Often, disagreements on issues can be resolved simply be defining terms. Some terms have been at the heart of disagreements between Agathos Ministry leadership and those outside of Agathos Ministries. As additional terms are put at issue, or definitions are requested, we will post them here. Terms/Phrases are alphabetical.

DIVORCE - "The legal recognition of a relationship long since torn asunder." We teach that married couples should pursue a close relationship with one another, not merely preserve a legal status. We also maintain that the Bible does NOT teach that Divorce is acceptable in the case of adultery. We are told Divorce was given due to hardness of heart, which we believe still exists. We are told that Divorce is acceptable is the other person "Leaves," so what constitutes a "leaving" is at issue. We maintain that Adultery, Abuse, and Addictions would constitute a "leaving" by our practices, however, since the Bible specifically says "God hates divorce" every reasonable attempt must be made to preserve the marital relationship. We do not believe jeopardizing the safety of the children or a spouse would be reasonable. We readily admit that our expectations on a married person may seem extreme to most people before we would approve of a divorce, and divorce, even done in the best way possible will nonetheless be a disqualifier from leadership for a minimum of six months.
Questions? Info@AgathosMinistries.org

GOSSIP - "Spreading negative information about someone to a person who is not part of the problem or part of the solution." Basic Test: 1) Will this reflect badly on someone? If so, it is the sort of thing that would be considered gossip. 2) Am I part of the problem or the solution? If not, I probably should not even know about it, and if I'm the LISTENER to gossip, I should interrupt the person and tell them that I would rather not be a party to gossip or, if you know the person about which the gossip is speaking, tell the gossip that you will be happy to disucss the matter with the person he/she is talking about. 3) Is the person to whom I'm speaking part of the problem or part of the solution? If not, then I should probably not be telling this person. And 4) Is it true? (with "How do I know?") EVEN IF we pass the other tests, how do we know what we are saying is true? Have we confirmed it? Often when something begins with "Did you hear...?" we know we're in trouble already. Generally, we should be more willing to talk TO someone than talk ABOUT someone. Solving Gossip is relatively easy - don't do it, don't listen to it, and if it's going on, get the person who is the subject of the gossip involved. If we are saying something we would not be comfortable saying if the person were there to tell their side, and if we do not have enough interest in the truth to want to know their side, then we probably should not be talking about it. Gossip may be disguised as a "prayer request," or "concern for so-and-so" or other spiritual sounding disguises, but GOSSIP IS DAMAGING. It leads less mature people to pass judgment on people they do not know, it destroys relationships, and it destroys trust. NOTE: If a person will Gossip TO You, that person will Gossip ABOUT You. Do not participate! As a matter of fairness, if you know a story is "going around" about someone, then that person has a right to know what others are saying.

HERESY - "A belief in contradiction to the Bible." Basic Test: A belief is heretical if a stated belief is true, then the Bible is not true, OR if the Bible is true, then the stated belief cannot be true. Example: The Bible says there is One God. A belief in more than One God would, therefore, be heretical. There are many differing and legitimate interpretations of peripheral issues, and at Agathos Ministries we are more interested in people being Biblical and self-consistent than we are interested in total agreement. If a position is legitimately supported by Scripture, even if we happen to disagree, we will be respect the position.

LUST/COVETING - "A strong desire with an intent to fulfill that desire." Basic Test: "I would if I could" meaning if there were no consequences, no one would know, no feelings of guilt, everyone involved is ready, willing and able - would you be willing to do a wrong thing to get what you want? If the ONLY reason to say "no" is that an action is Wrong, would you? Desire alone is not Lust/Coveting, though many churches define it that way. Recognizing the desireability of a thing is not lusting/coveting, though some churches definte it that way, too. Of key importance is honest self-evaluation. See definition of Prideful.

PRIDEFUL - "Placing one's own thoughts, feelings or opinions above the Truth." Basic Test: Are you willing to reconsider your position if the evidence goes against you? There is nothing wrong with supporting your position, nor is there anything wrong with starting with a reasonable presumption, but Truth should always trump our thoughts, feelings and opinions. Refer to our number one Core Organzing Belief: Reality is More Important Than Anything We Believe. An unwillingness to understand opposing points of view is evidence of Pridefulness, as is an unwillingness to consider the merits of a good case against you, even if you maintain your original position.