrival on campus, etc..)

Partial or full exemptions are granted to students who complete the Chapel Exemption Petition in the Campus Ministries Office and who meet one of the following requirements:

• Students who do not have classes on a given Chapel day.
• Off-campus students who do not have classes between 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on a given Chapel day.
• Student-parents who are responsible for caring for their small child(ren) during the Chapel hours.
• Students involved in student teaching, nursing clinicals, and other practicum assignments that conflict with the Chapel hour. In these cases, the Exemption Petition must signed by the Academic Success and Advising office.

Exemptions may be granted in part or in whole of the Chapel Attendance Requirements. All students are expected to attend chapel regularly until they are notified of their exemption status. All Chapel Exemption Petitions must be completed before the ADD/DROP deadline as determined by the Registrars’ office.

Chapel Failure Disciplinary Action

Chapel attendance and participation is vital to this Christian community. Therefore, students who choose not to meet the chapel attendance policy will be held accountable through the following process:

All students participating in leadership, music ministries, debate teams, drama, athletic teams, ministry teams, NUSG, Chapel ministries, student ministries and/or any extra-curricular activities must maintain a passing Chapel grade during the semester of participation and the semester immediately prior to participation. Failure to do so will immediately suspend participation.

Level

1. First Semester Failure – Letter that restates Chapel Policy.
   At the first failure the student must re-sign the chapel policy statement and turn it in to the Student Development Office. This policy verification is done online, when a notice is sent at the conclusion of the semester. Record of this will be kept by the Student Development Office.
2. Second Semester Failure - Provisional Citizenship Probation and potential activities suspension
   A student who receives a second failure, regardless of whether it is consecutive or cumulative, will be placed on Provisional Citizenship Probation, and the student’s continued participation in any activities that directly represent the University (including ASB, Ministry Teams, Musical Groups, Resident Life staff, Athletic teams, Campus Ministries Leadership, Debate, and Drama productions) will be re-evaluated by that activity’s coordinator and the Vice President for Student Development.
3. Third Semester Failure – Citizenship Probation, activities suspension, and loss of Northwest University scholarship funds
   Upon a student’s third failure, regardless of whether it is consecutive or cumulative, the student will be placed on Citizenship Probation and will not be able to participate in any activities that directly represent the University (including ASB, Ministry Teams, Musical Groups, RA staff, Athletic Teams, Campus Ministries Leadership, Debate, and Drama productions). In addition, the student will lose any Northwest University funded scholarship. A student should contact the Student Accounts Office to learn the kind of scholarship and/or discount he/she may currently have.
4. Fourth Semester Failure - Suspension
   At the fourth failure, regardless of whether it is consecutive or cumulative, the student will be suspended from the institution for a semester.
5. Re-engagement interview
   The student is able to return after a semester of suspension upon completion of a personal interview with the Vice President for Student Development. However, further unsuccessful chapel attendance beyond this point will result in immediate dismissal.

Student Ministries & Small Groups

One of the most important components of a student’s spiritual and academic development is in service to our community and to our world. Students are expected to faithfully and consistently participate in some aspect of Christian service either through a Northwest University Student Ministries Team or a local church. The primary purpose of the Student Ministries program is to provide opportunities and encouragement for each student to give practical, hands-on experience in living out their faith in God and applying their knowledge of God and His Word to real-life situations. A quality record of Christian Service can be a vital component in obtaining a career position prior to and following graduation.

The Campus Pastor and and NUMA Student Ministry Leaders are committed to helping students get involved in outreach ministries*. Potential opportunities are listed below.

• The Revival Prayer Team – Meets weekly to intercede on behalf of students, faculty and staff of Northwest. In addition, this team of students has been dedicated to praying for the world around us.
• Lighthouse – A ministry to the people of Seattle's University District. Each Friday night students commute to the University District to build relationships with people on the streets, occasionally bringing food and clothes.
• Prison Ministry – Students minister to inmates in the local prison system and youth in juvenile prisons.
• Pursuit – Monday night outreach to the students of Northwest. This time of prayer, intercession and worship has been an ongoing encouragement in the weekly lives of students. Pursuit is now a part of the weekly chapel schedule and is counted as chapel credit.
• Music Ministry Teams – Students have an opportunity to participate in music ministry teams that lead the student body in worship on a weekly basis and are involved in various outreach opportunities on campus and in the community.
• Summer Ministry Teams – Teams of students that primarily travel during the spring semester and throughout the summer.

* To get involved in any of these ministry opportunities, contact The Campus Ministries Office at 425.889.5308.

New Ministries

Students are encouraged to launch new outreach ministries as the Lord leads them. The Campus Ministries Office (425.889.5308) is available to help students suggest and/or begin new ministries. Northwest University is willing to sponsor as many outreach ministries as students can efficiently organize and spread the Gospel with excellence for the glory of God.

Student Tithes and Offerings

Students are instructed to tithe and give offerings regularly and consistently to support the work of Christ and His Church. It is proper for students to contribute to the local church where they worship and minister or to their home church. Offerings are received throughout the year from students, staff and faculty and are used to support Campus Ministries’ projects and Missions. Offerings may be given in chapel, online or to the Cashier anytime during office hours. If a Giving Receipt is required for tax purposes, a Giving Envelope is available from the Cashier in the Davis Administrative Center.

Church Attendance

Students are expected to choose a home church and attend faithfully while attending Northwest University. Students are also encouraged to find a place of service within the local church body. If help is needed in locating and choosing a local church in which to worship, fellowship and serve, the Campus Ministries Office has resources available.

Non-Student Ministry Guests/Groups

Groups or individuals may be invited to present their ministry or perform a service on campus provided that a need exists on campus for their ministry or services; provided they are not competitive with, nor antagonistic to an Assemblies of God program; provided they have an established positive and wholesome reputation; and provided that their coming will be complimentary to the vision, mission, and objectives of the University. The scheduling of such ministries requires prior administrative approval obtained from the Campus Pastor and the Vice President for Student Development.

Assemblies of God Commission on Higher Education Requirements

6.4. Spiritual Growth. Endorsed institutions in striving toward their spiritual formation goals shall:

6.4.1. Encourage the pursuit of spiritual maturity and excellence.

6.4.2. Encourage the pursuit of the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.

6.4.3. Stimulate an appreciation for the Word of God.

6.4.4. Develop a sense of appreciation for and responsibility to the Body of Christ and the Fellowship of which they are a part.

6.4.5. Encourage the provision of and give emphasis to private prayer in the daily schedule.

6.4.6. Encourage public prayer and worship on the part of both students and faculty.

COCHE Criteria, Page 13

6.4.7. Hold a minimum of three (3) chapels per week with attendance of all students required. Administration and faculty shall also be expected to attend in keeping with the institutional policy to which they are annually accountable. The primary focus of these three chapels in terms of time spent and emphasis would be on prayer, praise, and the proclamation of the Word. Class business sessions, student government meetings, and so forth, cannot be counted in the three required chapels. Additional organized opportunities for participation in spiritual enrichment activities such as Bible studies, prayer groups, and student ministries should also be provided and encouraged.

6.4.7.1. Graduate, Seminary, and Degree Completion Programs: Compulsory chapel attendance policies are not required in graduate, seminary and degree completion programs. However, schools with these programs are expected to make chapel opportunities and/or other appropriate spiritual formation activities available to students enrolled in these programs.

6.4.8. Use students in chapel services as a ministry development opportunity.

6.4.9. Include spiritual emphasis weeks in the institution’s calendar in which class schedules may be adjusted and evening meetings held.

6.4.10. Give strong emphasis to student participation in giving to world ministries causes including education.

6.4.11. Encourage the ministry of the Holy Spirit in campus life, including the possibility that classes and the regular program may be suspended for special times.

6.4.12. Establish and publish a written policy regarding required chapel and church attendance, to which the students shall be held accountable.