The Ness Lake Bible Camp code of conduct tells staff and camp workers to "avoid conduct that is unethical or immoral and to avoid behaviour that is contrary to biblical principles," including "premarital, extramarital or homosexual relationships."
Presumably, this is an encouragement to the individuals working at the facility to live in an ethical and moral manner according to scripture.
The Gospels are filled with encouragement from Jesus about how to live this way.
One Hope Ministries, the owners of the local camp and 41 others like it across Canada, certainly didn't need to come up with their own edict.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," (Matthew 7:12).
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another," (John 13:34-35).
"Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all," (Mark 10:43-44).
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven," (Luke 6:37).
For good measure, Jesus added in Matthew 7:3: "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?"
Christ was tolerant of many things, but clearly self-righteousness was not one of them.
If His own words are any indication, Jesus would have had little patience for the self-righteous tone of the camp's code of conduct.
There is an alternate reading of the camp code that is even more problematic. The policy may be seen as a warning for its employees and volunteers to steer clear of people who are unethical and immoral.
If that is the case, the code of conduct does not match both the words and actions of Jesus, who insisted on spending much of His time with the sinners of the world.
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance," (Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32, Matthew 9:13).
Put another way, the camp should be as welcoming to non-Christians and others who don't follow biblical principles as they are to their fellow believers.
Furthermore, they should err on the side of tolerance and acceptance of others, rather than their righteousness.
"The person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little," (Luke 7:47).
Regardless of how the bible camp's code of conduct is interpreted, it does not subscribe to Christian standards, both in its treatment of those who have not accepted Christ as their Saviour but also for those who have, like Julianna Ferguson.
The 17-year-old local girl has been a regular at the camp since she was in Grade 1 and has been a volunteer leader-in-training for the past three years, spending most of her summer at the camp.
Her recent Facebook posts in support of the LGBTQ community, however, were seen as violations of the camp code and her only options she was offered this year were jobs away from other campers, such as cleaning or working in the kitchen.
Ferguson has refused to change her beliefs and for the first time since she was a small girl, she will not be attending Ness Lake Bible Camp, a place she considers "a second home."
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied," (Matthew 5:6).
Ferguson's righteousness is Christ-like because her stance is in defence and service of the persecuted, rather than herself.
"I personally don't think God is going to condemn somebody just because they like the same gender, as long as they still have a righteous life and follow Him," she told The Citizen.
"At a place like that (the camp), everyone should be welcome and not have to watch what they say or watch what they do or who they are just because of what they identify as."
Those words sound like a young lady who has accepted both the words and the loving spirit of Christ into her heart.
"I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it," (Mark 10:15).
-- Managing editor Neil Godbout
