POLICY:    Behavioral Covenant

Applies to:  All

Introduction: “In everything you do, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the law and the prophets”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Matthew 7:12

General:  As a community of faith founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, we are guided by this principle from Matthew that is at the center of all that he taught to his disciples. Therefore, as today’s faith community, let this be at the center of our new Behavioral Covenant here at the First Congregational Church of Georgetown.

          This “golden rule” will be bolstered by the core values of honesty, confidentiality, and acceptance as we live out Jesus’s invitation to be the body of Christ together. We will be honest with one another, holding confidences with compassion, and accepting of each other as fellow siblings of Christ. We will treat each other with respect.

We accept that understanding and respecting each other does not necessarily mean agreeing with each other. When we find ourselves facing disagreement and/or conflict, we will address the concern with the person individually. If needed, a neutral party can be involved. 

To best support our community we will each:

·        Listen with an open and non-judgmental mind, attempting to understand as to be understood.

·        Be mindful and respectful of time.

·        Support the final outcome of our congregational decision-making process.

·        Be respectful of cultural and traditional differences

Even as we understand that we each want what’s best for FCC, our views will differ on what we each believe to be “best”.  To that end, listening openly to other views, speaking honesty, practicing confidentiality, and acceptance of each other’s intrinsic value are vital as we strive to be faithful to Jesus’s teachings.

This covenant will inform our behavior in the wider community, as we practice hospitality and inclusion, especially when encountering cultural differences.

In a whole-hearted spirit of love and partnership, we will hold each other respectfully accountable as we aim to live into this covenant.