Essential Commitments: Expected Response to Equality Riders

In their book, “Gracious Christianity: Living the Love We Profess” (1), Douglas Jacobsen and Rodney Sawatsky explore the principles of living as grace-filled Christians. They define grace as “a response to God’s love. Graciousness is how we externalize to others the grace we have internalized from God...” (pg. 18). “Graciousness requires thoughtfulness, self-awareness, and empathy. If our faith is true, knowing what we believe and why will ultimately increase our ability to listen to others with genuine fairness, respect, and compassion” (pg. 22).

These words are especially relevant to the Messiah College community in light of the upcoming April 13th visit of Equality Ride. While we did not seek this visit, and we disagree with Equality Ride’s interpretation of scripture as it relates to homosexuality, as a Christian institution of higher education, Messiah College is willing to address difficult contemporary issues through civil debate and discussion. Accordingly, the College has decided to respond to Equality Ride’s visit as an opportunity to model gracious Christianity and hospitality to those who express different viewpoints, to encourage meaningful campus conversation about a complex social issue, and to equip students to better understand human sexuality within a biblical framework.

It is our expectation that all community members – faculty, staff, students, administration – will exhibit the kind of gracious Christianity as described above, toward the Equality Riders and each other, especially on April 13th. It is also expected that community members will remember and act on our mutual commitments to the Messiah College Community Covenant to which we have agreed to:

• Respect one another, recognizing that we are all created in God's image and see all people as having intrinsic worth.
• Express our Christian values in responsible decisions and actions, expecting honesty in how we dialogue, and applying these values to our lives.
• Live out the teachings of scripture. Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
• Live lives characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
• Seek increased understanding of the Christian faith and applying that faith to specific disciplines and world problems.

To quote the words of President Kim Phipps regarding April 13th, "by modeling conviction and compassion, Messiah has a compelling opportunity to distinguish itself as an authentically Christian college during Equality Ride's visit. It is my hope that, guided by God's wisdom, we will be able to look back on Equality Ride's visit as a day that clearly embodied our commitment to exhibit gracious Christianity."

As members of the Campus Planning Team, we thank you for honoring your commitments.

John Addleman Professor of Psychology	Kris Hansen Kieffer Vice Provost & Dean of Students	Jeff Reczek Student Body President
Cindy Burger Department of Safety Director	Philip Lawlis Director of Engle Center	Kathie Shafer Vice President of Operations
Eldon Fry College Pastor	Beth Lorow Asst Dir. of Public Relations	Doug Wood Associate Dean of Students
Carla Gross Director of Public Relations

(1) Douglas Jacobsen and Rodney J. Sawatsky, Gracious Christianity: Living the Love We Profess ( Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006)