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OC Covenant What We Value

Mission Statement

As a community of surrendered followers of Jesus and with a commitment to expand His kingdom, Oklahoma Christian University educates, mentors and inspires learners to fulfill their God-given potential.

Vision Statement

OC is a Christ-centered university that’s personal, innovative, challenging and missional where students, faculty and staff find calling, career and community.

The OC Covenant

Oklahoma Christian University is a higher learning community that transforms lives for Christian faith, leadership and service.

The values and behavior of this Christian community are derived from the Bible, rather than the prevailing culture. Because we are a higher learning community dedicated to a distinctively Christian mission, we join together in a community covenant. This covenant is not a creed demanding strict belief in its veracity and inerrancy, and it is not merely an ideal to which we aspire; rather, it is a personal commitment that while we are members of this community, we will abide by the principles and ideals set forth in the covenant. The purpose of our covenant is to unite all of us at Oklahoma Christian University—students, staff, faculty, administration and Board of Trustees — in a Christian community which is based on biblical principles and which transforms lives for Christian faith, scholarship and service.

We recognize that the University is not the church; however, we are a Christian community which seeks to be guided by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in scripture. We welcome all students, regardless of their church affiliation, who agree to abide by this covenant. The University was founded by members of the churches of Christ and we seek to serve our church constituents effectively. Therefore, we expect all full-time faculty and staff to be faithful, active members of a local church and to fully embrace the principles of this covenant.

Our Foundation

  • God interacts with this world as both Creator and Savior (Genesis 1; Hebrews 1:1-3).
  • The Bible is God’s inspired word, which shows us the nature of God, the risen son, and the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
  • We seek to honor God by imitating the nature of God and his son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 13:13-17; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21).
  • As members of this Christian higher learning community, we are guided by specific principles set forth in the Bible (Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Our Call

  • God calls us to do our best in everything we do (Colossians 3:17; Colossians 3:23).
  • God calls us to submit our will to his (John 15:14; James 4:7; 1 John 2:17).
  • God calls us to submit to one another in love (1 Corinthians 10:23-24; Galatians 5:13-14; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3-4) and to show his love through the justice, mercy and faithfulness of our lives (Matthew 5; Matthew 23).
  • God calls us to live lives of holiness (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians. 4:7; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Our Community Life

  • We strive to honor the Lord and be Christlike in all of our conduct (Colossians 3:12-14; Titus 2:11-14).
  • We strive to demonstrate love and respect for everyone, even those who have views that differ from ours, and avoid conduct or language that is demeaning to others (Galatians 3:28; Philippians 2:3-4; James 2:1-13).
  • We strive to exercise our Christian freedom responsibly within the framework of God’s word, humbly submitting to others (I Corinthians 10:23-24; 31-33).
  • We strive to use wise stewardship of our mind, body, time, abilities and resources and make thoughtful, biblically guided choices in matters of behavior, entertainment and interpersonal relationships (Philippians 4:8).
  • We strive to practice honesty and integrity in everything we say and do (Colossians 3:9-10; Revelation 21:8).
  • We strive to treat our bodies with the honor due the temple of the Holy Spirit — honoring God’s plan that sexual relations be a part of a marriage between a man and a woman, dressing modestly and avoiding any self-destructive practices (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

For the sake of our personal influence and our life together in Christian community, we also agree to certain community standards of conduct which are not specifically set forth in the Bible, but which enable the community to operate peaceably and in harmony with these principles and with one another. These community standards are set forth in the Student Handbook, the Staff Handbook and the Faculty Handbook.

By choosing to be a part of the Oklahoma Christian University community, every member of the student body, staff, faculty, and Board of Trustees affirms his or her understanding of, respect for, and commitment to abide by the principles, and standards of conduct set forth in this covenant.

The OC Graduate

Since its founding in 1950, Oklahoma Christian University has sought to fulfill its mission to transform lives for Christian faith, scholarship and service. Educating and nurturing the heart, mind and soul, OC encourages its graduates to be like Jesus Christ, who “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Christian faith and scholarship, exhibited through academic and spiritual excellence, is the heart of the University’s mission. While students will pursue and attain this excellence to varying degrees, we identify here the qualities desired for all OC graduates.

The OC Graduate Knows

  • The liberal arts, which enrich life and prepare for the inevitable challenges, opportunities and changes of life.
  • The specialized knowledge, research methodologies, problem-solving strategies and practical skills that enable competent living in modern society and successful competition in the global marketplace.
  • How to communicate clearly and think independently, critically and creatively.
  • How to live and work harmoniously with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs without compromising truth.
  • The great themes and doctrines of the Bible, including the message of grace, the Lordship of Christ and the role of the church. Graduates will understand the comparative tenets of major worldviews and will be provided the tools and skills for thinking critically about and applying scripture to the issues of today.
  • The history and identity of a cappella Churches of Christ and their restoration heritage.

The OC Graduate is

  • Committed to intellectual and spiritual inquiry, nurturing the mind and spirit throughout life.
  • Devoted to Christ, seeking to emulate Him and embody the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
  • Dedicated to truth, righteousness and excellence in every facet of life.
  • A faithful steward of the blessings, resources and talents received from God.

The OC Graduate Believes

  • The Bible is the revelation of the nature and will of God, the incarnation of the son and the work of the Holy Spirit, and is the authority for Christian faith and practice.
  • Life has meaning only through a relationship with God, recognizing that the pursuit of knowledge in any field is ultimately a quest for understanding God and His creation.
  • Faith and learning are integral and cannot be separated with impunity.

The OC Graduate Lives

  • As a servant-leader in family, church, profession and community, making a difference for good in the world, both locally and globally.
  • With integrity, by acting consistently with beliefs and in covenant relationship with God.
  • In humble submission to God’s will, diligently serving him and all humanity by following the two greatest commandments: to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind,” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37 & 39)