Philosophy of Community

Rochester University is a community of believers dedicated to the development of leaders in the Body of Christ. So that the Body is built up in love (cf. Ephesians 4:16) faculty, staff, and students encourage one another to be conformed to the image of Christ (cf. Romans 8:29). The primary model for relationships should be Jesus’ command to love one another (cf. John 15:12), which works itself out in full expression as the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (cf. Galatians 5:22, 23).

This community commits itself to live in unity, to put aside any deception or slander, and to edify one another to develop the fundamental attitudes and character necessary for leaders in the church and in the world (cf. Psalm 133; Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 4:1-5:21). In keeping with this commitment, Scripture compels us to voluntarily abstain from behaviors that are illegal, immoral, or unethical. (See the Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook for examples of such behaviors.)