Statement of Faith

1Preamble

Shepherds Only Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a Christian faith-based nonprofit organization established to strengthen, support, encourage and provide for persons called to the work of Christian ministry.

The Foundation recognizes the sacred responsibility carried by those who devote themselves to the service of God and His people. Its work is therefore undertaken as an expression of Christian stewardship, compassion, honour and obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

This Statement of Faith declares the foundational Christian beliefs upon which the Foundation is established and from which its mission, values, governance and ministry identity proceed.

It is not intended to resolve every theological question on which faithful Christians may reasonably differ. Rather, it establishes the essential doctrines that define the Foundation’s Christian character and provides a common spiritual foundation for its governance and mission.

2The Holy Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God.

We believe that Scripture is authoritative for Christian faith, doctrine and conduct and provides the governing spiritual standard by which the Foundation understands its calling and carries out its Christian mission.

We affirm the sufficiency and reliability of Scripture in revealing God’s purposes concerning salvation and Christian life.

Accordingly, the Foundation shall seek to conduct its affairs consistently with biblical principles of truth, justice, mercy, integrity, stewardship, compassion and love.

Scripture 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12.

3The One True God

We believe in one eternal and sovereign God, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

We believe that God eternally exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit: distinct in Person, one in divine being, glory and majesty.

God is holy, righteous, loving, merciful, faithful and just.

He alone is worthy of worship, honour and obedience.

Scripture Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 4:11.

4The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and the Word made flesh.

We believe that Jesus Christ:

• was conceived by the Holy Spirit;
• was born of the virgin Mary;
• lived a sinless life;
• fully revealed the Father;
• proclaimed the Kingdom of God;
• performed mighty works;
• suffered and was crucified;
• died for our sins;
• was buried;
• rose bodily from the dead on the third day;
• ascended into heaven;
• is seated at the right hand of the Father;
• intercedes for His people; and
• will return in glory.

We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and affirm that salvation is found in Him.

Scripture Matthew 1:18–23; John 1:1–14; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Philippians 2:5–11; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 1:9–11.

5The Death and Resurrection of Christ

We believe that through His death on the cross, Jesus Christ offered Himself for the sins of humanity and accomplished the work necessary for reconciliation between God and humanity.

We believe in His bodily resurrection from the dead and affirm that the resurrection is central to the Christian faith and the believer’s hope of eternal life.

Scripture Isaiah 53:4–6; Romans 3:23–26; Romans 5:8–11; 1 Corinthians 15:12–22; 1 Peter 2:24.

6The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is fully divine and active in the world and in the Church.

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts concerning sin, brings new life, indwells believers, sanctifies, comforts, teaches, guides and empowers Christians for holy living, witness and service.

We believe that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts according to His will for the building up of the Body of Christ and the advancement of God’s purposes.

Scripture John 14:16–17; John 16:7–15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9–16; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Galatians 5:22–25.

7Human Dignity

We believe that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possesses inherent dignity and worth.

Accordingly, every person encountered through the Foundation’s work shall be treated with respect, compassion, fairness and dignity.

No person’s vulnerability, poverty, disability, age, social condition or dependence upon assistance shall be exploited.

Scripture Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 8:4–6; James 3:9; Matthew 22:37–39.

8Sin and Human Need

We believe that humanity has been affected by sin and that all people stand in need of God’s grace and redemption.

Sin separates humanity from God and affects human relationships and the created order.

Human reconciliation with God cannot ultimately be achieved through wealth, status, religious achievement or human effort, but through God’s grace.

Scripture Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–9.

9Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God, made possible through Jesus Christ.

We believe that salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and involves repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation with God and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Good works do not purchase salvation; rather, Christian service and good works flow from a life transformed by God’s grace.

Scripture John 3:16; Romans 10:9–10; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:4–7; Acts 2:38.

10The Church

We believe in the universal Church, the Body of Christ, consisting of those who belong to Jesus Christ.

The Church is called to worship God, proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, demonstrate God’s love, serve humanity and bear witness to the Kingdom of God.

The Foundation recognizes that the universal Church is expressed through many churches, ministries, fellowships, denominations and Christian traditions.

The Foundation does not exist to replace the local church, exercise ecclesiastical control over churches or create a superior denominational authority.

Rather, it exists to serve those whom God has called to serve His people.

Scripture Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 4:11–16.

11The Call to Ministry

We believe that God calls and equips people for Christian ministry and service.

We honour those who faithfully labour in preaching, teaching, evangelism, pastoral care, missions, church leadership and other forms of Christian ministry.

The Foundation recognizes the biblical principle that those who devote themselves to spiritual service should not be forgotten, dishonoured or unnecessarily abandoned in times of material need.

Supporting ministers is therefore understood by the Foundation not merely as philanthropy, but as Christian stewardship and service.

Scripture 1 Corinthians 9:7–14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17–18; Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:7.

13Love of God and Neighbour

We believe that love for God and love for neighbour are fundamental to Christian life.

The Foundation shall therefore seek to demonstrate compassion, generosity, humility, patience, mercy and practical care in its relationships and programmes.

Scripture Matthew 22:37–40; John 13:34–35; 1 Corinthians 13:1–7; 1 John 4:7–12.

14Holiness and Christian Character

We believe Christians are called to lives that reflect the character of Christ.

The Foundation therefore values integrity, faithfulness, humility, self-control, honesty, purity of motive, forgiveness, accountability and responsible stewardship.

Persons entrusted with authority or resources within the Foundation are expected to exercise that responsibility faithfully and not for personal enrichment, manipulation or abuse.

Scripture Galatians 5:22–23; Colossians 3:12–17; 1 Peter 1:15–16; Titus 2:7–8.

15Prayer

We believe in prayer as an essential expression of relationship with God and dependence upon Him.

Prayer may therefore form part of the spiritual life, meetings, gatherings and ministry activities of the Foundation.

The Foundation shall nevertheless exercise prayer ministry responsibly and shall not use prayer to manipulate, intimidate or exploit any person.

Scripture Matthew 6:5–13; Philippians 4:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; James 5:13–16.

16Stewardship

We believe that everything entrusted to us ultimately belongs to God and must be administered faithfully.

Money, investments, property, information, influence, relationships and other resources entrusted to the Foundation shall therefore be managed prudently, transparently and consistently with the Foundation’s charitable purposes.

Christian faith shall never be used as justification for financial secrecy, misuse of charitable property, self-dealing, corruption or avoidance of lawful accountability.

Scripture Psalm 24:1; Luke 16:10–12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 8:20–21; 1 Peter 4:10.

17Christian Unity

The Foundation recognizes that faithful Christians may disagree concerning secondary matters of doctrine and church practice.

Such matters may include forms of worship, modes of baptism, church governance, liturgical traditions, eschatological interpretations, terminology concerning spiritual gifts and other denominational distinctives.

Where such differences do not contradict the Foundation’s foundational Christian convictions, they shall not ordinarily prevent cooperation or participation.

The Foundation seeks unity around Jesus Christ rather than uniformity of denominational tradition.

Scripture John 17:20–23; Romans 14:1–13; Ephesians 4:1–6.

18Denominational Independence

Shepherds Only Foundation is not established for the exclusive benefit of any single Christian denomination, congregation, network or ministerial association unless its governing documents expressly provide otherwise.

Subject to the Foundation’s eligibility and due-diligence requirements, Christian ministers from different denominations and traditions may be considered for support.

No church or denomination acquires ownership, governance rights or preferential entitlement to the Foundation’s assets merely because persons associated with it have contributed to, participated in or received assistance from the Foundation.

20Support Shall Not Be Used for Religious Coercion

The Foundation’s Christian identity shall be maintained openly and without apology.

At the same time, charitable assistance shall not be used as an instrument of improper religious coercion.

Where the Foundation provides humanitarian, emergency or compassionate assistance outside its primary minister-support programmes, a vulnerable person’s immediate need shall not be exploited to compel a profession of faith, financial contribution, church membership or other religious commitment.

21Institutional Christian Identity

This Statement of Faith forms part of the Foundation’s institutional identity.

The Board shall have responsibility for protecting that identity and ensuring that the Foundation’s activities remain consistent with its lawful objects, governing documents and Christian mission.

Material departures from this Statement shall be addressed through appropriate governance procedures.

22Directors, Trustees and Senior Leadership

Because directors, trustees and senior officers exercise fiduciary and strategic responsibility for preserving the Foundation’s mission, the Foundation may require persons occupying designated faith-governance positions to affirm, uphold and not knowingly act contrary to this Statement of Faith, subject to applicable law and the Foundation’s governing documents.

The precise positions subject to such requirement shall be determined by the Foundation’s constitution, bylaws or Board-approved governance policies.

23Employees, Volunteers, Contractors and Partners

Not every person who works with, supplies services to, volunteers for or partners with the Foundation must necessarily belong to the same denomination or Christian tradition.

Requirements concerning affirmation of this Statement shall depend upon the nature of the role, the degree to which the role represents the Foundation’s Christian ministry, and applicable law.

All persons acting on behalf of the Foundation shall nevertheless be expected to respect its Christian identity and comply with applicable organizational policies.

24Beneficiaries

Receiving assistance from the Foundation does not make a beneficiary a member, employee, trustee, director or agent of the Foundation.

Eligibility for programmes shall be determined under the relevant programme rules.

Where a programme is specifically established to support Christian ministers, the Foundation may reasonably require evidence that an applicant falls within the religious and ministerial class for which that programme was established.

Such verification should be undertaken consistently, respectfully and according to documented eligibility criteria.

25Safeguarding

No religious doctrine, spiritual office, prophetic claim, pastoral relationship or ministerial authority may be invoked to excuse abuse, exploitation, harassment, violence, sexual misconduct, financial misconduct or other conduct prohibited by law or Foundation policy.

Allegations of misconduct shall be addressed under the Foundation’s applicable safeguarding, whistleblowing, disciplinary, risk and governance procedures.

Spiritual authority does not place any person above accountability.

26Financial Integrity

The Foundation rejects bribery, corruption, fraud, misappropriation, deceptive fundraising and improper personal enrichment.

All resources entrusted to the Foundation shall be administered in accordance with its charitable purposes, financial controls and applicable law.

No person shall acquire a personal entitlement to Foundation assets merely because of spiritual office, founding status, donor status or relationship with a beneficiary.

27Truthful Representation

The Foundation shall seek to communicate truthfully about its activities, finances, beneficiaries and impact.

Testimonies, photographs, beneficiary stories and ministry claims shall not knowingly be fabricated, manipulated or materially misrepresented for fundraising or publicity.

Where personal stories are shared, dignity, privacy, safeguarding and appropriate consent shall be respected.

28Respect for the Law

The Foundation recognizes lawful civil authority and intends to conduct its activities in accordance with applicable law.

Nothing in this Statement of Faith shall be interpreted as authorizing unlawful conduct, financial impropriety, abuse, discrimination prohibited by applicable law or interference with the lawful rights of others.

Scripture Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17.

29Political Independence

The Foundation’s Christian convictions may inform its understanding of moral and social issues.

However, the Foundation shall not allow its charitable resources, spiritual authority or beneficiary relationships to be improperly used for partisan political purposes or personal political advancement.

Any public-policy engagement undertaken by the Foundation shall be subject to applicable law and its governing policies.

30Essential and Secondary Doctrines

For governance purposes, the Foundation distinguishes between:

The Foundation shall avoid unnecessary doctrinal tests concerning secondary matters unless a particular belief is directly relevant to a programme, office or ministry responsibility.

31Interpretation

Questions concerning the institutional interpretation of this Statement shall be determined by the Board in accordance with:

• Holy Scripture;
• the Foundation’s Christian mission;
• the Foundation’s constitution and governing documents;
• applicable law; and
• other duly adopted policies of the Foundation.

The Board may obtain theological, legal or governance advice where a matter presents substantial doctrinal or legal implications.

32Relationship With Other Foundation Policies

This Statement should be read together with the Foundation’s:

• Constitution and Bylaws;
• Code of Ethics;
• Conflict of Interest Policy;
• Whistleblower Policy;
• Safeguarding Policy;
• Non-Discrimination Policy;
• Financial Management and Investment Policies;
• Grant and Beneficiary Eligibility Policies;
• Data Protection and Privacy Policy;
• Anti-Fraud, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy; and
• other duly adopted governance policies.

Where an operational policy concerns matters outside doctrine, this Statement should not be interpreted in isolation from those policies.

Where any provision of an internal policy conflicts with mandatory applicable law, the applicable law shall prevail to the extent of the conflict, without unnecessarily abandoning the Foundation’s lawful Christian identity.

33Amendment

Because this Statement defines the spiritual identity of Shepherds Only Foundation, amendments should not be undertaken casually.

Any proposed amendment should receive careful consideration by the Board and, where appropriate, theological and legal review.

Amendments shall be made only through the procedure prescribed by the Foundation’s constitution, bylaws or applicable governance framework.

Where an amendment would materially alter the Foundation’s religious character, mission or charitable objects, the Board shall consider any regulatory, constitutional, donor, trust, endowment or other legal implications before adoption.

34Continuity of Mission

The Foundation intends that its Christian identity and charitable mission endure beyond its founders, current directors, officers, donors and beneficiaries.

No individual shall possess unilateral authority to redefine the Foundation’s fundamental religious character for personal, denominational, financial or political purposes.

The Foundation’s governing structures should preserve its mission for succeeding generations while permitting responsible administration and lawful institutional development.