Families from a wide range of denominations participate in this co-op. It is vital that we follow Christ’s example of humility and service to one another.

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 1-11

These principles dictate how we relate to each other and how the Steering Committee will seek to govern and serve.

Principle # 1: Respect for Authority

Respect for authority is one of the key character qualities of Christians. Submitting to authority means that you honor others and seek to obey all rules of the co-op.

Principle #2: Moral Purity

Moral purity refers to a healthy naivety or the lack of experience with the world. It is an innocence resulting from a lack of exposure and defilement. Innocence can be stolen from our youth which could begin to unravel the years of hard work and training by the conscientious homeschool parent. The CHEF Co-op expects all parents of the youth involved in the co-op to take steps to protect the sexual innocence of other youth enrolled. As much as it is within our power, the CHEF Co-op will support the parents who have trained their own youth by preventing the intrusion of moral perversion in the minds of all the youth involved.

Principle #3: Honesty

Honesty is a fundamental characteristic necessary to maintain relationships. It is the bridge of confidence and trust linking people together. The CHEF Co-op will be organized and run in an honest way. We expect the parents involved with the co-op to respond with honesty. We expect the youth enrolled in the classes to be honest. When a parent or student violates this principle, it damages the trust relationship in the co-op as a whole. Dishonesty, along with the related sins of lying, stealing, and cheating will not be tolerated. Please review the Homework and Plagiarism Policy in order to familiarize yourself and your family with the CHEF Co-op requirements and consequences for violating this principle.

Principle #4: Honor

Honor is a beautiful gift from God that is of great value in our children. This community seeks to uphold and encourage by God’s strength and power this beauty that our parents so deeply desire for their children. Scripture is filled with passages on honor. Before honor comes humility and a gracious woman attains honor. In any community, it is very easy to fall into slander which steals honor from individuals and the community as a whole. We desire our parents, students, and faculty to be honorable, not foolish.

Principle #5: Respect for peers

A respect for peers has two aspects. The first aspect is a restraining of the flesh. This involves self control so as not to damage others or be a burden to them. This loss could be in resources, educational value, and/or time. The second aspect is compassion. This involves the sensitivity and maturity necessary to call brothers and sisters to follow Christ’s example. We do not want our children to have a sense of self-centered “me-ism,” but one of other-centered “we-ism.” Both aspects of respect will be encouraged.

Principle #6: Respect for property

Respect for property is an expected practice of everyone in the co-op. The facility or building will be respected because we value the people who are letting us use it. The property of our teachers will be respected because we value our teachers. The property of all students will be respected because we value each student. Please review the building Use rules in order to familiarize yourself and your family with the requirements for respecting the Church’s property

Principle #7: Educational opportunity

This collaborative educational opportunity is a great value to each person involved. To be good stewards of God’s money we all want quality education. We expect our students to learn and value this opportunity. Because students should have a deep love of learning, we expect students to make every reasonable effort to be prepared for their weekly classes.

Failure to comply with these guidelines will jeopardize your privilege to participate in this co-op. The CHEF Steering Committee reserves the right to deny participation to any family or student.

Download the Guiding Principles

Download Statement of Faith for Teachers