PARTICPANT EXPECTATIONS & POLICIES

The following is a list of what we as staff expect of you as participants during your time here at The Summit House Discipleship Program.

1. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION

a. We require that all participants and staff attend a local church weekly. 

b. We require full participation in classes, class work, work duties, worship, intercession times, and outreaches. Emergency leaves of absence need to be approved by staff. 

c. We value our weekly house meetings. If you have an emergency, please contact your Resident Assistant or staff at least one hour before the meeting time and let them know what’s going on. The only other reasons to miss a house meeting are work, school responsibilities, vacation, or family event. Please bring up your legitimate reason with your Resident Assistant or staff prior to your absence.

d. If you choose not to partake in church, classes, or house meetings, the house will defer to Consequences and Fines as defined in the "Consequences and Fines” section.

e. Part of ongoing progress in this program is the required daily check-in meetings with fellow disciples, such as with a Discipleship Partner, pastor, staff, and/or Resident Assistant. We hope that there is mutual trust between mentors/staff and participants in this area.

f. What happens in the house meetings stays in the house meetings. Absolutely no gossiping!

2. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

a. We expect you to uphold your financial commitments. A $40 late fee applies if monthly program fees are not paid in full by the 5th of each month or there is failure to meet payment arrangements.

b. If your move-in date is on or before the 5th of the month, the full amount will be due. If your move-in date is after the 5th the fees will be prorated. If fees have not been paid in full by the 10th, you must vacate the premises. Arrangements may be made with staff for a possible extension

3. CONDUCT

a. The use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited during The Summit Discipleship Program. If you struggle with tobacco use, we will encourage you to try quitting during the program at a time that seems best to us and to you. Smoking is not permitted inside and must be done in the designated areas of each Summit House.

b. Because we want you to view this program as a time set apart for you and the Lord, we strongly encourage all male/female relationships remain at a friendship level during the program unless you are married. Participants are not permitted to share living arrangements with the opposite sex or engage in sexual activity of any kind. We maintain the scriptural teaching that acts of homosexuality are sin. Please feel free to ask us any questions about these rules, and above all, stay transparent about these things.

c. Conflict will inevitably arise in close-quarters communal living. We ask that you use the conflict resolution model in Matthew 5:23-25; 18:15-17 to avoid negative feelings built up against one another and that you seek the counsel of your Resident Assistant to avoid further escalation.

d. Internet access can be a useful tool for productivity and maintaining communication, as well as a healthy escape when done in moderation. It can, however, become detrimental. As such, the staff reserve the right to enact guidelines and policies to limit and restrict certain media content and time consumption during the participant’s stay including but not limited to:

1. A pornography filter/monitoring app remain installed on smartphones and laptop, desktop, or tablet computers for the entirety of the program.

  2. No use of technology permitted during classes and house meetings.

e. No weapons, ammunition, explosives, knives (other than kitchen knives) are allowed on property: stored or concealed on your person.

f. Money is not to be exchanged between guests unless authorized by staff. This applies to selling personal items to fellow residents, personal loans, etc.

g. Lost keys are subject to a $15 fine.

h. Participants are responsible for securing the house.

4. DRUG & UA POLICY

a. This is a narcotic and benzodiazepine free house.

b. Talk to staff about any prescription drugs before bringing them into the house.

c. We cannot and do not restrict any individual from taking medications as prescribed by a licensed medical professional. To support a safe and stable environment, and reduce the risk of relapse or medication misuse, staff may implement specific medication-related expectations. Compliance with these expectations is a condition of participation in the program.

d. You may be asked to random UA if staff deem it appropriate. Please don’t take this personally. It is for everyone’s safety.

e. You will be asked to submit to a UA if two or more house members suspect alcohol or drug use.

5. WORK POLICY

a. Employment is strongly encouraged. Those without a job will be asked to find volunteer opportunities.

b. Working graveyard shift is not encouraged. It greatly disrupts the flow of the house and hinders program participation.

6. CURFEW & OVERNIGHTS

a. Curfew is 10pm Sun–Thur. and 12am Fri–Sat. Please call Resident Assistant or staff for later times.

b. Participants who have completed 6+ months of the program may stay away from the house two nights per week. Special permission is required for participants who have completed less than 6 months of the program, or for stays lasting longer than three nights consecutively.

7. QUIET HOURS

a. Quiet hours are 10pm – 7am Sun-Thur. and 12am – 8am Fri and Sat.

b. Stereos, TV’s, & loud talking must be kept at a respectable volume out of respect for others during this time.

8. VISITORS

a. Visitors are subject to all the house rules. 

b. Visitors are your responsibility. Whatever they do, you did!

c. You may not leave your visitors in the house while you leave.

d. Do not allow your visitors to roam the house.

e. Members of the opposite sex are not allowed in your room.

f. Be mindful of your housemates pertaining to visitors.

g. No visitors past curfew hours.

9. BEDROOM USE

a. You must occupy your own bedroom.

b. Do not enter another member’s bedroom without their permission.

c. Members of the opposite sex are not allowed in your room.

d. You are encouraged not to eat meals in your room.

e. All rooms are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Newly vacated rooms may be available for remaining participants to move into. Seniority determines who may switch rooms.

f. Your room is to be always kept clean and presentable. 

g. Rooms will be inspected without notification.

h. Televisions, game consoles, speakers, and furniture in rooms are subject to staff approval

i. Lights and other utilities must be shut off when the participant is absent from their room to save costs.

j. You must have permission to paint, change, repair, or improve your room.

k. You must have permission to have a door lock.

l. No occult items such as Ouija boards, pentagrams etc. allowed on house premises. 

m. Cooking is not permitted in bedrooms.

10. BATHROOM USE

a. Bathrooms and showers are on a first come, first served basis. 

b. Be mindful of others when using the showers. They need hot water too.

c. Do not flush feminine products, mass amounts of toilet paper, cigarette butts, or any items down the toilet that may clog the toilet.

d. Keep bathrooms clean.

e. No use of hair dyes or bleach (unless by permission) in bathrooms.

f. You are to provide your own shower supplies (soap, shampoo, etc.).

11. KITCHEN USE

a. Kitchen and stove use are on a first come, first served basis.

b. You are expected to clean up and wash your dishes after you are done. Do not pour grease down the drain.

c. Clean up all liquids that spill on the floor. Liquids left on the floor will damage the flooring.

12. LIVING ROOM USE

a. Do not sleep on couches. No dirty feet or socks on furniture. 

b. No inappropriate public display of affection with your significant other.

c. Keep TV volume to a reasonable level.

13. LAUNDRY

a. Established hours for doing laundry may be implemented by Resident Assistant or staff and are on a first come first serve basis.

b. Please be mindful of others and keep your laundry flowing in a timely manner.

c. Washers and dryers are for house residence only.

d. Be mindful of your housemates that may be sensitive to heavily fragranced detergents and dryer sheets.

14. CHORES

a. Each house is responsible for maintaining a system for implementing active chores assignments. Any changes to the house chores system must be made unanimously.

b. Don't expect the person with a particular chore to clean up after you; don't expect anyone to clean up after you, period.

c. If you can't complete your chore, speak with Resident Assistant or staff.

d. Common areas to be kept free of all personal items. 

15. HOUSE SUPPLIES

a. The Summit House supplies paper towels, toilet paper and light bulbs.

b. Bring supplies requests to Resident Assistant.

16. FOOD

a. Assigned cabinet and refrigerator space are provided for each guest's personal food.

b. Guests can opt into either contributing to a shared pantry.

c. Eating someone else’s food without permission is considered stealing.

17. AUTOMOBILES

a. One car per house member allowed.

b. Car must be registered, licensed and insured to the responsible party.

c. If car is not running, it needs to be fixed within two weeks or removed from property.

18. PETS

a. All pets are subject to house lease terms and staff approval.

19. CONSEQUENCES & FINES

a. The first warning is verbal given by staff with six hours to comply.

b. The second warning is written by staff and given by Resident Assistant or staff with six hours to comply.

c. Staff will determine whether to impose a $30 fine or require four hours of community service work as the third warning. Fines must be paid within three days, and community service must be completed within 12 hours.

d. Failure to observe the third warning is grounds for expulsion.

e. All fines are to be collected by the Resident Assistant to give to staff, or by staff directly.

f. All fines and community service are to be put toward house needs.

g. Theft, sexual relations in house, 48 hour no-call/no-show, violence, possession of weapons, and use or possession of drugs on your person or on the property is a ONE STRIKE POLICY.

20. EXPULSION

a. You will be expelled from the program and house immediately for a positive UA, violent behavior, destruction of property, possession of a weapon, stealing, compulsive gambling, selling of drugs, having sex in the house, collusion, and disruptive behavior.

b. If you are expelled, you have exactly 30 minutes to get some of your things and leave. 

c. You have 72 hours to call and collect the rest of your things.

d. All program fees, including fees paid in advance, and deposit paid are forfeited if expelled from the house.

e. Expelled guests are responsible for removing all personal property from the house premises.

f. Expelled guests are responsible for leaving their bedroom clean and ready for the next person.

g. If money is owed to the house, you agree that any and all of your possessions that are at The Summit House can be held as collateral.

h. If possessions are not retrieved within 3 days from expulsion they can be disposed of in any Envision Mission sees fit.

i. If expelled, you can apply again in 30 days. Re-entry must be approved by house vote.

j. If expelled, you will be asked to turn your key over immediately.

21. MOVING OUT

a. Please give two weeks or more notice of the date you plan to move out. 

b. All financial obligations to the program need to be paid in full before leaving the house.

c. Please clean your bedroom, closet, bathroom and kitchen areas for the next person.

The Participant Expectations & Policies of the Discipleship House Rules are subject to change depending on conditions at the house to provide a peaceful, sober environment. You will always be notified of any changes.