Ready 2 Start Conscious Ministry checklist

for Serving New Thought's Prosperity Program

1. ___ I have filled out the Conscious Ministry Online Application form -- Click here for the form
2. ___ I have read the Serving New Thought web site -- http://servingnewthought.org/
3. ___ I have signed up for the Prosperity Newsletter -- Click here to go to sign up form.
   
4. ___ I am aware that ServingNewThought is a non-denominational ministry and as such does not participate in Spiritual Politics.
   1. I will not ask anyone working with ServingNewThought to do anything unethical
   2. this includes asking for special treatment for listings in FindACenter
   3. including the activation of links when no tithe has been sent in to support the listing that pertains to my center
   4. including altering the print style or listing to make the listing that pertains to my center stand out in contrast to other listings, i.e... all caps, fonts, special colors or sizes.
   5. including asking for the deletion of any listing within the directory including my own (which is detrimental to my Spiritual Community and New Thought Seekers who are searching for a spiritual community).
   6. I understand that gossip demonstrates a lack of Spiritual Evolution and I will not participate in gossip.
   7. I will not do anything unethical and will abide by the highest spiritual integrity.
   8. I understand that whatever is spoken about in training/support sessions is considered spiritual counseling and therefore
   9. I will not share anything that someone else may reveal about him/herself or attempt to find out about whatever has been said or not said in any other training session with anyone else.
   10. In the event that I gain access to privileged information, regardless of how, I will not share such information.
   11. I am not participating in this program to spy, to abscond with ideas or systems, or take advantage of others, including ServingNewThought and its ministers in any way.
   12. If I am participating in any ServingNewThought spiritual event including a chat-room, prayer circle, or talk, and a public person should show up at that event I will treat that person with respect knowing that he or she is on a spiritual path. If during the course of the event during prayer work or outside of prayer work an actor, radio personality, author or any other person with a public career should share personal details, I understand this is a spiritual event and will not pass on those personal details.
   13. I will not ask for autographs or other expressions of special acknowledgment that would cause a public personality to feel he or she is not in a loving place with people who accept him or her as a spiritual being who is on a Spiritual Path.
   14. I understand that networked ministers do not share their birth dates, home addresses, or last names because of security reasons and that it is impolite to make personal inquiries. This is a professional program and not a dating service. It is also unethical to attempt to pry into personal lives of other spiritual leaders. Sexual orientation, status of marriage, parenthood, and other personal details are not appropriate subjects. These guidelines are in place due to past incidents that are rare, however this is now part of the guidelines to insure that ministers who are participating in your support are assured of their security and privacy.
   15. I understand that I need to do my homework and participate with an open, joyful and professional attitude; that I am participating in a mentorship program which means I am being trained to the things I wish to do. Thus my mentor minister is not my webmaster or doing a service for me. I am not paying for a service and thus there is no customer/client to vendor/service provider relationship.
   16. That I realize that to effectively learn anything I must do my assignments and attend my sessions punctually without expecting special treatment elevating me above my peers such as rescheduling classes except when absolutely necessary and with sufficient advance notice (2 weeks) because to do otherwise is to deprive other New Thought Sharers of their opportunities to receive tutelage and is demonstrative of egoistic behavior patterns that are unbecoming of a New Thought Sharer.
   17. I will not do anything unethical such as trying to get special treatment in order to get around the guidelines of ServingNewThought (which is another way of hurting my colleagues and peers.) or trying to remove copyright notices, or use materials from the custom templates on servers outside the Serving New Thought system.
   18. I will not try to remove, distort or otherwise hide any of the notices at the bottom of each page which inform other New Thought Ministries of this program and the fact that they can get hosting, training and the use of a wonderful web design while in the program.
   19. I understand that these notices are not commercial notices and are not put there for the benefit of Serving New Thought but are notices that inform other ministries so that they can participate in the program. Since New Thought ministries can send in annual "letters of need" to access the resources for free, it logically follows that these notices are for the general benefit of the New Thought community and not for commercial gain.
   20. That to get answers, I need to ask questions and through this method relate to my mentor ministers when I am having a challenge understanding any particular issue that I am facing and that I should not allow myself to feel that I cannot ask a question or ask for help about whatever is facing me. That my mentor ministers love me and want me to succeed and that whatever "silly", "ignorant" or "stupid" questions that I may have were asked by my mentor ministers when they were mentored and thus they are actually valid and useful questions.
   21. That the mentorship I am receiving is designed to impart the necessary understanding for me to master the challenges I am facing and that I can use the knowledge acquired to resolve the issues that confront me and thereby demonstrate my mastery of any digital situation in front of me including changing dns & mx records, doing email marketing, using messengers, VOIP, creating and using Facebook or Twitter accounts and using email marketing. Thus I save time, money, & energy and thereby can more easily support the transformation of world consciousness.
   22. The purpose for this Ready2 Start checklist is trainees/mentees to be able to easily begin the program and understand the relationship between mentee and your mentor or if one becomes a mentor between you and your mentees. Various points have been added over time to provide clarity. Some of the points in this document have been developed to provide guidelines in response to the occasional and quite rare unethical and inappropriate behavior of certain participants in the program: ministers and others.
   23. We don't like to have to write things out like this, but unfortunately it is necessary. Those who complain the loudest about having to read and fill in this and the other forms are quite often the very ministers who need this clarification the most. 20 years ago we didn't think such forms were necessary. Over two decades, we have learned they are necessary even for graduates of New Thought Seminaries and institutes.
       
       
5. ___ I understand the above and know that this is not meant to impinge upon any personal relationships that I may develop during the course of my training.
6. ___This checklist may also be referred to as a Terms of Service, and may be viewed in tandem with the corresponding Terms of Use for any web site accessed during or outside this program. It has evolved over the years to insure clarity of expectations on the part of all parties involved in the Conscious Ministry program.
7. ___ I understand that if my mentor minister or other ministers do things to support my ministry, it is not because I am a customer/client, but because they love & care for me wanting me to be successful in my ministry and thereby be able to better support the transformation of world consciousness.
   
8. ___ I am aware that ServingNewThought ministries in conjunction with wonderful Spiritual Leaders around the world provides High Quality Designs, Free Hosting and Training on a tithing and donation basis. That in the case of templates provided by denominations those belong to the denominations and may only be used by their members. Templates provided by us are licensed to be used on our servers and belong to us, this includes all scripting, flash and any designs and artwork created by our team or licensed by us, to us, or for us. We provide templates to support ministries and they may use them under our license as long as they remain within the server system that we provide. We do not provide templates for them to be used off our servers.
9. ___I understand that templates may not be removed from the ServingNewThought server system, duplicated, sold, or absconded with in any way.
10. ___ I understand that it is my responsibility to purchase and continue paying for any domains that I acquiire for my ministry and that it is not ServingNewThought's responsibility to acquire or pay for my domain names.
11. ___ I understand that my domain name is not my website. These are two distinct and separate things. My domain is a vehicle to arrive at my website which is hosted on a particular server.
12. ___ I understand that my payment for my domain name goes to whatever registrar that I have chosen to acquire my domain from. Payment for domains and administration of them is between me and my registar, that although ServingNewThought may train me to adminster my domain(s) but this does imply any responsiblity on the part of ServingNewThought for my domain adminstration.
13. ___ I understand that in certain cases, ServingNewThought may allow me or my ministry to use a domain name that belongs to ServingNewThought. Use of domains that were acquired by ServingNewThought or any of its partners or staff is a privilege and me or my ministries' use of said domains is predicated on following the guidelines provided by ServingNewThought. Such New Thought domains must be used to promote New Thought and may not be used for commercial purposes that defeat the intent of using such names for the general welfare of the New Thought movement.
14. ___ In the event that my ministry collapses or I discontinue my ministry for any reason, then any continued use of web services, or domains is at the discretion of Serving New Thought.
15. ___ I understand that I am participating in a mentorship, training program which is designed to empower me as a spiritual leader. This program is designed to teach me how to do things, not to simply provide me with free web services or web mastery.
    
16. ___ I am aware that ServingNewThought is the only non-denominational ministry which supports me and all of New Thought with New Thought News and Resources such as
    • the only Universal New Thought Directory System, a New Thought News Resource with multiple mirrors around the world
      --known variously as -- FindACenter.com / UnityCenters.com / CentersForSpiritualLiving.com, MetaphysicalCenters.com, NewThoughtCenters.com, et al.
    • the only well organized free New Thought Library -- NewThoughtLibrary.com
    • numerous other resources that support my center and all of New Thought including TheGospels.org and DivineTao.com
    • A partial list of the Resources that support our New Thought Center is at SpiritualResources.org
      
      
17. ___ I realize that we need to go to & link to the above resources and to SpiritualResources.org which lists additional resources. Such resources support my center, bring more New Thought Seekers to our center and other New Thought Centers and provide crucial support to seekers and sharers worldwide.
18. ___I am aware that over the years, since its inception, Serving New Thought has tithed from 37 to 53 hours of work and care to each New Thought Center listed in the Universal Directory unless it is a brand new center. That each year, this sum grows due to the immense amount of work that goes into the Universal Directory of New Thought Centers and this does include the work that goes into the other resources.
19. ___That this directory is the only Universal directory of New Thought Centers, Churches and communities in the world and provides a vehicle for spiritual seekers to find any New Thought Center around the globe and that this work has proven essential to the growth of New Thought from a set of divided groups and centers which variously and individually participate in different denominations and membership organizations to a family of wonderful organizations that are treated with equal love and compassion and supported such that all of their contributions to the resources and support for New Thought Seekers around the world can be simply and lovingly recognized.
    
20. ___ I understand that it is important to practice the Prosperity Principles I teach and have subscribed to the minimum $75 annual tithe which is a basic support for certain New Thought News resources such as FindACenter.com, the Universal New Thought directory and the other news resources that enable people to find centers and arrive on time at those centers. ServingNewThought.org/tithe.htm or to learn about New Thought teachings and classes.
    
21. ___I know that the directory tithe supports the directory and that in addition to the annual directory tithe, I should pledge to tithe an additional amount ranging from $1 to $5 per day. These voluntary tithes support the New Thought Library and other Spiritual Resources which are enabling people around the world to read seminal New Thought works and thus eventually arrive at my center or join a new thought denomination.
22. ___My pledge to support these resources which support me is $_________ per day.
23. ___I understand that donations are greatly appreciated, and are different from tithes. A donation is a single contribution that is not recurring, whereas tithes are subscriptions to a regular donation which happens monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or yearly on a continuous basis.
24. ___I therefore realize that if I have not subscribed to a regular donation, or subscription, that it is still necessary to send a "letter of need" which simply states that my center is not able to subscribe to a regular, ongoing tithe at this time and yet would like access to the free hosting.
25. ___I understand that if I choose charity and not prosperity, I will not be able to access all resources which support the Prosperity Ministers who are supporting me and all of New Thought by insuring the growth and maintenance of the Resources partially listed on SpiritualResources.org unless I send in annual letters of need for both the hosting and respectively for each additional resource that I wish to use.
26. ___ I am aware that my voluntary tithes are supporting the resources that support me, my center and all New Thought Seekers and Sharers.
    • I am aware that all tithing is voluntary
    • that even if I am enmired in poverty consciousness and cannot afford to tithe at this time and can only pledge at this time, I will still be trained.
    • that I am worthy and loved and Dr. Avalon, Peter, Rev. Dr. Alisha, Rev. Jacqui and the other ministers of Serving New Thought are here to support me in my Spiritual Journey so that I can better serve and support the members of my Spiritual Community and New Thought Seekers.
      
      
27. ___I understand that Serving New Thought is training me so that I can better serve my ministry and my spiritual community. I am not participating in Conscious Ministry or any of the ServingNewThought Support programs under any pretext and have a solid commitment to my spiritual community and the transformation of Global Consciousness.
28. ___I am aware of the immense work and care that this training entails, that it is a significant investment in me and as such it is important for me to demonstrate a professional attitude and an attitude of gratitude which includes doing my homework and working on my web site with the knowledge acquired, sharing my good fortune with others and letting them know about this program regardless of their New Thought denomination, or independence. One way that this is done is through the notices at the bottom of each page.
29. ___ I understand that Serving New Thought is providing this mentorship to empower me so that I can learn how to be a more effective leader by understanding technology. The program is designed so that I can learn how to do the things which are necessary to have a better web, or better email marketing, email, networking, voice-over IP, etc...
30. ___ I am aware that Serving New Thought is a ministry and that my colleagues are supporting me to learn what I need to do to have a better web. The web site that I use in the program may not work in the same way as any previous web site I have had, but it is my responsibility to grow and learn both from my colleagues and on my own to insure that my web does everything I want it to do. My colleagues are not performing as employers or a service for hire. They are doing their best to bring me to a higher standard of compassion and professionalism by sharing their knowledge with me and I am expected to do the same with other ministers in the future. We provide all this love and training to ministers for free. We do not sell services or support.
31. ___I am not enrolling in this program just to get free services or abscond with a web design or any custom design work.
32. ___I am not enrolling in this program to steal information or acquire knowledge for personal profit or to duplicate any of the services offered through Serving New Thought.
33. ___I am aware that stealing information or duplication of services constitutes a violation of copyright and even in the case of non-profit entities is considered corporate espionage and as such is punishable by federal law and will result in prosecution and financial penalties.
34. ___I am not involved in any criminal activity. I have never been convicted of a sex crime or white collar crime and understand that it is important to be ethical and abide by a code of conduct including acting with honour & integrity while guided by wisdom ways and compassion.
35. ___ I am enrolling in this program to become digitally empowered which means that when I want to do something with my web, I will ask for a session to learn that which I wish to learn understanding that my mentor ministers are ministers like me who are helping me and not professional web masters selling me a service. I am aware that custom designs and scripting are for my use for the duration of my time on the Serving New Thought server network but they are not for use outside the network. I may not take any design or scripting with me without express written permission from Serving New Thought ministries and all the parties involved with the production of said template, designs or scripting.
36. ___I understand that I must purchase any necessary software for this program, or use freeware available through the internet such as GIMP. Any trials that I download or access by any means may not be hacked or cracked and I should not try to secure the assistance of any networked ministers to support me in such an endeavor. Most companies will provide software to non-profits and students and educators at a discount. It is up to me to avail myself of such opportunities to insure that the software I am using is up to date and valid.
37. ___ If I am using a template provided by or supporting any denomination or supporting my ministry with any logos or "branding" that supports said denomination or organization, I affirm and swear that I am indeed a member of said denomination or organization and not misrepresenting myself as such. I understand that if I choose to abandon or leave a denomination and become independent that if I am using a template which indicates that I am a member of a particular denomination, or have any such "branding" it is incumbent upon me to remove such "branding" and if necessary to ask for a new template so that I do not confuse anyone about my new independent status.
38. ___ If I am using a "branded" template created by ServingNewThought, (such as the csl-2012 or the Unity-2012 template), I understand that whereas the branding belongs to whatever denomination the web design / template is supporting, the structure, design, scripting and other elements belong to ServingNewThought and therefore such templates may only be used on the ServingNewThought server. If I leave the ServingNewThought server system, I must acquire a new template from a different source.
39. ___ I understand that my note taking style is for me to master, meaning I will take notes on my own time or obtain permission to record the sessions so that I can transcribe notes and not slow down a class. Whether in a one on one session or in a conference call, it is my responsibility to take notes in the same manner that I would in a University Seminar or Pro-Seminar and thus I will not make it a habit to ask my professor to repeat something because I did not write it down.
40. ___In the event that I record any conversation, session, lecture or communication with any member of Serving New Thought, I understand that all such recorded utterances have a copyright on them by Serving New Thought and the Serving New Thought instructor, minister, practitioner or volunteer.
41. ___I understand that permission must be obtained to share such recording with anyone, including sale, resale, distribution or sharing such a recording with an individual, individuals, groups, churches, centers, public or private.
42. ___I understand that the FCC protects the privacy of telephone conversations by requiring notification before a recording device is used to record interstate or foreign telephone conversations. Notification must be made in each instance. These types of conversations may not be recorded unless the use of a recording device is:
    • Preceded by verbal or written consent of all parties to the telephone conversation; or
    • Preceded by verbal notification which is recorded at the beginning, and as part of the call, by the recording party; or
    • Accompanied by an automatic tone warning device, sometimes called a beep tone, which automatically produces a distinct signal that is repeated at regular intervals during the course of the telephone conversation when the recording device is in use.
    • Also, no recording device may be used unless it can be physically connected to and disconnected from the telephone line or switched on and off.
      
      
43. ___ I understand that these requirements may evolve and that I should evolve to overcome any challenge placed before me as this is the essence of New Thought.
44. ___ This program is designed for center leadership. It is not intended to train general membership of centers. Training of anyone other than the senior minister requires that a center is demonstrating an understanding of ServingNewThought's ministry and programs as well as meeting the minimum tithing Status for such support.
45. ___I understand that if our center is given permission to have someone other than our spiritual leader trained, we must pledge to tithe a minimum tithe for at least 5 years.
46. ___ All participants must print out, fill in and submit this form understanding that this is an honor system and participants are expected to behave with honour and dignity and not use this program as an opportunity to abuse their colleagues or game the system.
47. ___ I will participate in all classes and activities including sending in tithes or submitting letters of need to use whatever resources I desire to use to build my ministry.
48. ___ Participation in this program is a privilege. There are no excuses for disrespectful behavior including behavior which interferes with any participant's full participation or the functioning of the program.
49. ___ It is up to me to occasionally come here and refresh my understanding of my commitment when necessary. This agreement may be modified to meet evolving needs and thus if necessary I will return to this page occasionally and refresh my understanding of it.
50. ___ If I discontinue my tenure as the spiritual leader of my ministry, but my ministry continues beyond my tenure as Senior Minister, the responsible parties continuing my ministry must fill out this form and it must be received for them to be granted continued web support.
51. ___ I am aware that at times I may be required to refill and resubmit this form, for instance if I am in Charity Status or if I miss 2 appointments in a row for whatever reason. I understand that this requirement is due to various participants violating the honor code and thus I am conscious and aware of my responsibilities to live by New Thought principles and demonstrate honor, maturity, compassion and kindness in all my transactions with Serving New Thought and any New Thought colleague I meet through Serving New Thought regardless of their denomination or independent status, or which New Thought Institute, Seminary or program they attended.
52. ___ The New Thought Webmaster Certificate is granted to those individuals who demonstrate both mastery of the materials, ability to perform various updates and operate under supervision, as well as independently accomplishing support for their respective center and for websites that support New Thought seekers and sharers.
53. ___I understand that New Thought is primarily about consciousness and not about the accumulation of credentials and I am not attending this program to simply accrue another credential and that all New Thought leaders regardless of national origin or primary language are worthy of respect, kindness, and understanding.
54. ___I understand that I am being trained to support my Spiritual Community and that this training represents a significant investment in me as an individual. I am being trained as a volunteer and thus it follows that I cannot charge my spiritual center or New Thought organization for any updates or web work I do. Serving New Thought is a ministry not a company and part of our work is to provide New Thought Spiritual Communites and Organizations with New Millennium communication tools to increase their outreach and thereby support the positive transformation of World Consciousness. It would not be logical or ethical for me to get free training from Serving New Thought then turn around and charge my Spiritual Community or Organization for website updates or any other web services.
55. ___I understand that Serving New Thought is not a private school, that I may take this course privately outside of ServingNewThought such as through SchoolOf.com for the same cost as regular professionals but that such tutelage will not be provided by Serving New Thought and Serving New Thought does not endorse or certify any particular program. Information may be provided about such private programs or tutelage, but it is up to me to make my own decisions as to where I go to school.

Copyright © 2002, 2004, 2007, 2011 by Serving New Thought & Conscious Ministry (vers. 4.24)