Ethics statements for Out of the Boat and Rev Joy Gonnerman
Ethics are contextual and sometimes require an immediate response. My ethical choices will be guided by their reflection of the triune God: creator, redeemer and advocate. My default is critical thinking, and on my faith to illuminate the concern at hand as reflected in written, spoken and posted content. First and foremost, I will reflect a Christ more interested in service than power, in kindness than threat, in courage than indifference and in radical love more than in popularity.
My public theology will:
Remember my affirmation of baptism and ordination vow to:
+ To live among God’s faithful people,
+ To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
+ To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
+ To serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
+ And to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, a first century Palestinian Jew, I will follow where he leads, and advocate for those in the margins and the shadows, the sick and imprisoned, the stranger in the land, the hungry and thirsty, and will consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field
I will regard individuals as fellow beloved children of God and the earth as our responsibility to steward on God’s behalf by:
· Using person first language
· Embrace diversity, equity and inclusion so that all are seen, heard and given access
· Refrain from violent or shaming language
I will regard systems (brood of vipers) by their ability to serve the common good for the flourishing of all life by identifying:
· Malfunctioning theologies that misrepresent God, Jesus and the Spirit.
· Systems that objectify or disregard those affected.
And by:
· Intentionally provoking conversation around issues of conflict
· Providing advocacy for and comfort to those victimized by unjust systems. I will stand with the harmed, not the harmful.
I will call out privilege where it contradicts or thwarts the common good. I will offer my privilege to draw attention to and offer space for but not appropriate the stories, histories and cultures of others.
I will not use images, words or ideas that are not my own without giving credit.
I will share, post, publish and speak truth that is witnessed or researched and verified.
