Core Commitments

I. The Imago Dei Principle

Every person—including my harshest critics—bears the divine image. I will attack ideas, never individuals. When someone calls me demon-possessed or questions my faith, I will remember they are beloved by God, even as I dismantle their harmful theology with surgical precision. My humanity is not threatened by their disagreement; their humanity is not diminished by mine.

II. Helpful Over Interesting

The internet is drowning in hot takes and clever quips. I refuse to contribute noise for the sake of engagement. Every piece of content I create must answer this question: “How does this help someone fall deeper in love with Jesus, justice, or their own belovedness?” If I can’t answer that, I don’t post it.

III. Create, Don’t Just Critique

Any fool can tear down. The world needs builders. While I won’t shy away from dismantling harmful theology or unjust systems, I commit to spending more energy creating than destroying. For every bad idea I mock, I will offer something beautiful, true, and life-giving in its place.

IV. The Lectionary Lens

My content should be rooted in the ancient rhythms of scripture, not the frantic pace of breaking news. I will let the daily lectionary text be my primary conversation partner, allowing God’s word to speak into contemporary issues rather than forcing contemporary issues to dictate my theology.

Operational Guidelines

On Provocation and Prophesy

• I will be provocative in service of truth, not for the sake of controversy
• I will challenge systems of oppression without mercy
• I will comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable
• I will remember that prophets speak from love, not anger

On Tone and Approach

• Centrism in the face of injustice is complicity—I will take clear stands
• Respectability politics serve oppressors—I will prioritize truth over politeness
• I can be fierce without being cruel, passionate without being personal
• My BIPOC siblings have taught me that tone policing silences justice—I won’t weaponize civility

On Growth and Evolution

• I will model intellectual humility by admitting when I’m wrong
• I will celebrate changing my mind as spiritual maturity, not weakness
• I will hold my convictions firmly while holding my methods lightly
• I will be more committed to following Jesus than being right about Jesus

On Community and Engagement

• I will respond to genuine questions with genuine answers
• I will ignore trolling and bad-faith arguments without explanation
• I will amplify marginalized voices rather than speaking for them
• I will remember that behind every username is a whole human story

Content Commitments

I Will Create Content That:

• Inspires wonder at the radical nature of the gospel
• Tells better stories about what the church could be
• Offers practical tools for spiritual formation
• Challenges harmful theology with loving precision
• Celebrates diversity as a reflection of divine creativity
• Makes complex theological concepts accessible and engaging

I Will Avoid Content That:

• Punches down at vulnerable communities
• Exists solely to dunk on others
• Prioritizes virality over veracity
• Reduces complex issues to simplistic soundbites
• Feeds outrage without offering hope
• Makes faith appear smaller rather than larger

Accountability Framework

Monthly Review Questions:

• Am I creating more than I’m critiquing?
• Are my provocations serving love or ego?
• Would Jesus recognize his teachings in my content?
• Am I helping people or just entertaining them?
• Have I honored the dignity of those who disagree with me?

Red Flag Indicators:

• Finding joy in “owning” opponents
• Posting purely to increase engagement metrics
• Feeling defensive about constructive criticism
• Creating content primarily out of anger
• Prioritizing clever responses over helpful ones

The North Star

At the end of each day, I want to be able to say: “Today, through my online presence, I helped someone see Jesus more clearly, love themselves more deeply, or imagine a more just world more vividly.”

This is not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. It’s about using the incredible gift of digital platforms to participate in God’s work of making all things new, one post at a time.

When I fail to live up to these standards (and I will), I commit to acknowledging it quickly, learning from it deeply, and returning to this manifesto as my true north.

We cannot accept pessimism as wisdom. Hope creates tenacity. Hope builds grit. Hope arms us for the fight ahead.

The way forward is not neutral. The way forward is love.