THE COVENANT

Recognizing that God is truth and that we discern truth through prayer and dialogue in community, and desiring to avoid untested assumptions about one another, we seek to understand our various theologies and opinions by committing time to listen and talk together with honest and mutual respect within any tension we may be experiencing, in order to live together in this Diocese, and that we work together to do the mission of Christ.

We will avoid pejorative labels for those who disagree with us.  Words such as apostate, homophobia, heretic, or fundamentalist do not edify our debates.

We will assume that those with different points of view also desire the best for the church.  We are all members of Christ’s Body.  Jesus “prayed that they may be one as we are one, in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17: 21-23).

We will not analyze the psychological or spiritual state of others.  Jesus called us not to judge.  We often forget the “others” in “that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1-2).

We will listen lovingly and carefully to what others say.

We will commit ourselves to pray for those who disagree with us and with whom we disagree.  Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5: 43-48).

Each member of the Bishop’s Council of Advise on Human Sexuality will have the opportunity to sign this Covenant.  The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade, Bishop, Diocese of Southeast Florida, hopes and prays that you will accept the Covenant as part of your own commitment to the life and work of this Diocese, holding out to our fellow Christians the olive branch of peace, promising your forgiveness and asking for theirs.