Church on the Street (COTS)
Discipleship Dream Center Rules
July 1, 2010
The rules for COTS have been established for the
greater good of the men and women living in community which require holy habits and divine disciplines. These rules have been
carefully crafted and prayerfully considered to place spiritual guardrails and boundaries to undergird your journey as a committed
believer of Jesus Christ.
1. ADMISSION
1.1 Admission into COTS is a privilege and not a right. The application
to the
COTS discipleship program serves as written consent by all applicants
to the rules, regulations and the disciplinary
actions of the COTS security committee.
1.2 Upon admission, the residents must submit
all possessions and their persons to authorized inspection by COTS security of the same sex. This induction protocol includes
a urine analysis conducted by security.
1.3 An inspection may be conducted at any time
at the Dream Center facility, and adjoining Dream Center
property with or without cause for contraband: illicit drugs, drug paraphernalia, prescription drugs without a prescription,
alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. The inspection includes authorized personal searches by COTS security team of the
same sex. This is a maintenance protocol authorized executive ministry team.
2. SPIRITUAL LIFE
2.1 COTS is a Christ centered Discipleship Program
or Christian boot camp and as such requires Biblical training and education. The core component of the discipleship program
is based on the Biblical values of Christian evangelical teachings that require program participants to adhere to standards
of personal behavior to maintain the spiritual environment necessary to establish and maintain a Christian environment.
2.2 All mandatory meetings require attendance
of all Phases of the COTS discipleship program including COTS approved outreaches for those cleared to do so.
2.3 All program participants are required to attend all mandatory meetings
with
the exception of family emergencies as in a death in the family. Release
to attend family emergencies will be made by the executive ministry team.
2.4 Scheduled meetings, classes, study halls or
prayer times are vital community activities. A high degree of order must be maintained to achieve the goals of the discipleship
program. Therefore a concerted effort to eliminate distractions will include a prohibition on talking, unrelated reading,
writing letters, completing discipline assignments, using the restroom or getting a drink. Restrooms may be used before or
after services.
2.5 All phases of the discipleship program require
assigned seating areas in meetings with the exception of married couples and staff. It
is a requirement to sit in those designated areas assigned to you. You are not to sit in any other location.
3. PRIVACY
3.1 COTS is a residential live-in program with
an emphasis on community life. Personal privacy cannot be a reasonable expectation for discipleship participants.
3.2 COTS reserves the right to assign up to five
people of the same sex per room.
3.3 COTS reserves the right to perform room searches
at any time as authorized by the security committee.
3.4 COTS also reserves the right to use close
circuit TV in hallways and entrances for security purposes.
4. PROBATIONARY PERIOD
4.1 During the first thirty days of residency,
the disciple will be on probationary status. Any violation of the COTS rules by program participants will result in being
remanded to the ICE Unit.
4.2 Any program participant violating the legal
statutes of the law will be dismissed from the program without prejudice. This includes those participants on parole or probation.
4.3 During the probationary period the program
participant may decide to leave in good standing and without impunity.
6. FAMILY VISITS
6.1 Family visits are allowed in accordance with
the program privileges and restrictions guidelines. Family consists of immediate family Spouse, Mother, Father, Sister, Brother,
Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Grandmother, and Grandfather.
Proof of relationship must be provided. Boy friends, girl friend, ex
spouse, fiancé does not constitute family.
6.2 Hours of visitation are (for the men, Thursdays from 9am to 4pm)
(for the
women
Friday 9:30am to 4pm) and Sundays from 12:30pm to 4pm for both.
6.3 No girlfriends, boyfriends or fiancés shall be permitted to visit
on Family Day.
6.4 Family visits are not allowed if you are under disciplinary action.
6.5 All family visits must be approved by your assigned pastor
6.6 Family may sit with you in your designated seating area church services.
7. DRUGS
7.1 The terms drugs
includes alcohol, tobacco in any form, any illegal substances and/or paraphernalia as well as prescription medication that
is not prescribed to you.
7.2 You are not allowed to have any amount above
your daily prescribed amount of prescription medication in your possession/under your control at any time.
7.3 This also includes contact or association
with individuals under the influence of or in possession of the previous mentioned drugs.
7.4 While in the program you will be required
to submit to random drug tests and room searches.
7.5 A positive drug test will be grounds for immediate discharge from
COTS.
7.6 Refusal of a test will be considered an admission of guilt
8. VIOLENCE
8.1 Violence, abuse or threats of violence or abuse are not allowed at
any time.
8.2 This includes physical intimidation, swearing,
verbal threats, name-calling or threatening tone or level of voice toward staff or other disciples.
8.3 Horseplay will not be allowed as this can lead to aggressive behavior.
9. WEAPONS
9.1 No weapons of any kind will be allowed during the duration of the
program.
9.2 This includes firearms, knives, razor blades,
scissors, shanks or any other object that may be used as a weapon.
10. RELATIONSHIPS
10.1 In
phase one there is to be no dating or relationships between men and women.
Conversations are not permitted with the opposite sex. No flirting, note passing, gifts of any kind or inappropriate conversations
of a sexual or suggestive nature with members of the opposite or same-sex. This includes people in COTS, the Dream Center, or church as well as staff.
10.2 Phase two can date
provided they meet the following requirements
Must have a sponsor
Must have pastor approval
Must attend marriage class
Must have a chaperone to go
on a date
May go to McDonalds for no
longer than 30 min
Cannot ride together in a vehicle
alone
Two violation of any combination of the above rules will result in loss
of privilege for entire program
10.3 Disciples will conduct themselves as brothers
or sisters with members of the opposite or same-sex.
10.4 Disciples should limit their conversation to
greetings and may not engage in conversation with members of the opposite sex. If someone approaches you and initiates a greeting,
a polite, brief hello may be returned. If you feel uncomfortable with the conversation, excuse yourself from it. If the conversation
continues then or later please report it to your assigned pastor.
10.5 This includes disciples and staff. This also
includes visits with short-term mission team members. Note passing and any other form of communication for the purpose of
establishing a romantic relationship will not be tolerated.
10.6 The Bible prohibits homosexuality and lesbianism.
It will not be allowed and is subject to dismissal.
11. ILLEGAL ACTIIVITY
11.1 This includes any activity or behavior not covered
above that is prohibited by law, statue, or conditions of parole. COTS will inform the proper authorities of such violations.
Any COTS staff involved in obstruction of the law will be summarily dismissed from employment or volunteer activity.
12. MAIL
12.1 Letter writing is permitted and encouraged upon
admittance into COTS. As long as it is legal and permitted
by court
12.2 Letters are to be written during free time only
so as not to interfere with study, work time, services or outreaches.
12.3 COTS does reserve the right to inspect and censor
all incoming mail and packages as they are being opened by the addressee for security purposes.
12.5 COTS may, at staff discretion, restrict a disciple
from communicating by mail with specific individuals.
12.6 Disciples are encouraged to write their spouse,
children, parents or other persons designated as “family” on a regular basis.
12.7 All incoming mail needs to be addressed as follows:
your name, 3210 NW Grand Avenue Phoenix
AZ 85017 all boy/girl friend mail
will be returned
13. TELEPHONE CALLS
13.1 Upon entering the program the disciple is allowed
one five minute phone call Monday thru Friday from 4pm to 5pm.
13.2 Office telephones are for staff used only.
13.3 All telephone calls are limited to 5 minutes.
13.4 Telephone calls will be allowed as follows.
13.5 Disciples are not allowed to answer incoming
calls, but messages will be taken. Then the disciple may return the call during phone use hours unless it is an emergency.
13.6 An emergency is defined as a death, a life-threatening
circumstance or serious illness in the family, etc., and shall be determined by staff.
13.7 Pay phones are for use on free time only. Anyone
caught using the pay phones during non free time will be subject to discipline.
13.8 A telephone will be provided at a designated
location for use during phone use times. NO LONG DISTANCE CALLS ARE ALLOWED. You may call collect or use a calling card. This is done on a first-come first served
basis.
14. MEDICAL CARE
14.1 Only necessary medical and dental work is allowed
while disciples are in COTS.
14.2 Each disciple is responsible for their own transportation
and any medical bills they incur. Therefore, COTS will not be held responsible for these bills.
14.3 It is the responsibility of the disciple to inform
the staff of any chronic medical problems upon entry into COTS.
14.4 If it becomes necessary for the disciple to make
a medical visit, they must go directly there and back. Any unauthorized visits or stops to or from the facility are grounds
for dismissal.
14.5 COTS is not equipped to provide any ongoing medical or dental needs.
Therefore a disciple will
be required to leave to attend to such matters.
14.6 Prescription medications are to be turned in
immediately to General Manager’s office.
14.7 Disciples are required to provide their own medical
insurance or to apply for ahcccs if they have none.
15. VEHICLES
15.1 Phase 1 can have a vehicle with proof of current
insurance and registration keys will be placed with security and you will not be able to use the car until you graduate or
have a confirmed emergency.
16. FOOD
16.1 Food is allowed only in the designated kitchen
areas and nowhere else except staff and security rooms. Security rooms will be limited to one electrical appliance, microwave,
refrigerator, and a minimal amount of food.
16.2 The sale of any food or drinks on the Dream Center premises
is strictly prohibited.
16.3 A minimal amount of individual non perishable
drinks and snacks will be allowed in each room.
17.2 PERSONAL FINANCES
17.3 Disciples may
carry money at there own risk. COTS will not be responsible
for lost or stolen money.
17.5 Panhandling or borrowing money from other disciples,
instructors or any other Dream Center
residents is not allowed.
18. DRESS CODE
18.1 Disciples storage space for clothes is limited
to one drawer, ten hangers, and one neatly packed suitcase or plastic tote.
18.2 COTS T-shirts will be provided for each disciple
and must be worn every Sunday night to Phoenix First Assembly church service and every Tuesday during the tour.
18.3 Sagging or oversize pants, muscle shirts or sleeveless shirts for
men will not be allowed.
18.4 Sunglasses are not allowed to be worn indoors at any time.
18.5 All disciples are required to wear their name badges around their
neck at all times.
18.6 You must be fully dressed when not in your room.
18.7 Dress must be modest in keeping with Christian moral
standards.
All services or special events
18.8 No hats, head coverings, baggy clothing or sunglasses
may be worn indoors.
18.9 Work duty:
Proper clothes suitable for protection in the work department should be worn at all times.
18.10 General:
Pajamas are not to be worn outside your living area staff included. Clothing
with tobacco or alcohol ads or that endorsed drug use, illicit sex or secular music will not be allowed. No clothing with
objectionable words, phrases, or slogans No cross dressing will be allowed.
19. LAUNDRY
19.1 Laundry will be done on a weekly basis.
20. ROOMS
20.1 Rooms must be kept neat and organized at all times.
20.2 Furniture is not to be moved from room to room
without permission from the the Housing Director.
20.3 No candles or incense burning or open flame is allowed in rooms.
20.4 Personal possessions must
fit in the allotted storage space. Space allotted is one drawer,
ten hangers, and a neatly packed suitcase or plastic tote.
20.5 Nothing is allowed on the desk other than a clock,
family photographs or whatever you are working on at that particular moment.
20.6 Hot plates, toaster ovens, microwaves, etc. are
not allowed in the individual rooms.
20.7 Any book must fit in drawers or in a bookshelf if available.
20.9 You’re not allowed in another person’s
room without permission from members of that room. If you desire fellowship with another disciple you must use the picnic
table area, the common room or any other designated room on your floor for that purpose.
20.10 Quiet time begins at 10 p.m. and ends at wake-up
call the next morning. You must be inside and not out on the balcony.
20.11 There is no loitering on the balcony at any
time.
20.12 All rooms must pass a daily inspection failure
to pass will result in the following for all room members.
Phase one 1st time loss of pass and empty room, clean on day
off
2nd time 3 days out of program
3rd
time dismissed from program
Phase two 1st time 3 days out
2nd time dismissed from the program
21. HYGIENE
21.1 All disciples must
maintain personal hygiene habits on a daily basis. This includes but is not limited to taking a shower, brushing your teeth,
shaving (beards must be kept neat and trimmed) and wearing Deodorant.
21.2 If you need supplies for any of these, please let your RA know.
21.3 COTS will provide generic hygiene supplies when
available. If you have any special requirements or brand preferences it is up to the disciple to provide these items at their
own expense.
22. ACCOUNTABILITY
22.1 This is a discipleship school. The root word
of discipleship is discipline. It is for this reason you must inform your RA of your whereabouts at all times.
22.2 You cannot leave the property at any time without
the permission of your director and you must have an off property pass to leave and to get back on property.
22.3 Curfew begins at 10:00 p.m. and ends at wakeup
the next morning.
23. CHORES
23.1 You are expected to do your assigned chores at the designated times.
23.2 Any questions regarding work should be directed toward your RA..
23.3 If you are ill, have a fever or vomiting or other
acute illness you will be directed to the wellness center to see the nurse or your appropriate leader
23.5 Not feeling like going to work or being too tired
is not an acceptable excuse for not working.
23.6 Disciples should be dressed in appropriate work
attire prior to leaving for work assignment.
23.8 There will be
no breaks until the supervisor calls for a break.
23.9 When chores are
over, clean and return all tools to the tool room.
24. STUDY TIME
24.1 You are expected to be studying during designated
study times. Not sleeping in your room.
25. CLASSES
25.1 Disciples must
be on time for all classes.
26. LANGUAGE
26.1 In order to strengthen and encourage one another,
all street talk, cursing, backbiting, gossiping, jail talk, and sharing of past experiences among the students that is not
positive in nature, is to be stopped upon admission into the program.
26.2 It is also unacceptable to speak in a derogatory matter towards other disciples (same or opposite sex) staff
or any other COTS resident.
27. PERSONAL POSSESSIONS
27.1 Each disciple is allowed to bring some of his
or her own personal possessions as long as it fits into the disciple’s allotted space.
27.2 Certain items are not allowed at the facility.
They are as follows but not limited to: cell phones, pagers, TV’s, VCR’s, DVD players, PDA’s, computers,
or electronic games. (Nintendo, Sega, etc.) Phase 2 can have a cellphone.
27.3 All appliances must be turned
off when not in use,
i.e.… lights, radios, fans.
27.4 Personal music devices (MP3’s, CD’s
or cassette tapes only) will be allowed but only if it is Christian music and are non video capable. No secular or mainstream
artists.
27.5 Disciples are not allowed to use another disciple’s personal
items.
27.6 Disciples are not allowed to exchange or sell
personal items, belongings, or services to each other.
28. PORNOGRAPHY
28.1 Possession of or viewing pornographic material
in any form will not be allowed. Additional forms of inappropriate material include Victoria’s
Secret and Fredrick’s of Hollywood. Nude photography,
paintings or pictures classified as art are prohibited.
29. GENERAL ETIQUETTE RULE
29.1 All disciples will observe and maintain the utmost
courtesy and manners demonstrating Christian like characters and attitude toward others.
29.2 We follow the golden rule (Matthew7:12) “do
to others as you would have them do unto you.”
29.3 Rudeness will not be tolerated by leaders!!!!
30. PROBATION AND PAROLE
30.1 All disciples will be expected to cooperate with
all parole and probation agencies.
30.2 You will require proof that you are to appear with any officers
of the court.
30.3 No side trips are allowed you must go to your appointment and straight
back.
31. DISMISSAL
31.1 If an individual leaves or is dismissed from
the program it is mandatory that they take all of their clothing and personal possessions within three days. COTS shall not
be responsible for any clothing or personal possessions left behind by the disciple. Any personal clothing left behind will
be given to the Lord’s closet.
31.2 If dismissed from the program you may not return
for a minimum of 30 days.
31.3 If dismissed you are allowed on property for
church service only.
32. SCHEDULES
32.1 You are responsible to know and comply with your posted daily schedule.
32.2 You are required to attend all functions of COTS
and all COTS church services and be ten minutes early. All Phases are required to attend.
32.3 Any change to the schedule will be communicated through your R.A.
33. CHANGES
33.1 Church on the Street reserves the right to change these rules
at its discretion and notify all phase participants before these changes take effect.
34. WAKE UP
34.1 Wake up time is 4am Monday thru Friday. You
must be out of bed by 4:15 am not lying on the covers
or laying on the couch or sleeping in the chair. Failure
to comply will be 8 hours of work with Joe at the Men’s mission or Gift of Mary. Saturday and Sunday wakeup time is
5:30 am
35. DAY & OVERNIGHT
PASSES
First Phase day off pass men Thursday 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Women Friday 9:30
am – 5:00 pm. Program participants must be in the program 30 days, and the following circumstances are met: no pending
disciplinary action, current on home work assignments completed and weekly timesheet is turned in and approved by Phase One
Director.
The pass request must be made within 2 days prior of the pass date and
must include address destination and phone number. Those on parole or probation must, in the addition to the above, receive
approval from the COTS parole adviser, currently Joe.
All other passes such as marriage night, overnight, etc must be approved
by authorized personnel. Approved passes are returned Wednesday night before 10:00 pm
Medical appointment passes must be approved by the director of the Wellness Center.
Second Phase passes are not required from 6:00-5:00 daily as long as
there are no pending disciplinary action, current on home work assignments completed and weekly timesheet is turned in and
approved by Phase Two Director. Failure to comply will result in property restriction
Passes after 5 for less than one hour are approved in writing by Second
Phase Director. The Second Phase Director may issued a off property pass for times exceeding one hour. All other passes, marriage
night, overnight, etc, must be approved by authorized personnel.
Phase two room restrictions will be on the same day as phase one men.
In addition to this discipline a day will be added to their work obligations to TDC. Room restriction violators will be remanded
to The ICE Unit.
Phase Three
No pass is required before curfew at 10:00 pm provided the following
criteria are met.
There are no pending disciplinary actions, current homework completed
and the weekly timesheet turned in and approved. All other passes, marriage night, overnight, etc, must be approved by authorized
personnel.
36. GRADUATION
36.1 Upon completion of the six month program you
are eligible for a one week family visit before entering Phase Two or Three
36.2 You must request the visitation in advance through the director’s
office
36.3 You must leave the property to get the week off, if you stay on
property you are subject to all the
requirements of the your phase
36.4 The day after your graduation you can sleep in.
36.5 You are allowed to stay one week after graduation provided that
space is available.
36.6 Parolees mush have 2 week prior approval from Joe B.
37. PROPERTY DAMAGE
37.1 Destruction or damage to property is prohibited. You will be required
to pay for any damages you purposefully cause.
