In our baptism as Christians, we have committed our lives to following the example, life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In Baptism, we have been given the gift of grace: a covenant relationship with God in Christ. Every time a Baptism is celebrated, the gathered church is called to reaffirm their own Baptismal vows, and to renew their commitment to live as a people of that covenant. We are bound by the vows of our Baptism, and our membership in the Body of Christ.
The vows that follow represent the common calling of every Baptized person in the Diocese of Spokane, calling us to a Christ-centered way of living. Each of these vows demands something from us, and bears directly on the way our sexuality is meant to be a gift of love, and not sin.
- Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
In order to keep this vow, it is essential to acknowledge the God-given value of every person, and to refuse to tolerate any vexatious or exploitative conduct or comment that might prevent a person from fully, safely, freely and joyfully participating in the regular learning, fellowship, worship and prayer of the Church. Our call is to draw people to Christ, to become a part of the Christian story and people. To misuse sexuality is to deny the possibility of keeping the above vow.
- Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
As the misuse of sexuality has the enormous potential to alienate people from God, one another, and even themselves (in other words, to be the cause of tremendous sin in human life and relationship), the Church has a special responsibility to persevere in resisting any teaching or conduct which would abuse the sacred nature of the gift of sexuality and sexual expression. In fact, the Church has a responsibility to call people away from such conduct or teaching, and back to the teachings of Christ and the way of life. Further, the Church has a responsibility to understand and to be clear about the relationship between sexuality and power, and to acknowledge that where an imbalance of power exists in a relationship, genuine consent to sexual expression cannot exist.
- Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
More positively, the Church has a responsibility to teach a theology of sexuality and sexual conduct as a part of the Good News of the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus Christ. In other words, sexual integrity, and the joyful, exciting, life-giving expression of the same, is to be found as one possible healthy part of life in Christ. In this context, and within the proper relationship, sexuality has the ability to reflect most beautifully the depth of love possible in relationship with God.
- Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Sexuality is central to our being and permeates all our relationships. And yet, it is “sacred ground,” profoundly personal in nature. How we express our sexuality – be that expression emotional, physical, or spiritual – is a reflection of how we live in relationship with God and one another. God values sexuality, as part of who we are, as good, blessed and purposeful. To be faithful, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, is to hold sexuality in the sacred web of love and covenant. To violate another person, especially sexually, violates both our relationship with that person, and with God.
- Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
It is incumbent upon Christians to take very seriously any circumstance in which sexual abuse is suspected or reported. It is important for justice to be carried out with thoroughness, care, and expedience, to provide a foundation for restoration of peace and healing. To establish justice and peace, we must protect those who are vulnerable, especially where there is an imbalance of power in a relationship. We must work for the healing of victims, their families, and congregations whenever sexual mistakes, indiscretions or abuse may occur. We must also take seriously our ministry of healing and restoration to offenders.