Our commitment to love and welcome
On campuses across Canada, as well as in the corporate world, there is a good desire to honour the unique experiences of each person by focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. As followers of Jesus, we believe we’re called to go deeper than honour: we’re called to love.
At Power to Change, we recognize that all people are created in the image of God and we affirm Christ’s call to love others as we love ourselves1. Thus we commit to treating others with love, respect, and regard for their value and dignity as persons2.
Because of this call to love, we renounce all forms of hate, malice, and harassment3. We believe in the importance of cultivating a safe and inclusive environment for all students and participants, regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities, religious background, and any other aspect of their identity. We strive to ensure that all students feel welcomed, respected, and included in our spaces and activities4.
We believe that each student brings unique gifts and perspectives to our community. We are committed to creating an environment where all students are able to be their authentic selves, while pursuing a deepening understanding of who God created them to be5.
We believe that people can be their authentic selves and align their lives with the teachings of Jesus. In fact, we believe that this is where flourishing is found. Thus out of love we welcome students as they are and we ask them to adhere to our Code of Conduct when they choose to step into leadership positions with Power to Change. This Code of Conduct is a call to honour Jesus with every area of life, such as friendships, habits, and daily needs. This call also includes stewarding the gift of sexuality: limiting sexual expressions of intimacy for marriage, a sacred covenant between one man and one woman6.
Power to Change – Students is seeking to continue to grow and go deeper in how we love every person. This is a journey, because there are inevitably gaps between understanding these things as concepts and living them out.
To describe some moments on our journey, here are examples of how we’re investing in growth so far. Our work is far from complete, but we are committed to it.
- Formalized Land Acknowledgements as a practice at national P2C-S events (2021) and added a Land Acknowledgement to our website (2022).
- Trained a majority of staff on an understanding of race, ethnicity, and power through “Lenses Reframed” (2020–2021).
- Created a Diversity and Student Experience Working Group, who hired an external consultant, The Center for Civic and Religious Literacy, to provide an audit of practices through focus groups and a report of recommendations (2021-2022).
- Offered Grace/Truth 1.0 and 2.0 to staff across Canada as a development and discussion opportunity (2021–2023).
- Provided funds for all staff to read books about racial reconciliation (2021).
- Offered the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to all staff leaders, including individual debriefs with registered IDI consultants (2022).
- Encouraged staff leaders to invest 50 hours to work on their Intercultural Development Proficiency plan from their IDI (2022–2023).
- Are working to train all our staff through Compassionate and Faithful, a course on how to grow in ministering to those who are 2SLGBTQIA+ (by Dec 2024).
On our journey, we welcome your feedback and accountability.
And we welcome you to walk with us. Whoever you are, come connect!
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- Genesis 1:27, Matthew 22:39
- 1 Peter 2:17
- 1 John 2:9
- James 2:1-4, Romans 15:7, Galatians 3:28
- Psalm 139:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:31-32