Code of Conduct
Background:
The Faith Driven Movements is a non profit ministry, Faith Driven Movements, which includes Faith Driven Entrepreneur (FDE) and Faith Driven Investor (FDI). Our mission is to encourage and equip Christ following entrepreneurs and investors across the globe with world-class content and community. Faith Driven Movements is an inclusive and holistic approach to entrepreneurship and investing that doesn’t limit itself to particular methodologies but instead asks the core questions of what it means to be faithful as we lead organizations and place investment capital.
At its core, this movement is about the discipleship of its participants and receiving God’s love. As an outpouring of that, we then seek to steward treasure, time, and talent in a faith-driven manner. Without the radical heart transformation that comes from an encounter with the living God and ceding ownership of our life to Him, all of the following will crumble at the first challenge it encounters, and it’s advocates won’t be taken seriously by those inside or outside the Church. We believe that by stewarding His resources well, we come to know Him better and that others might as well.
Statement of Faith:
We affirm the Apostle’s Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Code of Conduct:
We recognize the importance of establishing a clear and transparent code of conduct with which we engage in relationship with each member, with colleagues and competitors in the business and financial services industries, and with the general public. As an entity working to promote faith driven entrepreneurship and investing, it is incumbent on us to set the highest standards and be exemplary in our relationships. We view the concept of faith driven business ownership and investing as acts of worship that seek to please and glorify God.
We accept the fact that working with Christians, and working to reflect Christian values means that we are responsible to strive to act as Christ perfectly demonstrated. However, we also acknowledge that there is diversity of thought within the Christian movement regarding how we live out that call. Therefore, we have the responsibility to avoid judgment of others and their approaches to investing or business operations. This Code of Conduct highlights the principles which members of the Faith Driven Family believe to be our reasonable expectations. The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.
Principle #1 - We will respect others’ rights and dignity.
We are a community that thrives in relationship with one another. We will respect that relationship with other members and their rights and opinions, just as we expect them to respect our rights and opinions.
We want to see impactful relationships and connections occur through participation in the Faith Driven Family. We ask that sensitivity in solicitation be maintained when interacting with fellow members. Unless individuals mutually agree, FDE/FDI members, attendees, relatives, or guests are prohibited from soliciting, promoting, or selling investments, services, or charitable contributions to other FDE/FDI members during an event or to use their affiliation with FDE/FDI to harass or disturb other FDE/FDI members after an event.
Principle #2 - We will act with Integrity.
As a member of the Faith Driven Family, we will strive to consistently act with integrity to our faith and to the principles of FDE/FDI. Knowing we serve a Master who observes all of our thoughts, motives, words, and actions, we will:
Act with integrity, competence, diligence, respect and in an ethical manner with every individual and organization we interact with personally and/or professionally
Place the integrity of the business or investment and the interests of clients above our own personal interests.
Maintain and improve our professional competence and strive to encourage and improve the competence of other business and investment professionals.
Principle #3 – We accept responsibility to our community and our society.
We will work to promote the Common Good of the Christian Faith. We believe we can have a tremendous impact for God’s Kingdom by widening the network of those that consider and act upon their Christian values in their work and in their finances. Members live by a high standard in all of the following areas of stewardship that apply to their lives:
Resource Stewardship – We use our material possessions, including money, to honor God and bless others, no matter how much we have.
Vocational Stewardship – We use our profession to honor God and bless others; live as a witness to the Gospel and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Enterprise Stewardship – We use our position as a business leader to care for our employees, co-workers, business partners, and those we interact with.
Environmental Stewardship – We use our intelligence and awareness as a citizen of God’s creation to care for and protect the earth, environment, and its inhabitants.
Gospel Stewardship – We use our personal testimony and story of salvation to share with others and lead them to belief in Jesus Christ.
Generational Stewardship – We use our position as a parent, elder, leader, or individual in a position of authority to teach, inspire, and encourage following generations to know Jesus and continue to live out His principles in the world.
Principle #4 – We accept the personal and professional responsibility of membership.
All Faith Driven Family members, understanding that integrating our faith into our business and investing practices is a complex and personal issue, reject the concept of a singular approach to Faith Driven Entrepreneurship/Investing, and discourage the practice of criticizing others in a judgmental way. Faith Driven Family members are committed to encouraging one another and sharing lessons learned in their Faith Driven journey.
Faith Driven Investor Marketplace
A unique part of the ministry of Faith Driven Investor is the Marketplace. To guide the community, there’s several guidelines you need to sign off on.
Investors:
Accredited Investor - In the future there may be other versions available to mainstream investors. To participate today you must be an Accredited Investor. I affirm that I am a sophisticated investor with personal or professional experience assessing the long term business prospects of investments that may contain a high degree of risk. I understand that investments available on the [Marketplace] are subject to a high likelihood of loss. In addition, if you are a citizen or resident of the United States, you must qualify as an “Accredited Investor” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, and be sophisticated enough to protect your own interests. We may ask you for information needed to confirm your status as an Accredited Investor, or to confirm other information about your status (for example, to confirm your identity), prior to allowing you to utilize the [Marketplace]. If you are located outside of the United States, you confirm that you are a sophisticated investor, with significant experience investing in high risk investments, including early stage transactions, and that you have the financial means to bear the loss of any investment made in a company seen on the [Marketplace].
Clear Expectations - You agree that you will be intentional in your conversations with potential investees. We understand that the investment process is different for every Investor, but we ask that you only pursue conversations with companies in which you have a legitimate interest in potentially investing, that you continue those discussions in a timely manner, and that you explicitly inform the potential investee company when you have decided whether or not to invest.
Confidential Information - All information that you’re accessing as an Investor is privileged and confidential. You’re accessing financials of the entrepreneur and you are committed to keeping this to you, your advisor and other investors on the network.
Entrepreneurs, Fund Managers and Partners
Truthfulness and Updating Information - All information that you upload to the Platform and that you provide with any potential information needs to be truthful. If information that you have previously provided becomes incorrect, or if your funding needs change or are fulfilled, you will update your information promptly and reach out to any investors still considering an investment to update them.
Communication - The Platform is established as a Marketplace for Investors to be able to review a wide variety of potential transactions and contact any companies that they are interested in. As a result, we ask that you not initiate contact with any Investor.
Confidential Information - All information that is on the site, including the identity of an Investor or Champion, is confidential. You agree not to share the identity with any such persons that are not publicly identified as part of the Faith Driven movement.
Violation of Code of Conduct
All Faith Driven Movement attendees and members agree to abide by the Code of Conduct. Faith Driven Movements takes the trust placed in us by our members seriously and we believe it is important to protect our members from “Bad Actors” or people who violate this Code of Conduct. FDE/FDI adheres to a Matthew 18 process for discipline if a member violates the Code of Conduct. In the case that one on one reconciliation is not initially possible, first time offenders of the Code of Conduct will be contacted by a member of FDE/FDI leadership and will be given the opportunity to reconcile the situation with both parties. If the situation is not reconciled, the offender will be asked to meet with the FDE/FDI leadership team and the offended party. If the offender is still unable to reconcile the situation or create resolution, the individual will no longer be in good standing/fellowship with Faith Driven Movements or permitted to attend Faith Driven events until a process of repentance and restoration occurs (in keeping with the Matthew 18 process).